Smallholding & Countryside Festival - 100 days to go!

Today marks exactly 100 days until the first RWAS event of the year, The Smallholding & Countryside Festival. Having been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic this will be the first Smallholding & Countryside Festival since 2019, and the Society is excited to welcome visitors back to the Showground this coming Spring.

Taking place from 21^st-22^nd May, the weekend-long event is a celebration of rural life and country living with smallholding pursuits at its heart. With a full packed programme of livestock and equine competitions, displays and activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy. This year we welcome garden expert and TV presenter Charlie Dimmock to present a talk on Wildlife and Water on Saturday, so be sure to grab a ticket here for this fantastic event!

The Festival is a showcase of the real diversity of the Welsh countryside and a great day out for young families, countryside dwellers and anyone with an interest in the great outdoors. There is plenty on offer for you to see and learn at this year’s event. Whether you’re looking for some inspiration for your garden, to gain insight for a new business venture, or are hoping to improve your skills and knowledge of smallholding life, the Festival is the place to be.

The Smallholders Centre will continue to be the main port of call for those wanting to learn more about the smallholder’s way of life. As in previous years, there will be useful information and talks to get involved in, and the ‘Smallholder Hub’ – a social area to meet other smallholders, share knowledge and gain advice for those just getting started. The Smallholders Centre will be the ideal place to stock up on the essentials from the agricultural and smallholding themed tradestands – whether you are after a couple of chickens to add to your flock, a new bucket or perhaps a piece of machinery, you’ll be sure to find what you need at the event.

The Display Ring will be jam-packed with displays for your entertainment, including show jumping, scurry driving, dog displays and BMX Bikes. The Welsh Festival of Landrovers will showcase their selection of vintage vehicles with the Parade of Landrovers and Meirion Owen returns with his ever-popular Quack Pack.

All of the usual attractions and areas will once again be here for you to enjoy. Explore the Country Life Area, featuring the bandstand, Premier Open Dog Show, forestry competitions, country and sports activities and the British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC) competitions and demonstrations. Discover The Wool Zone, hosting wool handling competitions, tradestands and demonstrations including blade shearing, spinning and weaving. Other attractions include the Vintage Flea Market, Craft and Education Hall and British Army activities.

It wouldn’t be a Royal Welsh event without showcasing the best food and drink produce that Wales and the border counties have to offer! Come sample the delicious goods in the renowned Food Hall or take a break and grab some lunch at our Street Food area.

Want to exhibit or take part in the competitions?

• Livestock & Equine entries – open 1^st March, close 4^th April 2022.
• Wool handling competition – open 22^nd March, close 29^th April 2022.
• Premier Open Dog Show – Entries open now. Postal entries close 11^th April, and online entries close 3^rd May 2022.

Visit our Festival page for information or details on how to enter. More details on competitions and schedules will be released in due course.

Tickets for the Smallholding and Countryside Festival are now on sale here. An adult day ticket costs £16, a child ticket costs £5 (age 5-16) and children under 5 go free.

For more information on the event please visit our website at www.rwas.wales / www.cafc.cymru.