I love a good county show. Funny looking rare-breed animals, competitive WI flower displays and costumed re-enactments all washed down with a local cider or two – it’s what the great British summer is all about.
We’ve been going to Chertsey Show in Surrey on and off for the last 10 years – it takes place annually on the second weekend in August and makes a great summer day out with the kids. We’ll be heading there this Saturday and here’s what’s on offer:
What: The only agricultural show within the M25 and the largest in Surrey featuring jousting, dog, donkey, horse and pet shows, farm animals, horticulture tent, craft & food marquees and classic cars to name a few…
Where: Chertsey Meads, Chertsey, Surrey, just off junction 11 of the M25, Saturday August 8 & Sunday August 9 from 8.30am
How much: Adults (14+): £10, children under 14: free (brownie points for generous age range), OAPs & concessions: £7. Dogs welcome.
It’s not often there’s an event that appeals to all of us in equal measure, so when there is I know it’s going to be a good day out. Chertsey Show boasts baking and flower competition entries for me to marvel at, cute animals, rides and ice creams for BB and Little B and we can park Misery Guts in one of the several beer tents and know he’ll be quite happy.
The show, now in its 172nd year, is renowned for its jousting contest where eye candy actors dressed as medieval knights charge at each other and ‘miss’ – it’s a spectacle well worth bagging a front row bench for.
Then there’s a variety of tents and marquees housing everything from the annual pet show (you can even enter your stick insect) to rare-breed hens and goats and more locally sourced food and crafts than you can shake a stick at.
The showground is big enough for there to be lots to entertain everyone for several hours, but small enough that you don’t walk miles resulting in Misery Guts everyone getting ratty and over tired.
My top tips: Arrive after 3pm and entry is often half price. The Crown Hotel in London Street is worth a visit if you don’t have to rush home, and I’d recommend taking an all-terrain buggy as the whole site is on grass which can get quite muddy if it’s wet.
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