Just days to go before the region's biggest show brings a 'World of Forest Fun' to the New Forest

There are now just days to go before the region’s biggest show opens its doors to welcome around 95,000 visitors to a ‘World of Forest Fun’.

The New Forest and Hampshire County Show returns next week from Tuesday July 30 to Thursday August 1.

This year’s show is shaping up to be one of the best ever, with unmissable performances from Bolddog FMX, the UK’s number one motorbike stunt team, and Motionhouse Dance, combining dance, acrobatics and circus to wow crowds.

The show will showcase the best of the New Forest and Hampshire with over 2,500 animals, from horses to cattle, sheep, donkeys, birds, bees and many more.

Hundreds of businesses will showcase their products with the show’s ‘Festival of Food’ a ‘must not miss’ for all foodies.

Kids won’t have a moment to get bored as they ride bikes, gasp at the falcons, try baking, admire the exploits of the famous ‘Axemen’, marvel at showjumping and watch the blacksmiths battle it out.

Also, for music fans, new for 2024 the show will be welcoming local bands to the main stage to entertain the crowds.

Denis Dooley, the New Forest Show’s Chief Executive, said: “This year’s show really shouldn’t be missed, our 40 acres of showground is going to be packed with exciting displays, performances and activities for the whole family to get involved with.”

With the weather forecast looking promising, tickets are still available but selling fast from www.newforestshow.co.uk

To help plan your day, show organisers have issued a ‘Top Ten’ of attractions:

• Bolddog FMX Motorbike Display: This years’ Main Ring attraction is Bolddog FMX Motorbike Display which can be seen twice a day in the Happy Hot Tubs East Ring.
• Culture in Common: Located in the Community Area, watch Motionhouse showcase their gravity-defying dance-circus production WILD, exploring humanity’s growing disconnect with the natural world.
• Livestock Competitions: A variety of cattle and sheep competitions take place on all three days of the show. Don’t miss the daily Grand Parade of award winning livestock in the Happy Hot Tubs East Ring.
• Local Produce Market: Members from New Forest Marque, Hampshire Fare and Hampshire Farmers Markets will showcase their local produce.
• Heart of the Forest: Visit the New Forest Commoner’s in the Heart of the Forest and learn about branding and lots more about the New Forest.
• Main Equine Rings: The show is famous for its series of equine competitions. Across the show’s three days, more than 2,000 horses and riders will compete in over 50 prestigious qualifying classes.
• Adams Axemen: Watch the skilful Adams Axemen Lumberjack Display Team battle it out against the clock in exhilarating competitions.
• Blacksmiths: Watch blacksmiths battle against the clock to demonstrate their wrought iron skills in live competitions.
• Forest Fun: Head to Forestry England’s Activity Zone for lots of fun activities themed around the New Forest Code, such as mask making and cycling.
• Crafts: Grab a unique gift from the Craft Tents where a wide range of carefully handmade products are showcased at the Show.

The New Forest Show has had a long and varied history, starting as a small, one-day agricultural Show in 1920.

The first show was held after the First World War.

The local community wanted to bring people back together to celebrate their traditional agricultural lifestyle.

Over time, it went from being a one-day event to two days, then developing into the three-day spectacular event of today.

The New Forest & Hampshire County Show is organised by The New Forest Agricultural Show Society charity.

It is highly conscious that the show continues to build on its remit of ‘the holding of an annual show to promote and encourage the development of agriculture, forestry, equestrianism and horticulture and encourage the improvement in the breeding of stock’.

Every year the show helps raise funds to support the New Forest Agricultural Show Society and other local and national charitable organisations.

• Visit The New Forest Show website for more information and for tickets to this year’s show.