The Smallholding and Countryside Festival will return to the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells this spring.
Taking place on May 18 and 19, the weekend-long event is a celebration of rural life with smallholding pursuits at its heart, showcasing the real diversity of the Welsh countryside. Together with an array of display ring attractions, competitions, children's activities, shopping tradestands, live music, and delicious food and drink, the festival promises to be a fantastic day out for all.
Entries for livestock and equine competitions are now open and competitors can view the schedules and enter online on the RWAS website.
With more than 600 livestock classes and special awards for sheep, pigs, goats and cattle, many of which are for traditional, rare and native breeds, there is an opportunity for everyone to get involved. Entries close on Wednesday, April 3.
This year’s festival will host qualifiers for the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) Royal International Horse Show and Senior Showing and Dressage Ltd (SSADL), British Show Pony Society (BSPS) and British Show Horse Association (BSHA) London International Horse Show.
Once again, the event will play host the Premier Open Dog Show. Entries are now open for the 2025 Crufts Qualifier where rosettes, prize money and quality pet food are all up for grabs for the winning canines. Postal entries close on Tuesday April 9, and online entries close on Tuesday, April 30. Go to the FDS website to view the schedules and to enter.
All the usual attractions and areas will be at the event for you to enjoy. 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, with talks and demos from the Glamorgan Smallholders networking and support group. The ideal place to stock up on the essentials from the agricultural tradestands - whether you need a new bucket or perhaps a piece of machinery - you’ll be sure to find what you need at The Smallholders Centre.
Explore the Country Life Area, featuring the Premier Open Dog Show (Crufts 2025 Qualifier), Panic Family Circus, The Woodville Medieval Re-enactment Group, petting farm, donkey encounter, forestry competitions, and sporting and countryside activities, all accompanied by live music from the bandstand.
The Festival Display Ring is a highlight and again has a jam-packed bill for your entertainment, including Dangerous Steve’s thrilling quad and motorbike stunt show, Paws for Thought Dog Display Team, Show Jumping and Working Hunter competitions, Scurry Driving, and Meirion Owen and his sheepdogs.
The Meirionnydd Shearing Centre will host wool handling and blade shearing competitions throughout the weekend, demonstrations from the Gwent Guild of Spinners and Weavers, a vintage shearing display, and wool-related tradestands. Wool handling and blade shearing competitions entries are due to open in late March so keep an eye out for updates.
It wouldn’t be a Royal Welsh event without showcasing the best food and drink produce that Wales has to offer. Sample the delicious goods in the renowned Food Hall or grab a tasty bite at one of the many food stalls in the Welsh Food Village, Gwledd | Feast.
The Royal Welsh Showground is easily accessible from all routes and is located where the A470 and A483 cross at Builth Wells.
This event is dog-friendly and has plenty of free onsite parking.
Tickets for the Smallholding and Countryside Festival are available online. Early-bird adult tickets are £18 and children’s tickets are £5. You can also purchase a family ticket. Discounted tickets are also available for RWAS members until Tuesday, April 30.
Visit rwas.wales / cafc.cymru for more information about the Festival or to buy tickets.