Rural Events
May sees the first of a series of annual agricultural shows across Britain. These events are traditionally the focal point of the rural year for farmers, rural cottage industries and all who support their social and working endeavors. At these events which take on all the fun of the fair you will see the best of the countryside of England, Scotland and Wales and feel close to the heart of traditional rural life that has beaten vigorously for centuries.
EV£NT: The Royal Bath and West of England Show
DATE: 29 May - 1 June.
VENUE:The Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN
DESCRIPTION: The first and largest of the two major West Country agricultural shows (the other is the Royal Cornwall at Wadebridge), it attracts the top landed families who come to inspect or exhibit their prize cattle and horses. Rural England of the Shires and the West is on show in its best tweed suit or yeoman's smock. Prize animals, vegetables, flowers, cookery, cider and winemaking and a variety of fast-disappearing rural skills are displayed to 150,000 visitors over four days of competition and demonstration.
FURTHER INFORMATION: Tel: 01749 822200; fax: 01749 823169; email: info@bathandwest.co.uk.
WEBSITE: www.bathandwest.co.uk
GETTING THERE: The Royal Bath and West Showground is just south of Shepton Mallet, Somerset, between the A37 and A371. The nearest railway station is Castle Cary (London, Bristol and Penzance to Castle Cary Station). Special buses come from Bath, Bristol & Wells. Contact Badgerline Ticket Hotline: 01225 481318. Coaches arrive from Shepton Mallet; tel: 01963 33124.
TICKETS: Tel: 01749 822222 or book online at www.bathandwest.co.uk. Day tickets cost around £10, but members of the Society (£30 per year, £20 overseas member) receive a number of benefits including badges and programme for all four days of the show, car parking, entry and guest badge to the Members' Pavilion.
WHAT TO WEAR: Tweedy casual. A shooting stick will come in handy.
ACCOMMODATION: My Connoisseur's Choice is Pennard House, East Pennard, Shepton Mallet BA4 6TP; tel 01749 860266; fax: 01749 860266; email: rn.dearden@ukonline.co.uk. B&B. I discovered this beautiful Georgian manor a few years ago on a visit to Glastonbury. The house is adorned with Virginia Creeper and fronted by a fragrant "ha-ha" wall of climbing roses. It is lovingly furnished with antiques and stands in secluded gardens with Victorian pool on a south-facing slope of the Mendip Hills surrounded by meadows,
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