Around 140,000 visitors are set to descend on Harrogate next week for the Great Yorkshire Show.
The county’s showpiece agricultural event will take place over four days from Tuesday to Friday at the Great Yorkshire Showground.
There is always so much to see and do. So, as lifestyle editor, I’ve delved into what is on offer when it comes to family entertainment, food and drink and famous faces.
Family
There is plenty of free entertainment at the Discovery Zone.
When I visited the show last year with my three-year-old, we absolutely loved the Discovery Zone.
Slightly off the beaten track, it’s definitely worth adding to your itinerary if you’re taking the kids.
The area is described as “offering both fun and learning opportunities for all the family to find out more about food, farming and the countryside”.
This year the Discovery Zone will be showcasing regenerative agriculture, to tell the story of environmental practices that are shaping modern farming.
A wildflower meadow has been created for visitors to enjoy and picnic alongside, and interpretation boards will explain how farmers and landowners carefully manage the land to harness nature and wildlife.
Expect a full array of completely free and interactive activities, workshops and demonstrations for families and young people, from wand and felt making, to meeting reptiles and milking a demonstration dairy cow.
This year there will be a new careers hotdesk, organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and supported by agricultural colleges and vets. There will be an opportunity to ask the hosts about routes into agricultural careers and free goodie bags.
Food and drink
Shaun Rankin, of Grantley Hall.
If you’re into your food and drink, our county undoubtedly has some of the best in the world.
This year foodies are in for treat when the winner of MasterChef 2022, Eddie Scott, and Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen line up with a host of well-known regional chefs to cook up some of the region’s finest produce.
The Great Yorkshire Food Theatre will feature more than 20 chefs, including Callum Bowmer of Horto at Rudding Park, Harrogate, Dragon’s Den contestant Will Chew of Mak Tok, in Sheffield, Michelin-starred Shaun Rankin of Grantley Hall, near Ripon, and Nathan Richardson-Kelly of Castle Howard, York.
Dishes being demonstrated range from steamed rhubarb muthiya to halibut and from chicken pancakes to slow roasted beef.
MasterChef winner Eddie appears on Tuesday at 2pm. While shepherdess Amanda shares some of her favourite family recipes from her bestselling book ‘Celebrating the Seasons’ on the Friday at 2.30pm.
Great Yorkshire Food Theatre host Sue Nelson said:
“We’re thrilled to be hosting some great names who between them exude incredible talent showcasing the best of Yorkshire’s culinary scene.
“It’s a great coup to have got Eddie to appear on his home turf so soon after his MasterChef win and he joins a brilliant gourmet line-up oozing passion and skill.”
The Game Cookery Theatre makes the most of Yorkshire game, including venison, pigeon, grouse and rabbit. The game theatre also features a number of chefs, with host Steph Moon joining forces with grouse expert John Cavana to create grouse nuggets and grouse with black pudding.
New for 2022 is an appearance by Year 8 students from Harrogate’s St Aidan’s High School. They have won the opportunity to cook at the show, with two different forms producing their own game pizzas.
Game Cookery Theatre host Steph Moon said:
“It is fantastic to have a full programme at the show again. We have some new chefs and some young chefs and as always we will be showcasing the very best Yorkshire produce in both theatres.”
Famous faces
Matt Baker.
For many years the Fashion Show brought a touch of glamour to the Great Yorkshire Show.
This year, organisers are trying something different, with a new celebrity chat show being held in its place.
TV presenter Christine Talbot will host the show on the new GYS Stage, which will be staged in the former fashion show building next to grey gate.
Farming celebrities will be interviewed and will then have a chat with fans afterwards in a meet and greet zone.
This will include Countryfile presenter Adam Henson on Tuesday, JLS popstar-turned farmer JB Gill on Wednesday, TV host Matt Baker MBE on Thursday and the Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen on Friday.
The Yorkshire Vet Peter Wright will take to the stage each day of the show.
Mr Wright said:
“We always love coming to the Great Yorkshire Show and have been coming for years, with my family as well as filming. I’m delighted to be taking part in the brand new GYS Stage which will be an exciting new addition to the show.”
In 2021, organisers capped the number of visitors at 104,000 and made the show a four-day event to spread out the number of visitors due to covid.
This year, the show is back to full strength and the last few tickets are available for Friday. Tickets are available here and won’t be sold at the gates.
