The biggest event in the region’s agricultural calendar kicks off on Tuesday, when the 166th Great Yorkshire Show opens for four days of livestock competitions, equestrian events, trade stands, cooking demonstrations and beer tents.

The show, which dates back to 1838, is the biggest agricultural event in England and up to 140,000 people are expected to visit – meaning that getting to and from the showground may take some planning.

Here is information on how to get around Harrogate, and to the event, during show week (Tuesday, July 8 to Friday, July 11).

By car

If heading to the show from out of town, follow the signed routes on the approach to Harrogate, but do not rely on satellite navigation systems as these may direct you onto a route with limited access or temporary restrictions.

Wetherby Road (A661) will be one-way from the Kestrel roundabout to the junction with Rudding Lane towards the showground from 6.30am on show days.

The one-way system has also been extended on the A658 towards Harrogate from the Thistle Hill junction (turn off to Knaresborough) to the Kestrel roundabout. This will be for mornings only from 6.30am.

This will be reversed on Wetherby Road at 2pm between Sainsbury’s traffic lights and the Kestrel roundabout to accommodate traffic leaving Harrogate.

This will remain in force until 9pm and the restrictions may be removed earlier depending on the volume of traffic.

Note:

Northern Gas Networks has paused its upgrade work in Harrogate to minimise disruption over the week of the show.

The temporary traffic lights on Hookstone Drive in Harrogate were removed yesterday (Friday, July 4). They will be reinstated on Monday, July 21 until the work is completed, which is expected to be in mid-September.

By train

Northern Rail trains run from Leeds, Knaresborough and York. Trains run every half hour between Leeds and Harrogate, as well as York and Harrogate. Check times with Northern Rail before travelling.

Then use the free shuttle bus.

By shuttle bus

The Harrogate Bus Company operates a free return bus service from Harrogate bus station to the showground daily from 7:30am to 7pm. The last bus will leave the showground for Harrogate at 7pm.

Buses depart every 10 minutes from the town centre and all vehicles will be low-floor double-deckers, with buggy spaces for families. The drop-off point for visitors is at White Gate.

There is no service from Hornbeam Park station. A direct route from Hornbeam Park station to the showground is now available via the Showground Greenway, and this will be signed over the show days.

By bus

If coming from Leeds or Wetherby, there's no need to catch the shuttle bus from Harrogate. The Harrogate Bus Company, run the number 7 bus from Leeds and Wetherby every hour and it goes right past the showground entrance.

To find out more, including bus times see harrogatebus.co.uk and download the app, Transdev Go.

The Great Yorkshire Show has published a detailed breakdown of routes to the show, which you can find here.