Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show

15/09/2026

What a show! 💚
A huge thank you to all of our 2026 sponsors who helped make this year’s Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show possible.

Bringing together around 24,000 visitors for two days celebrating agriculture, rural life and our local community takes an enormous collective effort — and the support of our sponsors plays a vital part in making it happen.

From the livestock rings and countryside displays to our Main Ring attractions, competitions, entertainment and everything happening across the showground, your support helps us continue to grow and develop the Show.

We’re incredibly grateful to every business and organisation that chose to support us this year. Thank you for being part of the 2026 Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show. 👏

09/09/2026

Tickets now on sale! 🤩

Book early to avoid disappointment - we hope to see you there 🐎

✨ Tickets on sale now! ✨

Join us for the first event in the Student Support Fund’s new fundraising event series — an Evening with William Fox-Pitt & Alice Plunkett 🐎

📅 Thursday 8th October 2026 | 7pm
📍 The Tithe Barn, Hinton St Mary Estate

Enjoy an evening of stories, insight and conversation, featuring a talk and Q&A with William and Alice. Your ticket includes a welcome drink on arrival and light bites following their talk.

🎟️ Tickets £25 per person

All proceeds from the event will support the Student Support Fund, helping students overcome financial barriers to education and training in agriculture and related land-based industries.

👉 Book your tickets now via https://tickets.gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk/events

This event has a limited capacity, book early to avoid disappointment - we hope to see you there! 💃🏽

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04/09/2026

Our Student Support Fund is launching a new series of fundraising events, starting with a very special evening with William Fox-Pitt & Alice Plunkett 🏇🎊

📆 Save the date - Thursday 8th October 2026
Tickets on sale soon 🙌🏽

✨ Something special is coming… ✨

We’re delighted to announce the launch of the Student Support Fund’s new fundraising event series, starting with a very special Evening with William Fox-Pitt & Alice Plunkett! 🐎

📅 Thursday 8th October 2026 | 7pm
📍 The Tithe Barn, Hinton St Mary Estate

Join us for an evening of stories, insight and conversation with two well-known names from the equestrian world, with a talk and Q&A, welcome drink and light refreshments included.

🎟️ Tickets are £25 per person and will be on sale soon!

And, importantly, all proceeds are in aid of the Student Support Fund, helping students overcome financial barriers to education and training in agriculture and related land-based industries.

Keep an eye out — tickets coming soon! 👀

28/08/2026

Have your say on the future of the Show!

We’re holding an Extraordinary General Meeting on Thursday 10th September at 7.30pm at Motcombe Memorial Hall. This is an opportunity for members to share their thoughts, ideas and views on the future format of the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Show.

Everyone is welcome to attend, and we’d love to hear from you!

26/08/2026

Can you believe it's been a week since the 2026 Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Show!

📯Visited the show this year & want to share your thoughts with us? You can now leave your feedback on the 2026 show here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/4JAPcHY37D

24/08/2026

And just like that… the 2026 Show is over! 💚

What a brilliant couple of days.

The livestock rings have gone quiet, the last trailers have headed home and the showground is looking a little different today!

We just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped make this year's Show what it was — our exhibitors, judges, traders, performers, volunteers, sponsors and supporters.

And most importantly, thank you to everyone who came through the gates. Whether you came for the animals, the shopping, the entertainment, the food, the farming or simply a great day out with family and friends, we hope you had a fantastic time.

These are just a few of our favourite moments from this years Show… 📸

We’ll be sharing plenty more over the coming weeks, but for now, thank you for making the 2026 Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Show one to remember🌾🐴🐄

Same time next year? 😉💚

19/08/2026

What a first day! 🎉

The gates opened, the crowds arrived and the showground has been buzzing from start to finish. From incredible livestock and horses to tractors, trade stands, food, family fun and everything in between — it’s been a brilliant day.

Here’s a little look back at Day One… and we’re only halfway through! 👀

Thank you to everyone who came along and helped make today so special. We’ll see you tomorrow! 🌾🐴🚜

19/08/2026

✨ SHOW DAY HIGHLIGHTS SO FAR! ✨

What a fantastic first day we’re having! 🎉 From the buzz around the Showground to the brilliant atmosphere within our livestock sections, there’s been so much to enjoy already! 🙌

And if you haven’t made it along today, don’t worry — we’re back for a full day tomorrow! 🎪

There’s still plenty more to come, so make sure you join us for another action-packed day of entertainment, shopping, food, music and everything the Show has to offer! 🎶🍔✨

Here’s a little look at some of our highlights from today… 👀👇

Looking to purchase tickets for tomorrow - visit www.gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk to secure yours!

ShowTime

19/08/2026

🌦️ A little drizzle this morning? Don’t let that put you off! 🌦️

Fancy an afternoon at the Show? There’s still plenty of time to enjoy the very first day! 🎉

From 3pm, we’re offering discounted entry rates, so why not come along, browse the Show, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy all the delights the Show has to offer 🎪✨

And the fun doesn’t stop there… our Festival Field with live music, food, fully stocked bar & entertainment. continues until 10:30pm this evening! 🎶🍻

So grab your friends, wrap up if you need to, and come and make the most of Show Day! We’ll see you there! 👋

18/08/2026

Tomorrow the gates open and the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show is back for two huge days of farming, food, countryside, entertainment and family fun!

📅 Wednesday 19 & Thursday 20 August
📍 Turnpike Showground, Motcombe

Not sure what you want to see? We’ve got you covered! 👀

📖 The full timetables for both days are here — save this post, screenshot the timetable or share it with the people you’re coming with and start planning your day.
From livestock and equestrian competitions to the Main Ring, steam and vintage tractors, Dorset Polo, horseboarding, food and drink, rural crafts and plenty for the kids, there’s something happening throughout the day.

🎟️ Tickets are still available online — and you can buy them on the gate too.
Whether you’re coming for one day or both, we can’t wait to welcome you to the show!

See you tomorrow! 👋