New Forest Show 2026 promises record crowds and high-octane thrills

The New Forest and Hampshire County Show is set to smash attendance records next July with a 98th-anniversary edition that blends raw rural spectacle with modern spectacle. For three days from July 28 to 30, the Brockenhurst Showground will become a sprawling stage where 2,000 horses thunder across rings, motorbikes scream through fire, and Hampshire’s richest food and drink take centre stage.

Denis Dooley, chief executive, said the event is “the biggest yet,” pointing to marquee debuts like Horsepower Fury, a stunt show mixing motorbike theatrics with equestrian daring, and The Stirrup & Vine, a new wine bar perched above the Dog Ring. “We’ve deliberately mixed adrenaline with tradition,” Dooley said. “Visitors will see motorcycles flip over burning hoops and then walk straight into the Old Time Farming Parade where Shire horses march in perfect step.”

Friday opens with the Grand Parade of livestock, where ribbon-winning cattle, sheep, and pigs will circle the main arena before the afternoon erupts with Horsepower Fury. The stunt extravaganza features 12 motorcyclists carving through fire and mud, intercut with horseback riders executing precision jumps over flaming hurdles. Safety teams will have fire suppressant gear on standby, but organisers insist the mix of flame and feather is carefully choreographed.

Saturday shifts to family play with fly-fishing in the on-site ponds, petting zoo encounters, and the newly expanded Farming Experience Zone where children can plant seeds, milk model cows, and taste locally pressed apple juice. The Hobby Horse Ring debuts, inviting young riders to compete in costume classes judged on creativity as much as horsemanship. “It’s about making sure every child feels they have a horse of their own,” said ring coordinator Maya Patel.

Sunday closes with the Tug of War finals and the annual Grand Parade of champions, where 400 prize-winning animals parade before thousands. Local food producers will showcase Hampshire beef, New Forest honey, and artisan cheeses in a dedicated pavilion that also hosts live butchery demos. Organisers have added a “Meet the Breeder” corner where visitors can quiz pedigree sheep farmers over coffee.

Dooley urged early ticket purchases to avoid queues and secure preferred parking. “We’ve capped daily entries at 8,000 to keep the grounds safe and uncrowded,” he said. Tickets start at £22 for adults, £12 for children, with family saver tickets at £55. All proceeds support local farming charities and rural education programmes.

For the first time, the show will livestream the Heavy Horse Musical Drive on social media, allowing rural schools to tune in remotely. “We want every child in Hampshire to feel part of the magic,” Dooley said. “Whether they’re here or watching from a classroom, we’re bringing the countryside to them.”