A real rural affair

Ploughing matches & country shows

21st March, 2022

Head to Herefordshire to experience the delights of our rural events, from ploughing matches to country shows.

Ploughing Matches

A truly traditional event in Herefordshire for some 78 years: the ploughing competition. The event is dedicated to the art, skill and precision of ploughing a furrow.

Competitors plough a designated area of a field, often with classes for horse-drawn ploughs as well as for tractors. Points are awarded for the neatness and straightness of the furrows.

They are a fun day out for all the family with food stalls and other entertainments on offer.

Dates for the diary:

2 April, Herefordshire Ploughing Match
10am - 4pm
Upper Moraston, Sellack, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 6RE

3 April, Herefordshire Charity Ploughing Match
10am - 4pm
Harewood End, Hereford

The Best Agricultural Shows

Bromyard Gala
25 & 26 June
The Burgess Farm, Avenbury, Nr Bromyard Herefordshire HR7 4JY

Celebrate Herefordshire's rural life at the Bromyard Gala. The two day event features everything from heavy horses and steam engines to vintage cars and handicrafts. There's a jam-packed programme of events in the arena as well as a fair.

Tents, motorhomes and caravans are welcome to stay on site, or book accommodation in the Bromyard area.

Kington Show
10 September
Kington Showground

One of the largest one-day agricultural shows in the country. Along with horse and riding competitions, the show blends the traditional agricultural feel of livestock and horticultural competitions with lively family entertainment in and around the main ring. One of this year's highlights is the Squibb Freestyle Stunt Team which promises radical airborne motorcycle aerobatics and ground based stunts! There's also shearing and dog competitions throughout the day, a wonderful display of vintage vehicles and over 100 trade stands.

Find places to stay in and around Kington.

How the light gets in festival at sunset

A summer of festivals & events

Plan your trip to Herefordshire around one of our fab festivals and events, ranging from the quirky to the literary, the artistic to the active.

Read more about A summer of festivals & events

Cider Making with Nature in Much Marcle

James Marsden of Gregg's Pit describes his journey to becoming an award-winning cider and perry maker, including his passion for organic methods which support local wildlife.

Read more about Cider Making with Nature in Much Marcle

What is Mortimer Country?

The northernmost patch of Herefordshire – roughly speaking, the area lying above a line running from Leominster to Kington – is known as Mortimer Country. Today, it’s a particularly tranquil patch of England’s most green and pleasant land, all sleepy villages, shady woods and sluggish rivers. Yet

Read more about What is Mortimer Country?

Places to stay on the Black and White Villages Trail

Book a black and white break in a cosy pub or welcoming B&B. Many are in beautiful period buildings, adding to the charm of the trip. There's also a host of self-catering options, from beautiful cottages to cool glamping experiences.