The Royal Cornwall Agricultural Show, usually called the Royal Cornwall Show, is an annual agricultural show organised by the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association, which takes place at the beginning of June, at Wadebridge in north Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The showground is on the south side of the A39 main road and between the hamlets of St Breock and Whitecross.Ordnance Survey Landranger 200; Newquay, Bodmin & surrounding areas, 1:50 000. 1988 The show lasts for three days and attracts approximately 120,000 visitors annually.

History

The Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association was founded in 1793, and has been known by that name since 1858. The first event was a ploughing match, held in 1793 near Truro, and the following year prizes for livestock were introduced. While initially held in Truro, the event moved to Bodmin, then from 1858 the show moved around between locations, before establishing itself at the permanent showgrounds in Wadebridge in 1960.

Members of the royal family often attend the show, including King Charles III who is a supporter of the farming community and was the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association's patron between 2003 and 2022. Princess Alexandra attended the 2009 show. Prince William was appointed patron of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association in 2024.

Organisers claim that the Burke Cattle Trophies awarded at the show are the "only true national award" for cattle showing left in the UK.

Business Businesses with links to agriculture have trade stands at the show, using the opportunity to attract new business as well as to network with current customers.

Social event The show is attended by people who live in farming communities in Cornwall. Events include: Judging of cattle, sheep, horses, goats and various other domestic animals Sheepdog trials Riding competitions Driving displays Falconry Games and sports Craft show Live music The culmination of the county cup for the Cornwall Young Farmers' Club.

The show was held at Truro between 1827 and 1857, and from then on the venue changed every year until 1960, when the showground at Wadebridge became its permanent home. No show was held from 1915 to 1918, 1940 to 1945 due to the wars, nor 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

YEAR – LOCATION, ATTENDANCE 1827 to 1857 – Truro 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 – Launceston 1871 – Truro 1872 – Bodmin, 17331 attendance for the two-day show 1873 – Penryn, 11,712 1874 – St Austell 17,022 1875 – Truro, 24,212 1876 – Liskeard, 14228 1877 – Camborne, 17186 1878 – Saltash, 13,394 1879 – Falmouth, 18,926 attendance for the two-day show (12,414 paid for admission) 1880 – Lostwithiel (Lanwithan estate), 9,188 paid for admission to the two day show. 1881 – Redruth, 20,105 1882 – Launceston, 16,399 1883 – Truro (Tremorva), 21,871 1884 – Bodmin, 16,057 (the following citation applies to the entries for 1870 to 1884) 1885 – Penzance (Treneere), 15,569 1886 – St Austell (Moire Cottage grounds), 16,551 1887 – Camborne (Rosewarne), 16,753 1888 – Newquay, 11,711 1889 – Helston, 12,974 1890 – Truro, 12,118 1891 – Par, 13,484 1892 – Redruth, 18,793 1893 – Liskeard, 13,067 1894 – Falmouth, 18,316 1895 – Wadebridge, 16,342 1896 – St Ives, 13,040 1897 – Lostwithiel, 9,398 1898 – Penzance, 17,689 1899 – Launceston, 12,838 1900 – Truro, 14,560 1901 – Bodmin, 14,887 1902 – Camborne, 9,508 1903 – St Austell, 19,370 1904 – Falmouth, 16,287 1905 – Newquay, 13,055 1906 – Redruth, 20,320 1907 – Liskeard, 12,648 1908 – Helston, 17,370 1909 – St. Columb, 15,757 1910 – St Ives, 14,250 1911 – St Austell, 18,157 1912 – Penzance, 21,454 (the following citation applies to the entries for 1889 to 1912) Year, location and attendance figures from 1889 to 1912 taken from The Western Daily Mercury 14 June 1912 page 7 1930 – Liskeard 1931 – St Columb 1932 – Penryn 1933 – 1960 – 2019 – Wadebridge 2020 – Postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic 2021 – 2022 – 120,671 2023 – 118,201

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