visitors
show visitors
This page is to let you know what’s on, what to wear and what the facilities are like on the show ground.
With more than 300 trade stands, main arena events and nationally renowned agricultural and equine sections, the Northumberland County Show, held at Bywell near Stocksfield is the highlight of the agricultural year in the region and a major annual attraction that draws over 30,000 visitors from across the country.
Agriculture is at the heart of the Northumberland County Show and it is a traditional social gathering of farmers from across the region, enjoying a well earned day off between the lambing season and the start of harvest.
Farm animals come in all shapes and sizes, with cows, sheep and alpacas all present in big numbers at the show. The goats and pigs are great characters, and the rabbit and Guinea Pig marquee is always popular. In the equine rings glamour and elegance are combined with extraordinary skill as immaculately turned out riders undertake the challenging working hunter course or tackle the huge 1.3m high show jumps. Nearby, the stately heavy horses will be groomed to a high shine, matching the sparkle of their decorated harnesses and gleaming drays.
so whats on this year?
We have some amazing attractions at the show on Saturday 24th May 2025 including Broke FMX as our main arena attraction, The return of the Mini Pony Show. The Rock Choir on our Music Wagon in the Children’s area supported by the amazing dancers from Studio K Dance. Bike3Sixty, Vintage Tractor Display, The Biking Vikings, The Giant Tortoises and so much more!
We also have a very special display from WW11 to celebrate the 80th VE Anniversary
BROKE FMX
Giant Aldabra Tortoises
NEW Floral art classes 2025
The Children's Art Competition celebrate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day with a display of art work in the Creative North Marquee.
Kindly Sponsored by Northumberland College
Forestry & country area
Kindly sponsored by Forestry England
The rock choir
The biking vikings
Vintage Tractor Parade
Kindly sponsored by
Thomas Sheriff
The mini pony show
C&W
Wrestling
Bands at the Show
3Sixty bike display team
Sponsored by Twelfth City Cyclery
Studio K Dance
fun dog show
Hexham Races County Challenge
A great way to end show day in a race of exciting challenges
Kindly Sponsored by Hexham Racecourse
Pipes
and Drums
What to Wear/Bring
The Northumberland County Show is an outdoor event and whilst at this time of year we are expecting a glorious sunny day, we would recommend that you bring some sort of waterproof or umbrella and maybe a warm jumper or hoodie. A lot of the events run into the evening and if you are planning you stay you may find the temperature drops a little.
The terrain of the show ground can be quite uneven in places so we would recommend wearing suitable footwear as if going for a walk in the country. Even if it isn’t raining, we would recommend trainers, wellies or sturdy boots. You will be walking on grass for the duration of the day so please leave your stilettos at home!
For people of limited mobility the rough terrain can become slippery and uneven, the show field is very spread out and a lot of walking is required. The show does not have any ‘mobility’ scooter facilities and we are happy for you bring you own.
Please note: the show field can get very congested at times.
ACCESSIBILITY
We aim to welcome every visitor to the show regardless of their physical, sensory and mental capacity and hope to support their experience in a positive and enjoyable way. We however try to be honest about our rural location and the limitations that this can impose. We aim to provide a quality service and continually strive to make improvements so that as many people as possible can come and enjoy our show. This Access Statement aims to describe the facilities and services we can offer – https://northcountyshow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Access-Statement-for-Northumberland-County-Show.pdf
The show has been working hard to improve signage and train our volunteers. We are working towards being Dementia Friendly and have Braille and a Sign Language person in our Alpaca Section Marquee.
We are very proud to have joined Hidden Disabilities, https://hdsunflower.com/. We will have sunflower lanyards and badges available at our information points at our main entrances, our team members will be trained to identify if you need any extra help and support during your time at the show.
We know that sometimes the show can be busy and overwhelming so we have installed a ‘quiet area’ which will be situated behind the information point at Castle Gate Entrance.
We are all here to help you have a wonderful day.
Toilets
We have over 200 toilets available on show day. Some in the main car parks and also just inside the two main entrances.
Most are the familiar portable loos’ but we also have two trailer units with flushing toilets and running water facilities.
To save queuing for our male visitors we have men’s urinals on site in most locations.
If you are a member you will have the use of our executive trailer facilities, it’s worth considering upgrading for the day for only £10 at the secretary’s office.
baby changing & feeding
We have plenty to offer our younger visitors!
You can find our toddler area and baby changing & feeding facilities, behind the entrance to the member’s marquee in the Children’s Area
We have baby changing mats, hygiene bins, seating for tired parents with toys for toddlers.
Disabled Facilities
At all toilet areas, indicated on show field map (available on show day) there will be a disabled ‘portaloo’ toilet facility.
For disabled changing facilities, please speak to us at the main Event Office, we can direct you to the disabled change facility provided by Vehicles for Change who operate the RevoLOOtion service.
For people of limited mobility the rough terrain can become slippery and uneven, the show field is very spread out and a lot of walking is required. The show does not have any ‘mobility’ scooter facilities and we are happy for you bring you own.
Please note: the show field can get very congested at times.
carer refund
We are happy to offer a refund to Companions & Caregivers.
All Carers must buy tickets in advance online. At the entrance gate on show day at either pay booth you can then provide proof of ID – this can be a blue badge, access card, DLA letter, PIP, Attendance or Carer’s Allowance letter and Certificate of Visual Impairment.
On valid production of any of the above documents, you will be able to receive a refund for one ticket. Please ensure you print out your tickets as proof of purchase and have ready to show the pay booth staff.
Carer Tickets can be purchased online for advanced discount.
Please note: the person they are caring for does not get a refund.
Please be kind to our volunteers.
Been going to the Northumberland county show for about 8 years now. Great day out for all the family get your tickets now. Don't forget to visit the main arena lots going on and check timetable for main event.
The show has been at bywell for a few years now loving the location ample parking available and the traffic has improved loads over the years.
here's the faq's
Tynedale Agricultural Society was resurrected out of the Tyneside Agricultural Society, which began in the early 1800’s. Tynedale Agricultural Society began in 1982 on the same site as the previous show had been since 1948, Tynedale Park at Corbridge.
There are two information points around the show ground staffed by volunteers from local churches and charities. Buy your Show Guide and Map with Timetable here, find out what’s on, get directions or ask for help and our wonderful volunteers will happily assist you.
Yes we have over 25 catering vehicles selling a wide range to suit all. All Food areas are indicated on the map and in the show guide. Information point can direct you there.
The terrain of the show ground can be quite uneven in places so we would recommend wearing suitable footwear as if going for a walk in the country. Even if it isn’t raining, we would recommend wellies or sturdy boots. You will be walking on grass for the duration of the day so please leave your stilettos at home!
The Northumberland County Show always welcomes well behaved dogs – do keep them on a lead please.
Don’t forget your poo bags and dispose of waste.
We have dog watering bowls around the show field outside the main marquees, information points and in the dog show, gun dog scurry arenas and other locations.
However, please come prepared with water, especially on a hot day, in case your dog companion becomes thirsty and needs a drink on the show field.
Please note: for the safety of the public, the show field animals and your dogs themselves :
ALL DOGS MUST BE KEPT ON A SHORT LEAD – no dogs will be allowed in any livestock marquee.
NO DOGS ARE TO BE LEFT IN CARS – regular checks will be made to ensure the welfare of your pets.
NO DOGS ALLOWED IN MARQUEES
PARKING IS FREE – AND WE’VE HAD NO QUEUES TO GET INTO THE SHOW SINCE 2015
There are over 10,000 car park spaces available, to the north and east of the showground, and on the south side of Bywell Bridge, just follow Yellow Show signs showing the blue letter P in the square for public parking, to get to the show.
Our ‘quick exit’ car park is near Stocksfield, on the left hand side only 1/4 mile from Stocksfield, and only an 8 minute walk from the showground. This is the quickest car park to exit from throughout the day.
Blue badge holders will be directed to their area on arrival at the show ground and should have their badges displayed on approach to the shwoground..
Members’ Car Park spaces are limited and cannot be guaranteed after 11am. To benefit from this advanced parking become a member and get great forward parking and easy acess to our members marquee and posh loos, well worth it, and you’re supporting Tynedale Agricultural society with their charitable aims too.
(Please note the red, green and blue circles, on the yellow road signs, are for exhibitors, not the public.)
We are happy to offer a refund to Carers. Carers must pay online, we have advanced ticket price discount until 23rd May 2025. To receive a refund, carers must provide proof of them being a carer (details on ticket confirmation). From there, the carer will receive the refund of their ticket.
Please note: the person they are caring for does not get a refund.
We welcome every visitor equally regardless of their physical, sensory or mental capacity. We are however, honest about our rural location and the limitation that this can impose.
We aim to provide a quality service within these limitations and continually strive to improve so that as many people as possible can enjoy our one day show.
To view our access statement please click here.
While every care is taken to accommodate people with disabilities visitors must be aware that the Show is held on agricultural land used for rural activities which is uneven, has slopes and can be slippery when wet. Tynedale Agricultural Society is unable to support visitors in travelling around the show ground but is happy to welcome them and their carers. Toilet facilities are provided for disabled visitors throughout the site and these are sited on the most level ground available.
Have your blue badge on display and you will be directed to the blue badge parking area next to the main entrance.
Yes you can bring a picnic, we have several areas with seating next to our food courts and some quite shaded areas under trees you’re welcome to use.
Yes will will again have a bank with a cash machine facility in 2025. This is situated by the Main Entrance Gate next to our Food Marquee.
We have several marquees on site where you can enjoy Shopping, Tastes of the North our wonderful food marquee, Creative North, Tea Tent and Marquees for Cattle, Alpacas, Goats, Pigs, Rabbits and Cavies, Poultry and three Bars with marquees.
The show has a strickly ‘no smoking on site at all’ policy due to the amount of marquees and our fire risk assessment plan. No vaping in marquees.
Helping the environment
At Northumberland County Show we have over 20,000 visitors in one day. We are constantly looking for new ways to help look after our environment and improve our footprint.
New for 2025 we have put in place some new guidelines for our visitors and traders.
Green bins (Visitors and Traders)
In 2025 we will be introducing new GREEN dumpy bags for disposable food plates and cups, cardboard and paper. These will be placed with catering stands and encourage visitors to think about their waste and traders to think on their waste products. The green dumpy bags/bins can be emptied into our new green skip which will be for recycle only. This is the first year of trying this and will be a challenge that we are willing to try.
Single Use Plastics (Traders)
The Society are working towards reducing single use plastic and try a bit harder each year. Please, where possible, do not bring single use plastic to the show eg: carrier bags, straws, polystyrene food cartons, single use drinks bottles, sugar sachets, sauce sachets. Any waste, wrapping and packaging you have from your preparations you must take home with you. There will be a charge for any waste traders leave on their pitch at the show.
Food Waste (Visitors & Caterers)
With over 20 Catering stands, Tea Tent and Food Marquee, we have alot of food to be purchased on show day. Please use the designated bins for food waste where possible, these will be situated beside the general waste and green bins for card waste (recyclable) All dumpy bin bags will be clearly identifiable with plenty of signage to help visitors.
Straw & Animal Waste (Exhibitors)
What happens to the animal waste and straw? To keep our livestock marquees clean & tidy, each area has a waste trailer behind which is then all collected at the end of show day and taken away to be used as a fertiliser on local fields.
Dog Poop bags (Visitors)
If you bring your furry friend and have forgotten bags for waste, we have biodegradable bags for FREE at the Information points situated at both entrances of the show field. Please use the waste bins provided on the show ground.
Water Points (Visitors & Exhibitors)
Around the show field we have water taps for drinking water. This is tested during the year and just before the show to ensure it is safe for consumption. Dog bowls are provided at water points for visitors pets to have a break.
Trees (Visitors)
Each year at the show The Forestry England UK stand in the Countryside area give away FREE sapling trees to visitors to plant at home. In 2025 we will have the opportunity for these to be planted in an area of the showground or they can be taken home to plant.
Seeds (Visitors)
Our show seed packets are FREE and available for first come, first served to collect from our two information points. People can plant in their own gardens. The packets all come with an information sheet on what animals and bugs you can help by planting your seeds. They are also in a recycled envelope that is completely biodegradable so that the seed packet can be planted as it is.
Security
The show ground is a secure, safe place and we are lucky to have the support of Northumbria Police, Northumberland Fire and Rescue, Paramedics and our Security team, EPS Security who will be providing a 24 hour security service from Saturday 18th May until Sunday 25th May.
CCTV will be on site from 18th – 26th May
health & safety
Our huge team of volunteers are vigilant and trained to look out for any security or health and safety concerns. If you notice anything suspicious, have had an accident / incident or ‘near miss’, or have any concerns regarding health and safety, please report this to a police office, volunteer or come and see us at the secretaries office.
Please report any accidents to the secretary’s office on the show field, our information points can show you how to get there.
No smoking on site at all – this helps us comply with our fire risk assessment.
For disabled changing facilities, please speak to us at the Secretary’s Office. At present, there is no designated disabled viewing area.
First Aid
On site we will have fully trained first aiders and a medical team provided by NERAMS, which be based in our first aid marquee next to the Secretary’s Office with an Ambulance and paramedic.
We have a First Aider in each of the Sections with local vets in the equine, livestock and cattle areas.
