Record-breaking county show after celebration of rural life

THIS year’s Devon County Show looks set to be a record-breaking year in terms of visitor numbers.

- by ANNETTE BELCHER

Organisers have said early indications show the number of people attending the popular event may have surpassed previous record-hitting years.

As the 2025 Devon County Show drew to a close, show manager Lisa Moore reflected on three extraordinary days. saying: “The weather was truly on our side. Blue skies and warm spring sunshine created the perfect atmosphere, ensuring a seamless setup and boosting public confidence - leading to record-breaking advance ticket sales.”

An event rooted in agriculture, the show hosted hundreds of livestock and equine competitions, showcasing the best in breed and crowning well-deserved champions.

Everyone greatly enjoyed the new fancy dress cattle class which was held on Saturday.

It was the native beef champion, Foxhill Princess Caroline A265, which went on to take the coveted supreme inter-breed title for Michael and Melanie Alford of Blackborough, Cullompton.

Standing reserve supreme was the continental champion, Calogale Umbria, a January 2023-born British Limousin heifer from H G Perkins & Sons from Radstock, Bath.

Reserve native champion was the Red Ruby Devon bull, April 2023-born Stonegrove Invincible, from Worcestershire-based Stonegrove Livestock; and reserve continental champion went to the Alford’s again, this time with their June 2023-born British Charolais bull, Hollywell Unclebob.