As well as offering a full complement of charming villages, spectacular countryside and unusual attractions (check out our roundups of outdoor and indoor activities) Somerset has some of England’s best shows and festivals, many of them just a short drive away – and one right here on the farm!
Whether you’re a culture vulture, a foodie, or just seeking some family fun, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best local events of the coming in 2024.
Feast for the Senses – Royal Bath and West Food and Drink Festival
Dates: March 22-24, 2024
Distance from Warren Farm: 16 miles (30 minutes)
The Royal Bath and West Food and Drink Festival show is a must for foodies and features the mouth-watering British Cheese Awards. You’ll be spoilt for choice with a smorgasbord of stands offering some of the best food and drink from the region. There’s even a well-stocked bierkeller-style area! Enjoy talks from food experts on the main stage, cheese tastings – and there’s a designated kid’s zone too.
Ploughman’s Platter – North Somerset show
Dates: May 6, 2024
Distance from Warren Farm: 14 miles (27 minutes)
The much-loved North Somerset Show includes over 260 different trade stands, livestock shows, show jumping, sheep shearing, alpacas, agile dogs, pigs, blacksmiths and more.
Groove and Verse – Bath Festival
Dates: May 17-26
Distance from Warren Farm: 20 miles (43 minutes)
Bath Festival’s week-long celebration of music and literature kicks off with Party in the City – when the city comes alive with free music and entertainment events across multiple historic venues. The music comes in all flavours: rock, classical, jazz, acoustic, swing and more! Events run throughout the week across the city.
Country Chic – Royal Bath and West Show
Dates: May 30-June 1, 2024
Distance from Warren Farm: 16 miles (30 minutes)
Jam-packed with activities, demos, and entertainment, this year’s Royal Bath and West Show features live music and an epic food offering, including celebrity cookery demonstrations in the Great British Kitchen. Kids can play and learn with interactive engineering and tech activities in the STEM Zone. Other treats include vintage machinery, the horticultural village, and a vintage fairground.
Top of the Gorge
Dates: June 9-11
Distance: At Warren Farm!
Outdoor adventurer? Get this action-packed weekend right here at Warren Farm on your radar. Camp under the stars and dive into a line-up of nature walks, archery, and Land Rover safaris led by National Trust rangers – all free and no booking required! You can book trail running, mountain biking, and cycling on the National Trust website. Plus, you can unwind with post-event yoga sessions at 12pm and 1pm daily.
Priddy Folk Festival
Dates: July 12-14
Distance: 4 miles (9 minutes)
In a beautiful spot in the Mendip Hills, Priddy Folk Festival is known as the friendliest folk festival in the UK. The perfect place to chill your boots, soak up the views and enjoy the folk music scene!
Valley Fest
Dates: August 1- 4
Distance: 9 miles (18 minutes)
Valley Fest is perfect for first-time festival-goers and families of all ages. The festival stretches alongside Chew Valley Lake against a backdrop of the rolling Mendip hills. It tends to attract big names – The Feeling, The Skids, Tinie Tempah and Sister Sledge are on the bill for this year.
Food, Fun and Ferrets – Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show
Dates: August 14-15
Distance: 34 miles (1 hour)
Events on offer at the iconic Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show include all the best agricultural show activities, including pony racing, livestock, show jumping and tractor shenanigans, as well as an impressive art exhibition, ferret racing and live music.
King of the Castle – Dunster show
Date: Friday August 16
Distance: 49.5 miles (1 hour, 25 minutes)
The jewel in the crown for West Somerset, The Dunster Show is a fantastic family day out based in the beautiful grounds of Dunster Castle. The show features everything from cheese tasting, craft stalls and dog agility shows, to impressive livestock displays which attract competitors from across the country.
Tradition with a Modern Twist – Mid Somerset Show
Date: August 18, 2024
Distance: 14 miles (24 minutes)
The Mid-Somerset Show includes new breed livestock, and the whole gamut of equestrian activities – heavy horses, driving, hunter classes and show jumping. You can also enjoy arts and crafts, beautiful blooms in the flower show and floral art displays, or rev up in the vintage vehicles and classic cars area. Don’t miss the Cheese Awards which are a significant highlight of the show.
Say Cheese! Frome Agricultural and Cheese Show
Date: September 14
Distance 23 miles (48 minutes)
Frome Agricultural and Cheese Show features more than 500 delectable cheeses, a Cheese Bar and a famous cheese auction. If you don’t fall into a cheese-induced coma, you can enjoy live music at the show’s musical hub – The Horse Shoe – while grazing on street food from a tantalising array of stands. There’s a host of activities for the whole family to enjoy, including climbing, vintage vehicles, and the Family Dog Show.
If your stay doesn’t fit in with any of the above events, consider this, which takes place twice a week:
Wells Farmers Market
Every Wednesday and Saturday, the beautiful historic town holds a bustling market bursting with everything from fresh olives to fresh veggies, and from artisanal bread to savoury pies. Discover treasures from clothing to ceramics, and if you’re lucky, catch the Town Crier heralding exciting events. Don’t miss out on nearby charming cafes, or the chance to visit the historic Bishop’s Palace and awe-inspiring Wells Cathedral nearby.