The South of England Show runs 5–7 June 2026 at the Showground in Ardingly, West Sussex. Adult advance tickets are £25.20 (saving £2.80 on the gate price). Children under 16 enter free. Parking is free. The site covers 150 acres and is fully accessible.
Key Information
This guide covers the full 2026 events calendar, what to expect on the day, whether it is worth the trip, and how to get there by car and public transport.
Is the South of England Show worth going to?
For families, yes — clearly. One adult plus two children for a full day out at a major agricultural show, with free parking and no children's admission to pay, is genuinely good value in the early June calendar. The show covers 150 acres with livestock, horticulture, food producers, rural crafts, fairground rides, and outdoor entertainment. There is enough variety to occupy a mixed-age group across a full day.
For adults without children, the calculation is different. At £28 on the gate (or £25.20 in advance) it sits at the higher end for a day out in West Sussex, but the scale and variety of a proper three-day agricultural show is hard to match locally. If you have not been before, it is worth going at least once.
Thursday and Friday (5–6 June) are noticeably quieter than Saturday. Food stalls are easier to access, parking is faster, and the livestock rings feel less crowded. If you have flexibility, go on a weekday.
What is the South of England Showground?
The showground is operated by the South of England Agricultural Society (SEAS), founded to promote agricultural education and the rural economy across the region. The site is a permanent 150-acre venue used year-round for large public events, trade shows, equestrian competitions, and commercial hire.
It is not a theme park. What it offers is a place where large-scale events happen well: plenty of space, free parking, good accessibility, and a calendar that brings something different every few months.
What's on at the showground in 2026
| Event | Dates | Audience | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Live! | 18–19 April 2026 | Families | Via seas.org.uk |
| South of England Show | 5–7 June 2026 | All ages | From £25.20 (adults advance) |
| Ardingly Antiques Fair | 7 dates (Jan–Nov) | Adults | Via iacf.co.uk |
| Autumn Show and Horse Trials | 26–27 Sept 2026 | All ages | Via seas.org.uk |
| Agricultural Forum | 11 Nov 2026 | Industry | Via seas.org.uk |
Spring Live! — 18 to 19 April 2026
Spring Live! is a family entertainment event held across two days each spring. It runs from 9am to 5pm on both days. Expect live performances, interactive activities, and outdoor entertainment.
Full details and tickets: seas.org.uk/spring-live
South of England Show — 5 to 7 June 2026
The flagship event. Now in its 58th year, the South of England Show is a three-day agricultural and countryside show covering livestock, horticulture, rural crafts, and family entertainment. It is the largest event on the showground calendar by attendance.
Tickets: Adults £25.20 advance (until 28 May), £28 on the gate. Children under 16 free (suggested donation £2). Senior and student tickets available.
Full details and tickets: seas.org.uk/south-of-england-show
Ardingly International Antiques and Collectors Fair — seven dates in 2026
The Ardingly Antiques Fair is one of the largest antiques fairs in the south of England, operated by IACF at the SEAS site. It runs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays across the year. 2026 dates: 20–21 January, 3–4 March, 21–22 April, 23–24 June, 21–22 July, 1–2 September, 3–4 November.
Full details: iacf.co.uk/ardingly
Autumn Show and Horse Trials — 26 to 27 September 2026
The Autumn Show combines the South of England International Horse Trials with the South of England Honey Show and horticulture competitions. It draws a more specialist audience than the June show but is open to all.
Full details and tickets: seas.org.uk/autumn-show
Agricultural Forum — 11 November 2026
A one-day discussion event on topical agricultural issues, led by an expert panel. This is a specialist industry event rather than a public family day out. Tickets and details at seas.org.uk.
The South of England Show for Families and Teenagers
The South of England Show on 5–7 June is worth flagging separately for families. Children under 16 enter free (suggested donation £2), which makes it one of the better-value family days out in the summer calendar.
The show covers livestock, horticulture, rural crafts, food producers, fairground rides, and outdoor entertainment. Teenagers who find standard family attractions dull often respond well to the scale and variety of a three-day agricultural show — there is enough to explore independently. The showground layout means groups can split up and meet at a central point easily.
June also puts the South of England Show just after the May half-term week. It works well as a post-holiday outing or an early-June weekend plan. For a broader look at what to do with teenagers across West Sussex, see our guide to things to do with teenagers in West Sussex.
Key Information
Getting there
By car
The showground is on Selsfield Road, Ardingly, RH17 6TL. From the south, take the A23 northbound and exit at the B2036 towards Balcombe, then follow signs to Ardingly. From Haywards Heath, take the B2028 north through Lindfield; Ardingly is signposted from the village. From the west, the B2110 from East Grinstead connects via West Hoathly. Free on-site parking for 6,000 cars — follow event signage from the approach road on the day.
By public transport
Direct public transport to Ardingly is limited. The nearest town with regular bus connections is Haywards Heath (served by Southern Railway from London Bridge, Gatwick Airport, and Brighton). From Haywards Heath station, a taxi to the showground takes around 10 minutes. There is no direct bus service timed to showground events. Check Traveline South East for any local connections if travelling without a car.
Tickets for SEAS events are sold at a discount in advance. The 10% advance discount for the South of England Show closes on 28 May 2026. Check the SEAS website for Spring Live! and Autumn Show pricing.