TRoyal Norfolk Show 2025: A County’s Pride on Parade
he Royal Norfolk Show has long been the high summer heartbeat of East Anglia. In 2025 it felt larger, livelier and more purpose-driven than ever. Over two packed days the Norfolk Showground became a celebration of farming, food, business and community. From livestock and showjumping to tractors and technology, from artisan bakers to grandring drama, the show was once again a stage where tradition met modern ambition.
Royal Norfolk Show
Scale, spirit and purpose
The show’s organisers highlighted familiar statistics in the run-up: more than 700 trade stands, over 3,000 animals and tens of thousands of visitors across two days. That scale matters. It underpins the event’s dual mission of celebrating food, farming and the countryside while also acting as a serious platform for business networking. This year’s programme leaned confidently into both. It was at once a county fair with family appeal and a commercial forum with national influence.
Visitor numbers told their own story. The Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) positioned the 2025 edition as the strongest since the pandemic, with advance ticket sales and opening day crowds reflecting a renewed appetite for the event. The atmosphere was buoyant and well managed. Ringsides were busy, avenues thronged with visitors, but careful stewarding and smooth traffic planning meant the site never lost its sense of welcome.
The Grand Ring: precision, theatre and horsepower
The Grand Ring remained the heartbeat of the show. Each day began with showjumping classes at 1.20m and 1.30m heights before moving into the Norfolk Area Trial. The programme then shifted to ceremonial spectacle with The Duke of York’s Royal Military School Marching Band. Family favourites were back in force. The Shetland Pony Derby provided laughter and thrills in equal measure, while the RAF Falcons parachute team traced their distinctive display against clear skies. The heavy horse turnouts, immaculately presented, brought a different kind of hush to the crowd. The blend of heritage, pageantry and athleticism reflected a confident understanding of what the Norfolk audience values.
Livestock: champions, craft and the Burke spotlight
The livestock rings once again underlined their national importance. Limousin breeders had particular cause for celebration, taking home the coveted Burke Trophy. One of the most prestigious inter-breed cattle awards in Britain, it confirmed the calibre of stock on show in Norfolk and followed Limousin success at the Royal Highland.
British White cattle made headlines too, with Tollesbury Tarzan named Breed Champion and strong results across male, female and junior sections. South Devon, Red Poll and other classes demonstrated strength in depth, with established herds and new entrants competing on equal footing. The overall picture was one of steady investment in genetics and showmanship.
Sheep competitions were equally strong. Blue Texels secured both individual and pairs inter-breed titles, a notable achievement that reflects the breed’s rise in prominence. The 2025 National Southdown Show added another layer of quality, drawing flocks and spectators with a specialist interest. For the general visitor the rings offered a lively and accessible introduction to Britain’s sheep diversity.
Morgan Lewis, the owner of Bakeaholics,
Royal Norfolk Show 2025
Food and drink: a county’s larder
The Adnams Food and Drink Experience was once again a central attraction. More than 120 producers offered a direct connection between farm and fork. From tasting counters and cooking demonstrations to deli stalls laden with regional produce, the space captured the strength of Norfolk’s food identity.
The launch of the permanent Norfolk Food Hall earlier in May gave the show a new dimension. It is designed to serve as a year-round hub for local produce and proved a natural extension of the show’s food and drink focus. For producers it represented a shop window with reach beyond the two show days. For visitors it was a chance to discover new brands and strengthen ties to the county’s farming base.
Royal Norfolk Show
Education and the next generation
One of the most striking features of the 2025 show was the sheer presence of school groups. Thousands of pupils used the showground as a classroom. From soil health demonstrations to robotics, animal handling to nutrition, the show positioned itself as a vital tool in inspiring the next generation of agricultural and food professionals.
Beyond agriculture, STEM-linked exhibits and youth art initiatives broadened the conversation. The message was clear: future farming and food systems will be shaped by a mix of traditional skill and modern science. Norfolk is determined to show young people how and where they can fit in.
Technology, sustainability and the modern farm
The machinery lines and trade stands showcased the tools of tomorrow. Precision technology, low-emission engines, data-driven herd management and soil monitoring systems were all on display. For farmers, the opportunity to compare new approaches in a live environment is invaluable. For the public, it was a reminder that farming is as much about engineering and science as it is about tradition.
The emphasis on sustainability was evident throughout. Exhibitors focused on efficiency, resilience and reduced environmental impact. Rather than treating sustainability as a separate theme, it was woven through every conversation, a reflection of how most farms now operate.
WHY THE ROYAL NORFOLK SHOW AND NORFOLK CHAMBERS GO HAND IN HAND
The Royal Norfolk Show has always been a celebration of everything that makes the county unique. For more than a century, it has brought together people from across Norfolk to honour the region’s agricultural heritage, rural communities and shared identity.
As the county has evolved, so too has this major flagship event. While agriculture remains at its heart, the Royal Norfolk Show has grown into a broader twoday celebration of innovation, talent and enterprise. Livestock and combine harvesters now share the spotlight with pioneering tech companies, educational institutions, charities, manufacturers and creative industries.
That evolution mirrors the mission of Norfolk Chambers, making the relationship between the two organisations a natural and increasingly powerful partnership.
Norfolk Chambers is a not-for-profit, independent business membership organisation, supporting businesses of all sizes, from ambitious start-ups and small enterprises to well-known national brands. The organisation’s core purpose is simple yet vital: connecting, supporting and giving a voice to every business in Norfolk. The Royal Norfolk Show offers a valuable platform to do exactly that.
Welcome to the Business Zone
A few years ago, Norfolk Chambers launched the Business Zone, a collaborative exhibition space located beside the Grand Ring, to offer an accessible, cost-effective opportunity for businesses to showcase their brands as part of the Show.
The aim was to create a more accessible and cost-effective way for local businesses to be part of one of the region’s most prestigious events. By providing a shared exhibition space within the Business Zone, Norfolk Chambers makes it easier for both members and non-members, especially smaller enterprises, to showcase their work and engage with attendees, all under the Chambers’ supportive umbrella.
This model has proved hugely popular. It lowers the barrier to entry, reduces costs, and creates a vibrant hub of business activity with a real sense of energy and connection. Stand bookings are also supported with optional payment plans, meaning businesses can spread the cost across 10 months.
Looking Back at 2025: Bigger, Busier and Better
This year’s Royal Norfolk Show was a clear success, with the highest attendance figures on record, helped in no small part by two days of warm, dry weather! While there may have been no Royal in attendance this year, the crowds were treated to a different kind of celebrity: Spudman, the social media sensation and TikTok icon, was serving up cheese and beans to the delight of fans and followers.
In 2025, the Zone expanded in size, allowing for more exhibitors and a broader representation of sectors. From digital consultancies and IT firms to training providers, environmental organisations, charities and engineering businesses, the diversity of exhibitors reflected the modern face of the local economy and Norfolk Chambers’ membership.
Across both days, footfall through the Zone was fantastic. Exhibitors reported strong engagement, great conversations and valuable leads. Feedback from visitors was just as positive, many noting how useful it was to have so many local businesses in one place.
One of the most appreciated features again this year was the Collaboration Zone– a calm, professional space within the Zone, complete with Wi-Fi, hot-desking and co-working areas. It provided a vital resource for exhibitors and attendees needing to check emails, make calls, or hold impromptu meetings without leaving the Showground.
Looking Ahead to 2026: Building on momentum
The response from this year’s Business Zone exhibitors was so enthusiastic that stand bookings opened for 2026 almost immediately after the gates closed on this year’s event. Interest is already high, and it’s expected that demand for stands will increase as word continues to spread.
Plans for next year include further enhancements to the Zone and new ways to support participants before, during and after the event. The aim remains the same: to provide an inclusive, dynamic platform for Norfolk businesses to be seen, make connections, and increase awareness of their products and services to a guaranteed audience of thousands.
Organisations considering exhibiting in 2026 are encouraged to register early, as demand is expected to be strong. Payment plans, marketing support and pre-event guidance will once again be available to help exhibitors make the most of their presence.
Back to Business in October
Of course, the Royal Norfolk Show isn’t the only opportunity to showcase your brand. Norfolk Chambers will be back at the Showground in October for the 27th annual B2B Exhibition, Norfolk’s leading business networking event.
B2B is the perfect place to build connections, raise your profile and tap into local opportunities. You don’t need to be a member of Norfolk Chambers to book at stand at their events, but it certainly helps!
Norfolk Chambers offers much more than event access. As a business membership organisation, it provides year-round support including marketing exposure, training, policy advocacy, business support including HR, legal, insurance and healthcare, networking and complimentary access to co-working spaces in the Business Hub located in the heart of Norwich.
Members have access to a dedicated online portal for promoting services and news, a directory listing on the Norfolk Chambers website, SEO-friendly content placement and social media amplification, all designed to help businesses reach new and engaged audiences.
With membership starting from just £30 a month, many businesses find the savings alone can cover the cost of joining.
Championing Norfolk’s business community
Thanks go to the exhibitors, visitors, partners and teams that made the 2025 Business Zone such a success. Their energy, enthusiasm and innovation are what bring the Zone to life and what continues to drive Norfolk’s business community forward.
With the Business Zone now firmly established as a cornerstone of the Royal Norfolk Show’s modern offering, the stage is set for an even more ambitious 2026.
For businesses looking to be part of it, and part of Norfolk’s biggest business network committed to celebrating all that Norfolk has to offer, Norfolk Chambers and the Royal Norfolk’s Show’s Business Zone offers the perfect platform.
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Business networking: county tent, global context
For the Norfolk business community, the show is a fixture. The Norfolk Chambers’ exhibition zone once again served as a corridor of opportunity, where small firms and growth-stage businesses mixed with larger players. Sponsors spoke of the unusually high quality of footfall for an event with such a broad audience.
The wider impact is clear. Economic analysis has placed the show’s contribution to the local economy in the tens of millions once supply chains and tourism are accounted for. It explains why local authorities, colleges and enterprise bodies consistently use the event as a platform for launches and announcements.
Logistics and visitor experience
The scale of the show requires smooth logistics, and 2025 was impressively run. Opening at 7am each day, the site felt ready and welcoming. Clear signage, efficient stewarding and well thoughtout traffic flows ensured visitors could focus on enjoying the event. Trade stands were active from 8.30am, keeping early arrivals engaged.
Royal ties and rural wellbeing
Royal involvement has been a constant of the show’s history and Norfolk’s deep connection to the Royal Family gives the event additional resonance. In recent years the focus on rural mental health and wellbeing, championed by royal foundations, has been particularly important. The show provides a natural platform for these conversations, placing the wellbeing of farming families alongside the economics of agriculture.
Why the Norfolk formula works
Many county shows share the same ingredients of livestock, machinery and food. Norfolk’s strength lies in its curation. The rings are broad enough to educate while remaining specialist enough to satisfy serious breeders. The food offering is unapologetically local and tightly edited. The business sections are treated as integral to the show rather than peripheral. The result is an event that works for children and CEOs alike.
The RNAA’s year-round work ensures the show is not just a two-day spectacle but the highlight of a permanent programme. The new Food Hall is one example of how investment continues to build a foundation for the future.
Natalie Howlett-Clarke Joint Head of Residential and Head of Office, Residential Norwich
Zoe Coomber-Jones Branch Manager at NatWest Group
Standout moments of 2025
• The RAF Falcons, Shetland Pony Derby, heavy horses and showjumping classes delivered a Grand Ring programme that drew families back again and again.
Limousin cattle claimed the prestigious Burke Trophy, confirming Norfolk’s role as a stage for the best of British livestock.
Blue Texel sheep dominated the inter-breed awards while the National Southdown Show enriched the competition.
• Over 120 producers brought energy and flavour to the Adnams Food and Drink Experience.
Thousands of schoolchildren made the showground their classroom, underlining the event’s role in inspiring future talent.
• Exhibitors reported valuable conversations and meaningful leads, reinforcing the show’s commercial importance.
Royal Norfolk Show
Looking ahead
The Royal Norfolk Show thrives because it honours its traditions while updating its delivery. It remains a place where rosettes matter, where the sight of a shire horse in full harness can stop visitors in their tracks. But it is also a serious platform for the big questions of agriculture: sustainability, digitalisation, water management, biodiversity, supply chain fairness and skills development.
For casual visitors the 2025 edition was a brilliant day out. For those working within the sector it was a reminder that Norfolk knows how to convene people, showcase excellence and host conversations that shape the future.
As the summer continues and farmers return to their fields, the memory of two bright days at the Norfolk Showground lingers as both celebration and call to action. This is more than a county show. It is the living proof of how a region can respect its heritage while planning with confidence for the years ahead.
www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk
