Join us for The Kent County Show from 9th to 11th July 2027 at Kent Event Centre, Maidstone, showcasing the best in farming, agriculture, and rural life.
Dates
9–11 Jul 2027
City / country
Maidstone, United Kingdom
Venue
Kent Event Centre
Time
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
Event overview
The Kent County Show is the Society’s flagship event for farming, agriculture, and rural life in Kent. Join us on 9th, 10th & 11th July 2027 for the 96th Show, showcasing the very best of what the ‘Garden of England’ has to offer.
From animals to tractors, showjumping, food, and flowers, the Kent County Show has been entertaining and educating since 1923. The Kent County Show 2026 2027 takes place in Maidstone, United Kingdom.
TL;DR
Three days of livestock judging, equine classes and rural craft on the Kent Event Centre showground at Detling, a short drive from Maidstone town centre. Early-bird tickets will be available later in 2026; join the mailing list for updates. Programme highlight: Livestock and equine competitions. Programme highlight: Living Land education area. Programme highlight: Trade stands across the showground.
A stand at Detling puts your business in front of Kent farmers, landowners, equestrian households and rural families across all three days, not a single afternoon. This flagship event showcases the best of farming, agriculture, and rural life in Kent. Experience the best of Kent's agricultural heritage and rural life. Attendees include families, farmers, and agricultural professionals interested in rural life.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom
Kent Event Centre in Maidstone typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Kent Event Centre in Maidstone typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Kent Event Centre for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Event days & opening times
Who runs the show
the Kent County Agricultural Society, a registered charity whose mission is to support loc
Organiser
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Edition #: 95th
Next edition
Not announced yet
Edition recap
Impact
The 95th Kent County Show saw visitors flock to the Kent Showground in Detling, according to the Kent County Agricultural Society's post-show release. The event was the latest completed edition before the 2027 show. It took place at the Kent Event Centre and formed part of the Society's ongoing agriculture and county-show programme.
Audience quality
The 95th Kent County Show saw visitors flock to the Kent Showground in Detling, according to the Kent County Agricultural Society's post-show release. The event was the latest completed edition before the 2027 show. It took place at the Kent Event Centre and formed part of the Society's ongoing agriculture and county-show programme.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
On 2027-07-09 to 2027-07-11, The Kent County Show 2026 2027 in Maidstone covering Farm machinery and equipment, Local produce and food products, Livestock and animal husbandry supplies, Gardening and ho gives food buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Latest updates from across the market.
Kent County Show - Kent County Agricultural Society
ReadKent County Council returns to the Kent County Show
ReadKent County Show 2026 takes place in Detling - Kent Online
ReadAzets sponsors Kent County Show 2026 - Produced in Kent
ReadTrade At Kent County Show 2027 ... - Kent County Show - Facebook
ReadTickets - Kent County Agricultural Society
ReadPlan your trip
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
The Black Horse Inn
Capture lists it as a 4-star hotel with breakfast (chargeable), free Wi-Fi, free parking, bar and restaurant, rated 4.6.
Days Inn by Wyndham Maidstone
Capture shows breakfast (chargeable), free Wi-Fi, free parking; guest rating 3.8 from 817 reviews.
Travelodge Medway M2
Budget roadside hotel with breakfast (chargeable), free Wi-Fi, free parking.
Travelodge Maidstone Central
Capture shows free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free parking, air conditioning, bar and restaurant; guest rating 3.9.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
rail
No direct rail link from Gatwick to Maidstone; journey planners route you via Redhill, Tonbridge or a London terminal. Buy on the day or in advance, and allow extra time for the change with luggage.
rail
Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express into central London, then a Southeastern service out of Victoria or London Bridge towards Maidstone East. Faster and cheaper than a taxi, especially in weekday traffic.
rail
Eurostar passengers arriving at St Pancras can transfer across London to Victoria or London Bridge for the Maidstone service. Book the onward leg with the Eurostar ticket where possible for through protection.
taxi
Pre-book rather than rely on the rank for a long cross-Kent run. Journey time is traffic dependent, and the M25/M20 stretch can add significant time on weekday afternoons.
taxi
The longest of the airport taxi runs listed here. Rail into London and onward to Maidstone is generally cheaper and more predictable if you are travelling light.
taxi
Short local hop of a few kilometres. Useful if you are staying at a town-centre hotel and do not want to drive to the showground car parks.
bus
Local buses run along the Detling corridor. Check the operator's timetable for show weekend and confirm the stop closest to the pedestrian entrance before you set out.
parking
On-site parking is available at the Kent Event Centre. Grass parking can be soft after rain, so follow steward directions and wear footwear that copes with mud.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
Weather
Mid-July in mid-Kent is warm but changeable: daytime highs typically sit around 21-23 C, with cooler starts near 13-14 C and occasional hotter spells above 28 C. Showers are common in any week and can be heavy and brief, and the showground is largely open grass and track with limited shade in the rings. Plan for sun and rain in the same afternoon, keep a waterproof layer in your bag, and expect grass parking to soften after overnight rain. Values are seasonal norms rather than a forecast - check a Met Office forecast for Maidstone in the days before you travel.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
UK mobile networks offer prepaid SIM and eSIM options for visitors; venue Wi‑Fi availability varies - confirm with the organiser.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Livestock ring etiquette
Never cut across a ring while animals are being judged, keep behind the ringside barrier, and ask before photographing handlers or animals. Dogs should be kept on a short lead and away from the livestock lines, even where the showground permits dogs.
What to wear
Rural smart-casual is the norm at a county show: jeans, a shirt or polo and a waterproof jacket work for both the ringside and a trade stand meeting. Wellies or sturdy boots are entirely acceptable and often necessary on wet grass - nobody will read them as scruffy.
Paying on the showground
Gate and main stand payments in the UK are mostly contactless, but small craft, food and game stalls often prefer cash and some keep a cash-only queue. Carry a little Sterling for small purchases and keep a card for anything larger.
Timing your day
Gates typically open in the morning and the judging timetable runs from mid-morning. Arrive early for badge or ticket check queues and to get into the car parks before the mid-morning build-up, and check the printed programme for the grand parade and prize-givings so you are ringside in time.
Eating and drinking nearby
Pubs and restaurants in Detling, Maidstone and the surrounding villages are busy on show evenings, so book a table for dinner rather than turning up. Tipping is not expected at showground food stalls, and normal UK service norms apply in restaurants.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Compare flights to the nearest international gateway serving Maidstone; confirm ground transport on the organiser site.
Attending the Kent County Show as a business visitor is normally covered by the UK Standard Visitor route. Check the GOV.UK visa requirements list for your nationality and apply before travel if a visa is required.
Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.
The GOV.UK 'Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor: Visit on business' page is the authoritative source for permitted business activities; the August 2026 UK visa requirements PDF lists nationalities that need a visa before travelling.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Use the nearest international airport serving Maidstone; Metro, train or taxi links are typically available to the venue district.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Kent Event Centre: Near Kent Event Centre (about 1.1 km): The Black Horse Inn; About 4.1 km from Kent Event Centre: Days Inn by Wyndham Maidstone; About 4.5 km from Kent Event Centre: Travelodge Medway M2.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Maidstone; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Bus and train routes to The Kent Event Centre are mapped by Moovit; the venue's own visiting page and the Kent County Show first-time visitor guide are the official references for showground arrival, parking and shuttle arrangements.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Kent Event Centre; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: July 2027
Temperature: Expect roughly 13-23 C across a mid-July show day in Maidstone, with the coolest temperatures at opening time and the warmest stretch from early to mid-afternoon. Short hot spells pushing above 28 C are possible in the southeast in July but are not the norm. Treat these as seasonal norms rather than a forecast and re-check a Met Office forecast in the week before you travel.
Seasonality: July is generally one of the drier months in Kent, but this is changeable maritime weather, so a show week can still deliver sharp showers, a grey day or a brief heatwave. The showground is fully outdoor, with grass tracks and rings, so rain in the days beforehand matters as much as rain on the day - it softens car parks and makes the ground underfoot heavier.
Packing: Pack light layers you can add or shed, a breathable waterproof shell, and footwear that copes with wet grass - sturdy boots or wellies are the safest choice for an outdoor showground. Add a sun hat, high-factor sunscreen and a refillable water bottle for hot afternoons, and a folding seat or blanket if you plan to spend time ringside. Bring cash for small stalls and a charged power bank, since a full day out with photos drains a phone quickly.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at The Kent County Show 2026 2027 usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
Book tickets for the day or days you want through the Kent County Agricultural Society, and check GOV.UK Standard Visitor rules if you need a visa for a business or leisure visit. — Early-bird pricing is usually announced in the year before the show; if tickets are not yet on sale, join the organiser mailing list. Use the GOV.UK visit-on-business page for entry rules.
Book accommodation around Maidstone or Detling and decide whether you will drive in or use bus and rail to the showground. — Captured options sit 1-6 km from the Kent Event Centre, from country inns such as The Black Horse Inn to town-centre Travelodges in Maidstone. Show weekends sell out first.
Read the Kent County Show schedule and what's-on pages, then shortlist the livestock, equine, heavy horse and Living Land sessions you want to see. — Classes are tied to fixed times in the rings, so a shortlist beats arriving without a plan. Note the grand parade slot for the day you attend.
Download or print your tickets, confirm parking or bus arrangements on the venue visiting page, and check the forecast before packing. — The showground is largely open air with grass tracks, so footwear and a waterproof layer matter more than smart clothes. Bring cash for small craft and food stalls.
Registration and hall orientation at Kent Event Centre
Supplier meetings and product demos
Final negotiations and follow-up
The Kent County Show 2026 2027 registration concourse
Kent Event Centre
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Kent Event Centre
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Use this quick check to decide whether The Kent County Show 2026 2027 fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For The Kent County Show 2026 2027, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Farm machinery and equipment and Local produce and food products solutions and benchmarking suppliers at The Kent County Show 2026 2027 in Maidstone.
Min. budget
$450.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Farm machinery and equipment and Local produce and food products products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$2,200.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Maidstone show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
Gallery
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
1 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
6
References
1
Publishers
0
Date checked
Kent County Agricultural Society
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