A major rural family event is returning to West Oxfordshire next month, with organisers of the Oxfordshire YFC County Show and Rally expecting more than 4,000 visitors at this year’s event near Witney.
The Oxfordshire YFC County Show and Rally takes place on Sunday 24 May 2026 at South Farm, Shifford, near Witney, with gates opening to the public at 9.30am. The event is hosted this year by Witney Young Farmers and is being promoted as a full day out for all ages, combining farming displays, competitions, animals, food, trade stands and family entertainment.
What is the Oxfordshire YFC County Show and Rally?
The County Show and Rally is the Oxfordshire Federation of Young Farmers’ annual showcase of rural skills, competitions and countryside life, and the organisation describes it as its largest fundraising event of the year. All proceeds go back into Oxfordshire Young Farmers’ Clubs to support training, activities and opportunities for young members across the county.
The wider federation says it is Oxfordshire’s largest rural youth organisation, with around 300 members across 11 clubs, and that it is open to young people aged 10 to 28, whether or not they come from a farming background.
What can visitors expect on the day?
The official show website says the event will include main ring entertainment, rural craft exhibits, trade stands and a wide range of activities, while the promotional poster adds more detail on what families can expect on the ground.
Among the attractions advertised are:
- Bob Hogg sheepdogs
- Suffolk Punches heavy horse display
- Millets Farm falconry
- ferret racing
- sheep shearing
- a climbing wall
- vintage steam engines and tractors
- a miniature railway
- craft barn trade stands
- bouncy castles
- a dog show
- tug of war
- on-site food and bar options
The official trade stand list also shows a broad mix of exhibitors and attractions already booked in, including Kaleb Cooper Contracting, NFU Mutual Witney, Thames Valley Police Rural Crime Team, Blue Cross, Owl Conservation Project, Highland Adventure Climbing Wall, Witney Fire Station and Woolsey’s Miniature Train.
Young Farmers competitions at the heart of the show
Alongside the public attractions, the event remains first and foremost a rally for Young Farmers from across Oxfordshire.
The official competition schedule shows a surprisingly broad programme, including everything from stock and dog breed identification to line dancing, singing, floral art, brick laying, public speaking-style display classes, cookery, photography, ATV efficiency, stack and strap bales and even synchronised wheelbarrows.
That mix of practical, creative and sometimes slightly eccentric contests is part of what gives county rallies their distinctive atmosphere, and it is also one of the reasons the event appeals to visitors beyond the farming community.
Tickets, prices and parking
The official site says parking is free, with admissions taken while visitors are still in their vehicles to help keep queues moving. It also notes that advance tickets are cheaper than on-the-day prices.
According to the event’s ticket listing and promotional poster, early bird tickets are priced at:
- Adults (16 and over): £10
- Children aged 10 to 15: £5
- Oxfordshire YFC members: £5
- Under-10s: free
- Dogs: free
Where is South Farm and how easy is it to get to?
The show takes place at South Farm, Shifford, Witney, OX29 7QP, by kind permission of the Hook family. The event site confirms the address and says designated disabled parking will be available near the entrance for Blue Badge holders. Service dogs are also welcome.
For Oxfordshire readers, the location places the event within easy reach of Witney, Carterton, Oxford, Faringdon and much of West Oxfordshire, making it a plausible day out for families looking for something more rural and hands-on over the late May bank holiday weekend.
Why it matters locally
Events like this are not just shows. They are also a public-facing reminder of the role young farmers’ clubs still play in county life.
Oxfordshire YFC says members get involved in competitions, community activity, travel, fundraising and rural campaigning, and the annual county show remains one of the clearest windows into that world for the wider public.
For families, the attraction is simpler: lots to do, plenty to watch, and a mix of tractors, animals, competitions and food in one place.
At a glance
| Detail | Information |
| Event | Oxfordshire YFC County Show and Rally |
| Date | Sunday 24 May 2026 |
| Public gates open | 9.30am |
| Venue | South Farm, Shifford, near Witney, OX29 7QP |
| Hosted by | Witney Young Farmers |
| Tickets | Adults £10, children 10–15 £5, YFC members £5, under-10s free |
| Parking | Free |
| Includes | Young Farmers competitions, trade stands, animals, food, family attractions |
FAQs
What is the Oxfordshire YFC County Show and Rally?
It is the Oxfordshire Federation of Young Farmers’ annual county show and rally, combining rural competitions, family entertainment, trade stands and fundraising.
When is the Oxfordshire YFC County Show 2026?
It takes place on Sunday 24 May 2026.
Where is the event being held?
This year’s show is at South Farm, Shifford, near Witney.
What time do the gates open?
The general public can enter from 9.30am.
Is parking free?
Yes. The event website says parking is free on site.
Do you have to be a farmer to enjoy it?
No. Oxfordshire YFC says the organisation is open to young people with an interest in the countryside, whether or not they come from farming backgrounds, and the show itself is promoted as a family day out for all.
