YOUR GUIDE TO FREE FUN AT THE COUNTY SHOW

Free and Fabulous: the team have rounded up their no-cost favourites of what to see and do (if you can tear yourself away from the Main Ring and watching the livestock classes, of course)...

*NEW FOR 2024* Tomahawk Throwing! You can find this in the Woodland Area – just turn up to have a go, courtesy of Buddens Activity Centre

There's a whole heap of free activities in the Fabulous Food & Farming section –this hands-on area traces the journey of food from field to fork! You can try milking a cow, complete some big puzzles, have a go at Farming Simulator or maybe drive the remote controlled tractors!

While you're in the Countryside Area you can watch the blur that is the Dorset Axemen: be ready to be amazed at the speed and accuracy of their razor sharp axes and saws. Opposite them in the Countryside Ring you can watch the Xtreme Falconry display team – these amazing birds of prey are super-speedy flyers who will amaze you with their daring dexterity – and the Gun Dog Display. And yes, it's so much more than a game of fetch! Watch the skill of a trained gun dog in action as these intelligent animals demonstrate their remarkable obedience and retrieval skills.

The Steam Engine Section offers all the sights and smells of the past, and near the Vintage Ring every farmer's heart will be happy at the sight of the vintage tractors.

Everyone loves to Meet a Heavy Horse –just head to the Heavy Horse Village and you can not only see them parading and competing but also go and say hello, and stroke some giant velvet noses too.

The Sheep Shearing competitions are an unmissable spectacle – watch as professional shearers battle it out in a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled showdown!

Make your way to the Hill Top Zone, where a busy timetable of exciting entertainment is sure to keep you busy. The Mounted Pony Club Games are exciting and so much fun to watch - think school sports day, but on a pony! There's also the thrill of the Shetland Pony Racing – cheer the junior jockeys on over the jumps in a a spectacular showcase of speed and spirit! You can also see Toby Hoad and his three sturdy Comtois – Ettie, Celine and Fleur – French mountain draft horses demonstrate the art of Heavy Horse Logging. Toby, who lives in Dorset, is one of only 12 UK full-time horse loggers: a 10,000 year-old skill which is enjoying new-found popularity in modern conservation.

And of course – everyone's favourite dancing sheep can be found at The Sheep Show. No matter how many times you've watched it before, you always learn something new, laugh a lot ... and never fail to fall in love with Dougie, Nobby, Belinda and co.

And finally, when your feet are aching and you're in need of refreshment, head to the Food & Drink area. Wander the Food Hall and try all the samples, and then head oustide for a sit down by the music tent, listen to the live bands and relax under the gentle flap of the festival flags.