The Great Yorkshire Show (GYS) is an agricultural show which takes place on the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, North Yorkshire in the North of England annually from the second Tuesday of July until the following Friday. It is organised and run by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS). Since the demise of the Royal Show the GYS has been the largest agricultural show in England, however within the UK it is surpassed by both the Royal Welsh Show and the Royal Highland Show. The show is highly successful and the society generated income of £9.6 million in 2016. A new Hall at the showground, costing £11 million, opened in 2016 and produced more than £1 million of income in its first year.

History

The history of the GYS is intimately connected with that of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS).

Showground

The Great Yorkshire Showground is situated off Railway Road, on the outskirts of Harrogate. The site is 250 acre in area, and consists mainly of grassland with several permanent structures. These include: The showground facilities are used all the year round for various functions and events ranging from the Great Yorkshire Show to antiques fairs, trade shows, business conferences and wedding receptions. It is estimated that one million people visit the showground per year.

Royal visits

The relationship between the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and the Royal Family goes right back to the foundation of the Society by a group of leading agriculturalists, led by the John Spencer, 3rd Earl Spencer, in 1837 before organising the first Great Yorkshire Show the following year. The Show has welcomed members of the Royal Family over the years, some of whom have also been Patrons of the Society. Queen Elizabeth II was the first female Patron of the Society, and remained so for 45 years from 1952 to 1997. King Charles III has been the Society’s Patron since 1998.

List of royal visits