This year will see the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society celebrate its 20th year of hosting the Smallholding and Countryside Festival in May.

The weekend of May 16-17 will showcase the real diversity of the Welsh countryside, with Smallholding and Country pursuits at the heart of the event.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for your garden, allotment or help that seedling idea of a new business venture, the Festival is the place to be.

Whether you are already enjoying the county life or are looking to improve your skills and knowledge there will be plenty here for you to see and learn.

The Smallholders Centre will be the centre for those wanting to learn more about the smallholder’s way of life, with the speaker’s area, workshops and business lounge running throughout the event.

Along with this, we have our new Rural Diversification Showcase Zone running at the Smallholders Centre this year where there will be plenty for everyone to learn. If you are after a couple of chickens to add to your flock, or anything from a new bucket to a new tool kit, you’ll find what you need at this event.

It wouldn’t be a Royal Welsh event without showcasing the best food and drink produce that Wales and the border counties has to offer. If it's take home treats for later or something to eat at the festival you can find it hear in our food areas.

If you’re interested in learning more about the art of shearing and woolhandling the shearing shed is the place to go. There will be blade shearing and woolhandling demonstrations throughout the event with the return of the woolhandling competition for those to sign up and take part in too.

Other competitions include, pygmy goats, sheep, cattle, pig and equine classes. New to the livestock sections there will be new blue Texel section and two new sections for dairy youngstock and younghandlers. Schedules will be released in March.

“The Festival will be full of information, fun and entertainment for all the family, and we are excited to be bringing in new sections to the livestock competitions and new areas to the festival itself” says Geraint James, honorary festival director.

“Whether you’re well established in the smallholding community or want to learn more about it, you can show off your skills and learn new ones by having a go at anything from milking a cow to spinning wool here at the Smallholding and Countryside Festival”

New this year, will be the addition of the Wedding Festival zone – a chance to look at the more unique wedding venues with a festival feel.

So if you are planning your own wedding or want to find something new and unique for your event, then come and see the handpicked suppliers from across Wales to help make your celebration something really special.

As usual all the other attractions and popular areas will still be there for you to explore and enjoy. Hundreds of horse classes scurry driving, Welsh Festival of Land Rovers, show jumping and much more to see.

The Country Life area which features the only premier open dog show held in Wales will be back along with children’s activities, country pursuits and much more.

Once again all children aged 16 years and under will have free entry in to the festival. Buy your tickets online now and get them at a discounted price. Free parking available close to all entrances so it is only a short walk to the festival.

More details coming soon at rwas.wales