Thousands flock to Great British Farm-Fest

Jeremy Clarkson tells crowds “everyone needs a farmer three times a day” to roaring applause from thousands of visitors at The Great British Farm-Fest.

Held at NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, the inaugural three-day festival welcomed huge crowds basking in glorious sunshine, with more than 50,000 visitors expected across the weekend.

Families, farmers and countryside enthusiasts from across the UK came together to experience what organisers are calling “Britain’s biggest farming party.”

One of Saturday’s standout moments came when the RAF Falcons parachute display team descended spectacularly into The Country Life Butter Grand Ring, drawing cheers from packed crowds as Jeremy Clarkson saluted the team on landing.

The dramatic display added to a packed daytime programme celebrating the very best of British farming and rural life.

Throughout the day, festivalgoers gathered in their thousands for appearances from Jeremy Clarkson, Kaleb Cooper, Lisa Hogan, Charlie Ireland, Harriet Cowan and Adam Henson, with fans enjoying live discussions, stories from the farming frontline and plenty of unscripted moments that have become synonymous with the Farm-Fest atmosphere.

Visitors explored the Festival’s expansive attractions, including machinery showcases, artisan food experiences, livestock displays, Farming Hero stories, supported by RABI the farmers charity and interactive countryside activities spread across 12 packed arenas and exhibition spaces.

More than 400 specially selected exhibitors and stallholders are showcasing local produce, rural crafts and agricultural innovation throughout the weekend.

As dusk fell, the celebrations shifted to the Hawkstone Music Arena for an all star line-up including Chris Moyles, Noasis, The Shires and Sara Cox. There was also a brief interlude to cheer on The Hawkstone Farmers Choir in their Britain’s Got Talent semi-final appearance.

The Great British Farm-Fest combines the traditional spirit of a country fair with the scale and energy of a modern music festival, celebrating Britain’s farming community while opening the gates to a wider public audience.

With one day still to go, Festival Director Chris Hughes said: “The atmosphere across the site has exceeded all expectations.

“Visitors have truly been embracing our Festival’s unique blend of farming, food and country entertainment, and we can’t wait to entertain them again on our final day.”

Visitors today can expect even more farming action and fun across the 300-acre festival, including cookery demonstrations, dancing diggers, celebrity-led talks, incredible music and even the chance to win in Kaleb Cooper’s Big Barn Bonanza – Ooh Arr Win a Campervan.