Melplash Show
Thursday 26 August 2027
The West Bay Show Grounds, Bridport, Dorset(DT6 4EG)
Melplash Show puts farming first. Run by the Melplash Agricultural Society, founded in 1847, it takes over the showground on the West Bay Road at Bridport, West Dorset, for one day each August, and the show puts its crowd at around 17,000, spectators and competitors together. Pigs, goats, sheep and cattle go before the judges alongside horses and heavy horses, and the day's highlight is the parade of prize-winning animals. Hundreds of homecraft and horticulture classes fill their own marquees, a Food Hall gathers local producers, and tractors are among the goods on more than 400 trade stands. Families can follow food back to the farm with hands-on activities in the Discover Farming marquee, and the public car park is free.
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What to expect
Date & times
Thursday 26 August 2027
Getting there
The West Bay Show Grounds, Bridport, Dorset (DT6 4EG for sat nav)
Dog friendliness
1 🐾 — limited dog access
Accessibility
Available: Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking. Not confirmed: Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible viewing areas.
Vendors & traders
Vendor list coming soon
Live schedule
Full timetable available when show goes live
Interactive map
Site map with GPS location available when show goes live
Live announcements
Real-time updates available when show goes live
Dog friendliness
1/5
Dogs are welcome at this show, on a lead, across the outdoor showground.
Dogs allowed in:
- Outdoor areas (on a lead)
Dogs not allowed in:
- Food and drink areas
- Near livestock
Restrictions are in place for the safety and comfort of all visitors and animals.
Notes
The show's Tickets page, which carries the 2026 edition, says dogs are most welcome provided they are on a non-retractable lead, and are not allowed in the Food Hall or the livestock showing areas. Dogs are welcome on the park and ride buses. Please check the show's website for the 2027 rules before you travel.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas by law.
Accessibility
Confirmed:
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking / blue badge parking
Not confirmed:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Step-free access
- Accessible viewing areas
Notes
The showground is level green fields, entirely grass, so the show asks you to consider the ground conditions in the weather on the day. Blue Badge holders are directed by the parking stewards to a forward accessible car parking area in the public car park, off the A35; display your badge clearly. Accessaloo provides a fully accessible toilet and changing place, staffed by an attendant, in the countryside field near the public beer tent. Mobility scooters and wheelchairs can be hired from Advanced Mobility and collected at the front of the public car park. Essential carer tickets are sold in advance with a full-price adult ticket. A Rest Tent near the toilets is a quieter place to sit, with baby changing and feeding. The show hasn't published details of accessible viewing.
Frequently asked questions
When is Melplash Show 2027?
Melplash Show 2027 takes place on Thursday 26 August 2027. The show is held on the last Thursday before the August Bank Holiday.
Where is Melplash Show?
At the West Bay Show Grounds, Bridport, Dorset, postcode DT6 4EG. The show says the showground is along the West Bay Road near Bridport.
Is there parking at Melplash Show?
Yes. The show says a free public car park is along the A35 at Bridport, near Groves Garden Centre. Blue badge holders park at the front of the public car park, with the badge clearly displayed. For 2026 the show also ran two free park and ride sites, at Burton Road (off the B3157) and Walditch (off the A35); check the website for the 2027 arrangements.
How much are tickets for Melplash Show?
The show has not published 2027 ticket prices. For the 2026 show, adult tickets were 23.50 pounds in advance and 26 pounds on the day, and children aged 16 and under went free without a ticket. Essential carer tickets were free but only available in advance, bought with a full-priced adult ticket, with proof such as a blue badge or a DLA or PIP award letter.
What time does Melplash Show open?
For the 2026 show the gates were open to the public from 8.30am to 6.00pm. The show has not published its 2027 times.
Can I take my dog to Melplash Show?
The show's Tickets page says dogs are most welcome provided they are on a non-retractable lead, and that they are not allowed in the Food Hall or the livestock showing areas. It adds that dogs are welcome to travel on the park and ride buses. That page carries the 2026 edition, so check the 2027 rules before you travel.
Is Melplash Show accessible?
The showground is level green fields, entirely grass, so consider the ground conditions in the weather on the day. Parking stewards direct Blue Badge holders to a forward accessible car parking area in the public car park, off the A35. Accessaloo provides a fully accessible toilet and changing place, staffed by an attendant, in the countryside field near the public beer tent. Mobility scooters and wheelchairs can be hired from Advanced Mobility. Essential carer tickets are sold in advance with a full-price adult ticket, and a Rest Tent near the toilets offers a quieter place to sit. Guide dogs are welcome in all areas.
What is on at Melplash Show?
The show has livestock classes for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, horse showing and show jumping, heavy horses, a parade of award-winning animals, and hundreds of homecraft and horticulture classes in the Homecraft and Horticulture marquees. It also has the Discover Farming marquee, a Food Hall and over 400 trade stands. In 2026 the programme also included a Countryside Arena, rural craft demonstrations and a vintage tractor display. The 2027 timetable has not been published.
How do I enter a class at Melplash Show?
Entries are made online through the show's website, and the show also offers printable entry forms. The schedules on the show's website cover homecrafts and horticulture, livestock, and horse and pony classes; those shown are the 2026 schedules. The 2027 schedules and closing dates have not been published.
How do I get to Melplash Show without driving?
The show says its nearest stations are Crewkerne and Dorchester South. For 2026 it ran a free bus service covering the Lyme Regis, Charmouth and Bridport areas, plus two park and ride services around Bridport. The show has not published 2027 transport details.
Is this your show?
This is a basic listing we've put together so visitors can find Melplash Show. If you're on the committee, you can claim it — take control of the page, add your schedule, map and more.
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