The Great British Farm-Fest is turning up the volume this May, as Ceres Rural’s Charlie Ireland hosts a high-impact line-up of celebrity headline speakers, lively talks and electrifying game shows at the Big Barn Theatre, between 22 – 24 May at NAEC Stoneleigh.
Ceres Rural, the farming consultancy headed up by ‘Cheerful Charlie’ Ireland, of the nation’s favourite farming programme, will welcome guests from across the agricultural sector to speak in the Big Barn Theatre, in talks highlighting key farming challenges to panel showdowns in ‘Agriculturally Challenged’ with his celebrity friends.
Festival‑goers can look forward to sessions such as Farming Our Future, where Charlotte Smith and Charlie meet the pioneers reshaping food security and planetary protection; Farming Stories: From Farming Today to Clarkson’s Farm, spotlighting the voices who bring agriculture to the nation; and From Field to Fork, an honest look at what it really takes to produce good food.
Charlie will lead audiences through these inspiring talks and interactive sessions, all with a dash of Farm‑Fest fun – and even the chance to win some bumper prizes.
Taking place every day, Kaleb Cooper’s countryside take on ‘heads or tails’ – co‑hosted with Farming Today’s Charlotte Smith – turns the entire audience into contestants in an elimination‑style quiz, where everyone gets the chance to win. With hundreds of prizes up for grabs across the weekend, from pints of Hawkstone and Diddly Squat merchandise, holidays and more, Kaleb’s very own countryside game show promises non‑stop fun. One lucky finalist will even drive away with the top prize – a car.
Throughout the festival, the theatre will host an exciting roster of well known personalities and industry voices, bringing together big names from across the agricultural world as well as those who have embraced farming later in life. Taking to the stage will be a standout mix of talent, including farmer Lisa Hogan, JLS star turned farmer JB Gill, England rugby star Tom Youngs, Countryfile trio Adam Henson, John Craven and Tom Heap, Masterchef’s Matt Tebbutt, chef and restaurateur Jason Atherton, TV presenter Xand van Tulleken and public health policy consultant Dr Dolly van Tulleken, Groove Armada’s Andy Cato and a host of Farm-Fest’s own ambassadors. Each will share their stories, insights, and hands-on experiences – from life on the land to food, sustainability and the realities of modern farming.
“Public interest in farming and food production has never been so high,” says Charlie Ireland. “And there has never been a more important time to open the doors to our sector. We look forward to having the opportunity to showcase some of the leading voices in our industry, with some fun thrown-in, of course.”
Taking place at the historic home of the Royal Show, NAEC Stoneleigh Park, The Great British Farm-Fest will bring together farmers, artists, foodies and families for three days of rural celebration, featuring incredible live music, delicious British cuisine and famous faces including Jeremy Clarkson, Matt Tebbutt and Adam Henson.
Visitors can also expect to also see The Farmer’s Dog, award-winning Hawkstone Beer and Cider and Diddly Squat Farm Shop, as well as confirmed acts Groove Armada (DJ Set), Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Alex James’ Britpop Classical, 10cc and DJ Chris Moyles, and many others. It will be the perfect blend of live music, farming icons, acclaimed chefs, culinary creativity and activities for the whole family, full to bursting with fresh festival energy.
Adult day tickets start from just £60*, with VIP, Weekend and Camping options also available. Farmers and their families will also benefit from half price tickets which have been specifically allocated to four farming partners.
For more information about the timetable at the Big Barn Theatre and tickets, please visit the Farm-Fest website.