This year's Royal Bath & West Show offered something for all the family, not least the interactive rural educational sections. From Lakeside Farm to the bee and honey marquee, families discovered the journey from field to fork, with experts on-hand to share valuable insights from the very people who grow their food.

Lakeside Farm

Incorporating the education hub of the Royal Bath & West of England Society, Lakeside Farm provides a showcase for UK agriculture.

One of the top-rated areas on the showground, it is managed by chief steward, Sue Sealey, who has been in the role for four years. A farmer's daughter from Lancashire, Sue is now married to a local dairy farmer and knows only too well the challenges of modern-day farming. With a background in working with adult and city learners, looking after non-traditional learners is in her DNA.

"The best thing about Lakeside Farm is that it gives visitors the chance to see it, smell it, feel it, touch it and taste it," she said. "There is something for all visitors to do, both young and old." From 'milking' a life size model cow to tasting cheese and seeing livestock up close, visitors could get a feel for all aspects of agriculture.  

A large team of volunteers help to run Lakeside Farm, and many are from farming families within a five-mile radius of the show. Ranging in age from six to 84, they are on-hand to answer any questions the public might have. "There's a big disconnect from farming," explained Mrs Sealey. "So this is an important opportunity to connect with our customer and engage on their level."

Bees and honey

Over in the bee and honey marquee, it turns out that good can come from watching television. "[My love of bees] all started from watching 'The Good Life'," said Chris Rowlings at the Wiltshire Beekeepers Association (WBKA).

His passion for bees flowered from the 1975 sitcom about the importance of self-sufficiency. It only took six weeks at college before he was hooked on bees, and he has grown production from two to, now, 40 hives 50 years later.

Mr Rowlings joined the Bees and Honey Committee at the Royal Bath & West Show and has spent the last 20 years as Chief Steward, driven by a desire to promote the sector. The marquee is now one of the biggest of its kind across the county shows, with 703 entries colonising this year's honey competition.

"Friendly competition has been encouraged between counties," said Mr Rowlings, in his Wiltshire County corner of the marquee. But that competition evaporates when it comes to the mead tasting! In this discipline, he has won a multitude of awards at national level; as has his wife, who leads workshops and has won competitions for her Bees Wax Flower displays.

"Education is my number one importance," said Mr Rowlings. This is especially true of younger generation, and extends to all pollinators, not just bees. "Don't be afraid of bees," he urged. "Anyone can get hooked on these fascinating pollinators." His seven-year-old granddaughter helps perform demonstrations at any opportunity: A true glimmer of hope for future hives.

To discover more insights from this year's show visit: Royal Bath & West Show 2026