Showtime at county ground

A life-like baby dinosaur, a pint-sized pony Grand National and crowdpleaser Titan the Robot are among more than 150 activities on offer at this summer’s Kent County Show. The show, held at the Kent Showground in Detling, Maidstone, will be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 7, 8 and 9, and is put on by the Kent County Agricultural Society. Show manager Lucy Hegarty said: “Our job is to balance the more traditional displays alongside some new, unique and contemporary entertainment.” The main Astor Ring will feature The Shetland Pony Grand National on all three days, featuring young jockeys from eight to 13 years. New this year is a visit by Dexter, a two-year-old baby Tyrannosaurus, a 4m-long lifelike part animatronic dinosaur. Stiltwalkers Mr and Mrs Flora will patrol the site, covered from head-to-toe in flowers. Tractor Ted will be back for 2017 as will crowdpleaser Titan the Robot. New this year is the Old Milk Parlour, a display of a vintage dairy showing how milk was produced from udder to the breakfast table. There’s also the Sheep Show, birds of prey and the dog and duck display. Tickets are on sale online at early bird rates of £45 for a family (£50 on the gate). Under fives go free and parking is free. Adult tickets are £20.70 in advance (£23 at the gate), a child ticket is £6.30 in advance (£7 on the gate). The show is open 8am to 6pm.

To book and for more details go to kentshowground.co.uk