Opinion: Spring Live! – A celebration of the countryside returns to Ardingly

For families, gardeners, animal lovers and anyone with an interest in country life, it has become a familiar and much anticipated date in the calendar.

I have visited the event several times over the years as a journalist and what has always struck me is the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Unlike some of the larger agricultural shows later in the season, Spring Live! feels easy to explore and refreshingly informal. It offers a genuine glimpse of countryside life without the scale becoming overwhelming, which makes it particularly appealing for families with younger children.

Held at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, the event also supports an important cause. Spring Live! is organised in aid of the South of England Agricultural Society, a long established charity that funds and supports agricultural education and countryside learning. In other words, a visit does more than provide an enjoyable day out. It also helps support the next generation of farmers, growers and rural professionals.

One of the pleasures of Spring Live! is the variety of activities taking place across the showground. Within a short walk you might move from watching livestock displays to exploring craft stalls or learning about plants and gardening.

The Animal Barn is always a highlight, particularly for younger visitors who enjoy the opportunity to see farm animals at close quarters. Nearby the Pygmy Goat Show regularly attracts an appreciative audience. The goats may be small in size but they have plenty of personality, and the show is both entertaining and surprisingly informative.

Elsewhere on the showground the South of England Alpaca Show offers visitors a chance to see these striking animals up close. Alpacas have become increasingly popular in recent years and the event provides a fascinating insight into the world of alpaca breeding and fibre production.

Spring Live! also manages to mix traditional countryside themes with a sense of fun. The Sheep Show is a good example. Combining humour with useful information about sheep farming, it keeps the audience engaged while offering a light hearted look at rural life.

There are also some unexpected attractions. A Bubbleologist creates vast shimmering bubbles that drift across the showground and delight children and adults alike, while the RPM Biketrials team demonstrate impressive bicycle stunt riding that draws enthusiastic crowds.

Another strength of the event is that visitors are encouraged to take part rather than simply watch. Circus workshops give children the chance to try juggling and other skills, while creative activities such as wand making bring a touch of imagination to the day.

For those interested in gardening and growing, Spring Live! arrives at just the right moment in the season. Displays of plants and flowers provide plenty of inspiration for gardens and allotments, while specialist stalls offer plants, tools and advice.

Food is also an important part of the experience. Local producers showcase a range of regional flavours and visitors can sample or purchase everything from artisan treats to traditional countryside fare.

What makes the event particularly appealing is that many of these activities are included in the ticket price. Admission is priced from £12.60 to £16.00, with under sixteen year olds admitted free and members of the South of England Agricultural Society also receiving free entry. It remains one of the more accessible countryside events in the region for families looking for a full day out.

In many ways the event acts as a gentle introduction to the showground’s larger summer gathering. In June the South of England Show returns to Ardingly, bringing with it hundreds of exhibitors, livestock competitions, equestrian displays and large arena attractions.

While Spring Live! offers a more intimate look at rural life, the summer show expands the experience on a much bigger scale. Many visitors enjoy attending both, treating Spring Live! as an early taste of what the showground will offer later in the season.

Behind the entertainment lies a serious purpose. Through events such as Spring Live! and the South of England Show, the South of England Agricultural Society continues its work supporting education, skills and awareness of the countryside.

In a region where many people live busy urban lives, these gatherings offer an opportunity to reconnect with farming, food production and the landscape that surrounds us.

Perhaps that is why Spring Live! remains so appealing. It is not simply a show. It is a relaxed day in the fresh air, full of small discoveries, friendly conversations and reminders of the richness of the countryside.

You may arrive planning to stay for a couple of hours but it is easy to find the afternoon slipping away while watching a display, chatting to a grower or exploring the many corners of the showground.

As spring settles across Sussex and summer approaches, it provides a timely reminder that the countryside still has plenty to celebrate.