The Cheshire Agricultural Society was founded in 1838 by
Stapleton Cotton, 1st Viscount Combermere and fellow Cheshire landowners, with the stated mission "To promote agriculture and encourage the industrious and moral habits of the labouring portion of the community." The society organised exhibitions and competitions for farms to participate in. The Cheshire Show was first held at the
Roodee in
Chester in 1893. The show began to struggle by the 1970s, but was revived in mid-Cheshire in 1977 after three years of not being held. After several years at
Tatton Park, the show moved to its current Tabley showground in 1990. In 2001, the show was cancelled for only the second time in its history due to the
national outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease that affected nearby
Little Leigh. 19 years later, the
COVID-19 pandemic caused their third cancellation; though some events went virtual. The show attracts Royal involvement, with
Princess Anne becoming the first Lady President of the show in 1999. She reprised her role for the 2013 show, and visited the showground on the second day. ==Attractions==