Where: Cirencester Park

When: Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2, 2017

One of the Cotswolds' most popular family events celebrating the great British countryside is taking over Cirencester Park this weekend.

Now in its 29th year, the Cotswold Show and Food Festival provides a winning mix of family entertainment, activity arenas and 250 trade stands and food stalls with exhibitors showcasing the best of the countryside, its history, traditions and produce.

Headlining the main Bathurst Arena for the first time is the jousting display, Horsemen of the Knight, providing action-packed stunts, trick riding of the highest standard, amazing horses and horsemanship, sword fights and fire.

British Scurry & Trials Driving - The Arena Challenge is carriage driving in miniature. Ponies and carriages fly around an obstacle course against the clock with all sizes and shapes of ponies taking part.

Parachuting into the Bathurst Arena will be Jump4Heroes - The Royal British Legion Extreme Human Flight Team. As serving and former members of the Army they support charities that help the Armed Forces by both fundraising and increasing public awareness of the charities and their plight.

New this year is an entire area dedicated to man's best friend. The World of Dogs will feature terrier and lurcher racing, as well as dog shows for both breeds. There will be dog agility displays as well as a have-a-go dog agility course and a family dog show on both days.

Working dogs will also be on display. International sheepdog handler Tom Longton will be working his dogs with ducks, geese and sheep, providing an interesting insight into this age-old partnership.

Originally founded as a showcase for countryside pursuits, show visitors can expect to learn all about traditional rural skills through demonstrations and hands-on experience. Have-a-go at shooting clays, archery and even ferret racing and watch the experts at work in displays of falconry, saddlery, beekeeping, wood carving and more.

The show's original ethos 'where town meets country' is still adhered to with masses to see and do for the whole family throughout the weekend including tree climbing and bungee trampolines, children's go carts and bumper boats.

This year the Cookery Theatre features chefs from Cotswold hotels and restaurants including Mark and Sue Stinchcombe from Eckington Manor. Mark won the BBC's MasterChef: The Professionals competition in 2015 and Sue has also appeared on the Great British Menu, Britain's Best Dish and Hairy Bikers.

Also featured will be Marcus McGuinness from The Greenway Hotel and Spa, award-winning chef, Gareth Fulford from Purslane restaurant in Cheltenham and Nick Deverell-Smith, from The Churchill Arms at Paxford, currently appearing on BBC's Great British Menu.

Show partners, BPE Solicitors and Moore Allen and Innocent, will both be prominent at the show with their own stands featuring entertainment and refreshments for clients.

The show is open from 9am to 6pm on Saturday and 9am to 5pm on Sunday. Tickets on the gates cost £14 for adults and £7 for children aged three and above. A family ticket for two adults and up to three children costs £40.

To find out more about great upcoming events and attractions, visit our What's On  section every day.