Welcome to the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association.
Founded in 1847 we are a leading charity providing support to food production, farming and the countryside in Norfolk. Best known for the Royal Norfolk Show, the UK’s largest two-day county show, we deliver a range of programmes and events throughout the year to support the agricultural sector and to provide a point of connection for the public to learn more about where their food comes from.
We operate from Norfolk Showground located at Costessey on the south-western edge of the city of Norwich. To help fund our charitable work the RNAA operates two trading subsidiaries, Norfolk Showground Ltd and Norfolk Food Hall Ltd.
Our vision is that the RNAA is recognised as a distinctive and respected leader in the rural economy for Norfolk and, as a registered charity, operates an effective and sustainable business model.
Any development of the Showground will provide a commercially viable, robust and sustainable financial footing for the RNAA to pursue its core charitable aims and objectives.
After a busy and productive year we are pleased to release the RNAA’s Annual Report.
Read more about the latest strategies, developments and performance at the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association.
Since 1847 the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association has played a key role in promoting the best farming, food, livestock and machinery.
The Royal Norfolk Show, which was first held on June 18, 1847, on the Norwich cricket ground, has become one of the country’s largest food and farming spectaculars.
In this heritage section, the history of this premier county agricultural show is charted from that first meeting in November 1846. A small group representing the East and the West Norfolk Agricultural Associations agreed to form a single body. Two months later, members voted and on January 22, 1847, the Norfolk Agricultural Association was formed with just £300.
The Association’s rapid growth, and sometimes near-bankruptcy, forms part of the story of the last 178 years. Other sections to be added will cover the decades from the 1840s as well as the support of the Royal Family as patrons and presidents.
Show reports, photographs and a wealth of archive material will be featured on the website as the RNAA meets the challenges of the next 175 years.
HM King Charles III
The Lady Dannatt MBE HM Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk
Poul Hovesen
The RNAA is a Company Limited by Guarantee number 1817702, and a registered charity number 289581.
The Association is governed by a Board of Trustees, also known as directors, who, as volunteers freely give their time and expertise to the Association.
The executive team is led by the Managing Director who is responsible to the Board of Trustees for the day-to-day running of the Association and the implementation of strategy
It meets twice a year, although additional meetings can be called by exception, and maintains supervisory control over property and general policy. The RNAA Council includes those appointed to honorary and voluntary positions as well as 48 elected members, who retire by rotation after three years of service.
or send us an email:
info@rnaa.org.uk
01603 748931
Norfolk Showground,
Dereham Road, NR5 0TT
VAT Registration Number 595 4888 66. Company Limited by Guarantee Number 1817702. Reg Charity Number 289581.
Copyright © 2025 RNAA
Sign up to our newsletter to hear the latest news from the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association.