Myrtle Park was for many years the home of The Airedale Agricultural Society Show, known to many simply as ‘The Bingley Show’. Early versions of this annual agricultural show trace back to an event held at Gawthorpe in 1862, before its move to the nearby Myrtle Grove Estate in 1866. The show became a more established event with its move to the then newly opened Myrtle Park, in 1909.
Over the course of many successful years, The Bingley Show became one of the largest agriculture, horticulture and craft shows in Europe. Attracting eager audiences from across Yorkshire and beyond, some years garnering crowds of up to 25,000 visitors.
Across many successful decades, The Bingley Show provided a platform for local farmers to showcase their livestock and agricultural produce. With formal exhibitions of cattle, goats, chickens and various other livestock taking centre stage. As the show continued to develop over time, various other attractions added to the event’s appeal. Competitions included crafts, rural sports and home grown produce, sharing space with exhibitions of horse riding, classic cars and fairground attractions.
Paused only for war and severe weather, The Bingley Show secured a place at the heart of local life, remembered fondly by many who can still recount their visits.
What should have been the 139th incarnation of the event, the 2020 Bingley Show was cancelled due to the global COVID19 pandemic. Whilst never intended to be an end to the show, as of 2025, the event has yet to return to the annual calendar.
The park, however, still provides a venue for many community events, often organised by The Friends Of Myrtle Park volunteer organisation. Their work ensures Myrtle Park remains a vibrant and much loved Bingley institution.
Myrtle Park has been the home of many important events since it’s opening, but it is perhaps best known as the home of the ‘Bingley Show’.
Beginning in 1867, as the Airedale Agricultural Show, this yearly celebration became an important and much loved event for the people of Bingley. Farmers from across the area would bring their very best cows, sheep, goats and chickens to Myrtle Park, where judges would carefully choose their favourites and award prizes.
As Bingley Show grew, many thousands of visitors would come along to see not only farm animals but also horse riding displays, brass bands and running races. Whilst inside the huge tents could be found competitions for the biggest vegetables, tastiest jams and prettiest paintings. Anyone keen to stroke fluffy friends could visit ‘Pets Corner’; home to cats, mice, rabbits and ferrets. Outside, sports cars and vintage tractors filled the fields, while vintage aeroplanes flew overhead.
Bingley Show also had many famous visitors throughout the years, from Wallace and Gromit, to Dora the Explorer, Shaun the Sheep and Titan the giant robot!
2019 saw the 138th Bingley Show happen right here in Myrtle Park. Although not planned as the final show, no further events have happened since. We wonder, what would have been your favourite part of The Bingley Show?
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