On Friday 6 and Saturday 7 June 2026, the Batcheller Monkhouse team attended the South of England Show at Ardingly – one of the most well-regarded agricultural events in the region. Friday brought welcome sunshine. Saturday, however, had other ideas. Wind and rain arrived in force, though neither slowed the team down.
A Morning of Insight at the South of England Show 2026
The show began with the CLA Breakfast, where our team joined fellow professionals, landowners and farmers. The guest speaker was the Duke of Norfolk. The breakfast was hosted alongside representatives from the CLA and Warners Solicitors. Together, it offered an excellent opportunity to discuss the future of the rural sector and the key issues facing landowners and farmers at present.
During the Q&A session, our own Leo Hickish took to the stage. He answered questions from the floor and shared his perspective on the challenges and opportunities currently facing the sector. It was a genuinely useful discussion for everyone in the room.
Expert Advice at the South of England Show 2026
Throughout both days, our team was on the stand and ready to talk. Inheritance tax planning was high on the agenda, as it has been across many of our rural conversations this year. In addition, the Renters’ Rights Act, land opportunities and local property market activity all came up regularly.
As ever, it was good to see so many new and familiar faces making their way to the stand. Even on Saturday, when the weather was doing its best to deter people, the conversations kept coming.
Celebrating the Rural Community at the South of England Agricultural Show
Beyond the stand, the South of England Show 2026 was, as always, a reminder of what makes this part of the country worth working in. Livestock displays, rural crafts and a packed programme of talks made for two days that went well beyond a property conversation.
Furthermore, it’s the kind of event where you run into people you haven’t seen since the previous year. Those conversations, however brief, matter.
Thank You
A thank you to our team for their hard work and good humour across both days. In particular, those who held the fort through Saturday’s weather deserve a mention.
Thank you, also, to everyone who visited the stand at the South of England Show 2026. Your conversations are what make events like these worthwhile.
If you have any further questions for our team, please don’t hesitate to contact us.