It looks like it belongs in a sci-fi blockbuster rather than a North Yorkshire field.
This is the world’s largest combine harvester – and it is one of the stars of the Great Yorkshire Show which opens today (Tuesday).
The giant New Holland CR11 takes pride of place on the President’s Lawn as the 167th Great Yorkshire Show.
The four-day farming extravaganza in Harrogate is officially a complete sell-out, with 150,000 visitors expected to pour through the gates between today and Friday.
But you can enjoy all the atmosphere from the showground by listening to YorkMix Radio today, as our own Victoria Charles broadcasts live from the event.
For those lucky enough to have tickets, the showground is packed with incredible animals, cutting-edge technology and famous faces.
Show director Rachel Coates is embarking on her second year at the helm. She said: “The show is the highlight of the year for many of our exhibitors and visitors, and I am very excited about sharing the wealth of farming, food and countryside features we have on offer.”
The show remains a proper family affair for farmers. Ten-year-old Georgia Bowman will be competing in the Dairy Young Handlers on Thursday with her beloved calf, Parkhouse Foggathorpe.
Georgia’s family has been breeding Dairy Shorthorns since 1812, and three generations of the family are on site this week to show six of their home-bred animals.
North Yorkshire farmer and online content creator Rebecca Wilson looks to the future of farming in the newly expanded Agri-Innovation Village.
Over at the Countryside Arena, visitors can watch daily displays at 12pm and 4pm from Walworth Birds of Prey, featuring Big Red, an amazing 17-year-old Harris Hawk. This week will be their final show appearance before the team retires from the agricultural circuit.
There will celebrity chat shows hosted on the Ariat GYS Stage throughout the week. Look out for:
- Tuesday: Kelvin and Liz Fletcher (Fletchers on the Farm)
- Wednesday: Peter Wright (The Yorkshire Vet)
- Thursday: Jules Hudson (Escape to the Country)
- Friday: Harriet Cowan (Clarkson’s Farm)
With roads around Harrogate expected to be incredibly busy, organisers are urging visitors to leave the car behind.
The Harrogate Bus Company is running free shuttle buses every ten minutes from Harrogate Bus Station (next to the railway station) straight to the showground’s white gate.
Buses start at 7.20am, with the last bus returning from the showground at 7pm.
