TV favourite Martin Clunes heads to Devon County Show

TV favourite Martin Clunes is saddling up for a star turn at the Devon County Show 2025, where he’ll officially open the much-loved Festival of Heavy Horses.

The actor, best known for hit series like Doc Martin and Men Behaving Badly, will cut the ceremonial ribbon at 10am on Thursday 15 May, marking the start of three days of magnificent equine displays.

Now in its third year, the Festival is one of the show’s most popular attractions – and this year’s event, sponsored by WHISTLEFISH, promises to be the biggest yet.

With 19 heavy horses set to take part, visitors can expect to see Shires, Clydesdales, Suffolks, Percherons and North American Belgians – the latter being the world’s largest breed of draught horse, known to stand an impressive 21 hands high.

The main arena will host a packed programme of displays throughout the show, with horses pulling traditional drays and stud carts, and competing in a range of in-hand and ridden classes.

Meanwhile, the dedicated Heavy Horse Village will offer a close-up look at these gentle giants as they’re dressed in full show regalia – complete with brass fittings, leather harnesses, plaited manes, and colourful ribbons.

Festival organiser Diana McFeat said Martin Clunes was a perfect fit for the event: “Everyone loves Martin Clunes, and we’re so grateful that he’s lending his support at the Festival. He’s a passionate animal lover, owns Clydesdales on his Dorset farm, and is a skilled horseman in his own right.”

She added: “Having him open the Festival will help raise awareness of these wonderful breeds and ensure their survival as a cherished part of our agricultural heritage.”

Clunes is no stranger to supporting animal causes, having fronted several wildlife documentaries. He’ll also return to screens later this year in Neil & Martin’s Bon Voyage, a three-part travel series that reunites him with fellow Men Behaving Badly star Neil Morrissey.

In addition to Clunes' participation, the festival will welcome Kaleb Cooper, known from Prime Video's "Clarkson’s Farm." Cooper is scheduled to attend on Friday, 16th May, engaging with attendees in the Farming Zone, judging a Young Farmer’s Class, and participating in a Q&A session

The Devon County Show runs from Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 May 2025 with tickets still available.