Royal Agricultural Society

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The Royal Agricultural Society was established in the United Kingdom in 1838 with the motto "Practice with Science". The RAS aim is to promote the scientific development of agriculture. The society received its Royal Charter from Queen Victoria in 1840.

From its early days the society has held regular exhibitions around the country (called the Royal Show). The financial failure of a show in the early 20th century prompted the society to establish a permanent showground to save the costs of setting-up temporary shows. A site in Park Royal, in the London Borough of Brent was selected and the first show held there was the 1903 exhibition. Despite the money invested, the permanent site was not a success and after only three shows at Park Royal the society returned to the touring format that it uses today, albeit with a number of regular sites.