Heavy horse fan Martin Clunes opens farm show

Doc Martin and Wuthering Heights actor Martin Clunes said being with heavy horses is "a bit of soul food" as he attended the Royal Bath and West Show.

The farming event takes place from 28 - 30 May in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, and brings together people from the industry to speak about current issues and show off their livestock.

Clunes officially opened the heavy horses section at the showground on Thursday.

"People love to see heavy horses and hear about them and ask questions about them. They get what I get from being with them, a bit of soul food," he said.

Clunes is most famous for starring as Martin Ellingham in comedy-drama Doc Martin, in TV sitcom Men Behaving Badly and more recently for his portrayal of Mr Earnshaw in the 2026 adaptation of Wuthering Heights.

"This community of heavy horse people, there aren't many of us, but we all support each other," he said.

Clunes, who lives on the Somerset and Dorset boarder, said he loved the countryside and "being in tune with nature".

Here are some other pictures from the first day of the Royal Bath and West Show on Thursday, including one of Michael Eavis, the Glastonbury Festival's founder.

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