Image: The Game Fair / Blenheim Palace
Only entries from within our circulation areas will be accepted
Please don’t enter if you are not in a Round & About Magazine postcode region
One entry per householder. You must supply a name, address and telephone number
or your entry will not be accepted
Head to Blenheim Palace for all manner of countryside pursuits from July 26th to 28th
The Game Fair makes its return to Blenheim Palace for people passionate about countryside pursuits, and the Great British countryside features everything from fishing, fantastic food and family activities to shooting, shopping and super VIP glamping – there truly is no other place a countryside lover would want to be for the last weekend of July.
If it’s a shopping experience you’re after then you’re in the right place – no high street can offer the variety you’ll see here. Performance clothing, traditional tweeds, fishing rods, dog beds, shotguns and rifles, optics, ammunition, homewares, designer wear, footwear, vintage, art, machinery… better still, you can try before you buy (which you can’t online). If you’re food orientated then don’t worry – the Totally Food area features the best of local artisan producers offering everything from pheasant goujons to beers from micro breweries and all of the wonderful produce you will find here is sourced from the British countryside and sustainable resources worldwide. Looking for culinary inspiration? Watch a demonstration in the BASC Wild Food Theatre, or treat yourself to a sit-down lunch cooked by a celebrity chef.
Country sport is in full swing at The Game Fair – from gundogs and fishing to shooting, pugs and drummers displays and archery, this is just some the action you can expect to see. Competitions for gundogs and shooting such as The Gundog International and Game Fair 50 bird Sporting make a great spectacle, but if you want to give something a go yourself, there’s opportunities to try clay shooting, fly fishing, coarse fishing, fly tying, ferreting and you can even bring your dog to enter one of our have-a-go-competitions – Bale jumping, Open, Scramble, the Novice and Junior Scurry, as well as BASC’s own Scurry competitions – you may even win one of our daily prizes!
The main arena will be alive with action including hound Parades, Scurry Driving, Mounted Games, Falconry, Freddy Steele with his stunning horses in a Spectacle of Equitation, Inter Hunt Relay, oh and of course the Shetland Grand National which is thrilling and truly loved by all!
The Fishing Village offers a great insight into the sport and you can learn to fish, cast a fly and get advice on buying the right tackle. Throughout the three days you will be treated to competitions, discussions and demonstrations. Coaches from the Canal and River Trust and experienced instructors will help you catch your first fish or cast your first fly on the river. Visitors will be able to get up close to some of our native fish species in the Environment Agency fish tank, listen to talks in the Landing Stage theatre, watch angling demonstrations beside the river and look over some amazing fishing boats boasting all the latest electronics.
Perhaps shooting is more ‘you’ – The Game Fair has one of the largest shooting lines at any event, delivered by the experienced team from one of the world’s best-loved shooting grounds and sporting agencies, E.J. Churchill. If you’re looking to buy a new of second-hand gun or rifle, head down to Gunmakers Row, where you can check your gun fit and find knowledgeable advice from experts to help you make the right choice. What about competing or having a go at clay shooting? Visit The Shooting Line where qualified coaches will help you to take your first steps in shooting clays or advise on your technique. You could also take part in the various clay shooting competitions that will be running.
If dogs are your thing, visit experienced dog owners, handlers and breeders in The Sporting Dog Pavilion which will feature some familiar and some more unusual dog breeds. Whether you simply want to discover more about the many and varied breeds that work in the filed or you are looking for your next shooting companion, you’ll get a fantastic heads-up from the team of experts on hand, who will be only too happy to offer their thoughts. The afore mentioned Gundog International is not to be underestimated – If you want to see the top gundogs from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales go head-to-head in a purpose-built arena complete with authentic cover crop, jumps and water, then make sure you catch the Home International team competition. As the UK’s foremost team event, this hotly contested competition always produces intense rivalry between the top dog handlers from each country. This competition has been held every year since 1969 and has always been the centrepiece of the gundog events at The Game Fair.
The Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre offers the chance to watch exciting debates and sparkling conversations live on stage, hosted by Charlie Jacoby from Fieldsports Channel. Take the opportunity to sit down and enjoy the lively mix of content that is both thought-provoking and enjoyable, covering a range of topics surrounding the countryside.
Family days out are important to us, and there is something for every age group at The Game Fair. Expect live arena shows, tractors, hands-on activities, dogs, horses, archery, air gunning and more! You and your family certainly won’t be bored! Head to the main arena for a mix of exciting competitions, educational demonstrations, thrills and perhaps even a few spills! Spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the stand to marvel in the different skills on show from the different aspects of the countryside.
Why not make a special occasion of it and upgrade to one of our VIP Enclosure packages? With the best of British hospitality and the chance to escape the crowds in an exclusive space, you can choose from one of our four packages – Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum, with prices starting from £99.
Make a weekend of it by booking into a glamping spot in a fully furnished and carpeted Bell Tent or bring your own tent or motorhome for a camping experience within walking distance of the action.
Visit The Game Fair Festival of the Countryside for tickets.
To win a pair of tickets, fill in the form below before 12pm on Friday 19th July.
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