10 things not to miss at The Game Fair
With just over a week to go until this year’s Game Fair, check out our top 10 must-visit stands and activities across the weekend.
- - Features
- - Features
Things to see and do at The Game Fair
This summer The Game Fair returns to Ragley Hall in Warwickshire for the seventh time in its 65-year history. More than 120,000 visitors are expected to attend from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 July and the event promises to be a fantastic celebration of field sports and country life. The jam-packed itinerary includes exciting displays, thrilling competitions, educational demonstrations and plenty of chances for visitors to have a go for themselves. Remember – BASC members enjoy complimentary entry and guest discounts on advance bookings.
The Shooting Line
The Game Fair boasts the most comprehensive outdoor exhibition for game and clay shooting held anywhere in the UK. Visitors to the Shooting Line, run again this year by E.J. Churchill, can take part in competitions, have a go at clay shooting and watch some fantastic demonstrations. As always, BASC will be on hand providing 30-minute one-to-one lessons and shorter shooting experiences for newcomers that last ten minutes. The CPSA will be offering visitors have-a-go clay shooting, too.
The BASC Wild Food Theatre
Some of Britain’s top game chefs will be brought together for live cookery demonstrations throughout the weekend. They will share their cooking secrets and champion the use of game and wild, sustainable produce. It’s the perfect place to find inspiration for future dinner parties or whet your appetite before heading to the Food Hall to sample the amazing array of food and drink on offer. The BASC Wild Food Theatre also educates visitors on the provenance of food and sustainability with top tips from chefs who shoot, fish, hunt and forage.
Go celebrity spotting
The Game Fair is set to welcome three famous faces to Ragley Hall this July, and there are several ways you can make sure you spot them. TV chef James Martin is back once again to host lunch in the Investec Enclosure plus he will be taking part in a gundog demonstration with his beloved spaniel Cooper in the Main Arena with leading trainer Jason Mayhew and former international cricketer Matt Prior. Lifelong fisherman, river campaigner and beloved comedian Paul Whitehouse is set to appear on Sunday 30 July to host its Sunday lunch, meet fellow fishermen and raise awareness of Britain’s declining rivers. A regular visitor to The Game Fair, Paul loves nothing more than watching the casting demos. Mancunian actor, angler and environmentalist Jim Murray is also making an appearance on the Sunday to promote Activist Anglers, a new initiative designed to empower and educate anglers on how they can make a difference and protect waterways.
Enjoy a VIP experience
By upgrading to one of the four VIP packages (bronze, silver, gold or platinum), visitors will have exclusive access to the Investec Enclosure and Garden, with forward parking, a cash bar, a lounge area, VIP toilets, a shop-and-drop facility and the chance to meet celebrities such as TV chef James Martin and comedian Paul Whitehouse.
Packages start from £99 per person.
Falconry demonstrations
Run by Charlotte Hill, CJ’s Birds of Prey will hold exciting demonstrations showing the capabilities of different birds of prey. They will be bringing 30 different birds in total.
The ever-popular gundogs
Watching a perfectly trained gundog at work is a unique experience that showcases the amazing bond between handler and canine. The Game Fair has been holding prestigious gundog test events for over 60 years and this year’s event sees the Euro Challenge and Home International competitions return once again. Alongside displays and competitions, exhibitors, breeders and trainers are on hand ready to share their words of wisdom on anything from feeding a new puppy to ironing out training issues. Plus, you might want to snap up a treat or a new bed for your beloved four-legged companion.
Thrills, spills and jaw-dropping skills
A jam-packed programme ensures there’s always something to keep visitors entertained at the Main Arena. The action will include competitions, educational demonstrations and thrilling displays, with confirmed entertainment for 2023 including the Shetland Pony Grand National, hound parades, scurry driving, mounted Pony Club games and gundog demonstrations.
As well as these must-see highlights, there’s also the incredible shopping on offer. Over the three days, The Game Fair becomes one of the biggest retail areas in the UK with nearly 1,000 stands and truly something for everyone. All the big country brands will be in residence, with exciting new product launches and unbeatable show-only deals, alongside a number of small independent retailers and artisans.
Complimentary entry for BASC members
How to book tickets
1) Go to thegamefair.org
2) Use the ‘Quick Links’ or ‘Book Tickets’ buttons anywhere on the website
3) Enter your membership number in the box at the top of the page
4) Register for your complimentary tickets
5) Book any additional guest tickets, camping and VIP package upgrades.
The offer does not apply to concession, family or children tickets (8-16 years old; admission for children under eight years old is free).
All BASC members must register for tickets in advance of the show opening (midnight 27 July 2023).
Please note, BASC members will not be permitted entry into the show without a ticket and there will be no option to take out BASC membership on the gate this year.
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HRH The Princess Royal presents awards at The Game Fair
The Princess Royal presented the BASC Prince Philip Distinguished Service Awards to Jonathan Young and Collin Teago at the Game Fair today.
Make sure you get your Game Fair tickets in advance
All complimentary entry tickets and reduced rate guest tickets have to be booked and downloaded by midnight on Thursday 28 July.
