In true Countrywoman’s Guide style, we are finalising our plans for attending in a couple of weeks, and so thought we would create a quick and exclusive guide to the upcoming countryside celebration that is The Game Fair.
This guide is a little different to what you might expect. If you’re familiar with the event, you’ll know that it is a shopping haven for country clothing, shoes, guns and so much more with over 1,000 retail stands.
You don’t need to be an avid shooter, hunter, angler or gun dog trainer to enjoy being part of this event. There is no game shooting that takes place during the weekend.
We have spoken about the importance of community when it comes to rural life, and there really is no other event quite like The Game Fair for bringing the country community together. If you’re thinking, surely it’s just another country show? It’s so much more than that. Here’s why…
Celebrating it’s 65th anniversary this year, the festival of the countryside is taking place at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire from Friday 28th July to Sunday 30th July.
Free entry for BASC members:
First things first, if you’re one of BASC’s (British Association for Shooting and Conservation) 150,000 members, you’ll receive complimentary entry to the event, and discount on group bookings. Children under 7 go free too!
Whatever aspect of country living has captured your heart, you’ll find it at The Game Fair. From clay pigeon shooting experiences, gun dog demonstrations, falconry with leading female falconer, Charlotte Hill, who will be bringing over 30 birds of prey and both fishing demonstrations and experiences.
Fishing first, the Angling Trades Association will be launching a major initiative to encourage more people try fishing. Fishing is still an overlooked country pursuit in many cases. The reality of fishing, unfairly labelled as an ‘old man’s sport’ couldn’t be further from it’s stereotype. The feeling of calm found when amongst often picturesque spaces is unrivalled, whilst the feeling of adrenaline and excitement when you ‘hook’ a fish is akin to firing a shotgun, or cantering across the countryside.
Dubbed ‘Get Into Fishing,’ top angling brands will join forces with key organisations to give people the chance to catch their first fish on the estate lake with coaches from the Canal & River Trust and AAPGAI’s experienced instructors.
This barely scratches the surface, in all my years of attending, I have not yet managed to have a go at everything, nor even get around to every corner in one day, there really is so much to do and see!
Horses and hounds aplenty!
Gun dogs, and dogs in general are at the heart of the event, with mesmerising displays and world-class competitions, watch out for celebrity chef James Martin and previous In The Country guest recipe writer, in the Main Arena on the Friday and Saturday who will be taking part in a demonstration with his spaniel Cooper.
If you’ve attended any country show in the past, you’ll likely have heard the fond sound of the huntsman’s horn and braying hounds ringing out around the show ground at various points throughout the day. The Game Fair goes one step further. There will be foxhounds, beagles, minkhounds and basset hounds from hunts across Britain showcasing lawful hunting activities, including trail hunting, as well as teckles and bloodhounds.
The Game Fair advocates legal country pursuits. Countryside Alliance’s Polly Portwin along with hunt staff, will proudly demonstrate how they work the hounds when following a laid trail.
Family friendly:
The event is family friendly, with dozens of immersive outdoor activities, perfect for encouraging the little ones to ditch technology and instead try their hand at archery, airgun or clay shooting, fishing, gun dog handling or even mini Land Rovers.
The Shooting Line attracts some of the top clay shooters from around the world. Consider yourself a keen shot? Run by E.J. Churchill, a leading UK shooting ground. The Shooting Line is a hive for visitors who enjoy clay shooting. Numerous competitions, such as The Game Fair Challenge – a 50-bird English Sporting clay layout and The Game Fair sportrap – a 25-bird sporting competition.
For the fashion focused:
For the fashion focused amongst us, Welligogs’ Ladies Day takes place on the Friday, the first day of The Game Fair. Prizes will be awarded to three places, with first prize being a £1,000 Welligogs voucher. Those selected will be invited to the Welligogs stand for drinks and final judging at 2pm.
Our very own Emma Warren is providing the 2nd place prize of £500 on behalf of Hiho Silver, one of her other businesses, who are exhibiting at the event with beautiful sterling silver country and equestrian inspired jewellery.
The Great British weather as we know can be ever-changing, and so dressing for a fashion competition may or may not be on your agenda, or you simply may not have an interest in such things, perhaps the idea of refraining from a delicious, juicy pheasant burger complete with sweet chilli sauce, due to the risk to your outfit just doesn’t seem worth it to you. I can’t say I blame you! Whatever your interest, you’ll be in good company at The Game Fair.
With food in mind, one of my own personal favourite pastimes whilst at a country show is perusing all of the boutique, independent food stalls. I often come home with too many olives, far too much cheese and just the right amount of sweet treats! I’ll warn you though, keep your wits about you when wandering through the food tents, those gin, rum, vodka and liqueur may seem harmless, but they’ll creep up on you before you know it!
With community at the heart of what Emma and I are trying to create here with CWG, I couldn’t let this piece go by without giving a mention to one very special group of ladies exhibiting; The Country Girls UK.
Founded by Tania Coxon, this is a growing rural community founded in 2018. Initially organising and hosting shooting events throughout the country, the membership based brand has expanded into gun dog events, and even a ball!
“Our shooting events have been a catalyst for rural friendships and have helped so many ladies gain the confidence they need to not just develop their shooting journey, but their inner confidence and self-belief. Our aim is to give women the opportunity to feel part of a community they are extremely proud of.”
If you’re planning to attend this year’s event, we wholeheartedly recommend you try a new experience. Perhaps you’ve never picked up a fishing rod before? Maybe you’re a regular shot, but you’ve never tried archery? Whatever you fancy, we encourage you to try something different.
Both Emma and I will be at The Game Fair on Friday 28th July, we look forward to connecting with you in person.
The Country Food Trust is the event’s official charity, returning for a second year. conservative year. Providing free, nutritious game-based meals to those in food poverty, they are pretty delicious too, I’ve tried them in the past! You can donate to them, and support the work they do at the checkout when buying tickets online. You can book your tickets here: