Our top picks of things to see and do at The Game Fair, a great British institution which takes place Friday 28 to Sunday 30 July at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire
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This year, the much-loved Game Fair is celebrating its 65th anniversary so expect even more attractions than usual!
The Shooting Line
The Game Fair boasts the most comprehensive outdoor exhibition for game and clay shooting held anywhere in the UK. Run again this year by E.J. Churchill, visitors can take part in competitions, have-a-go at clay shooting and watch some fantastic demonstrations. As always, BASC will be on hand providing one-to-one lessons for 30 minutes and a shorter ‘Shooting Experience’ for newcomers that lasts 10 minutes. The CPSA will be offering visitors have-a-go clay shooting at 10 targets with an instructor.
Enjoy a VIP experience at the Investec Enclosure
By upgrading your ticket to one of four VIP packages, visitors will have exclusive access to the Investec Enclosure and Garden, with forward parking, a cash bar, lounge area, VIP toilets, a shop-and-drop facility and the chance to meet and greet celebrities such as TV chef James Martin and comedian Paul Whitehouse. Packages start from £99 per person.
Go celebrity spotting
The Game Fair is set to welcome three famous faces, 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 spaniel Cooper in the Main Arena with leading trainer Jason Mayhew, former international cricketer Matt Prior.
Lifelong fisherman, river campaigner and beloved comedian Paul Whitehouse is set to appear at The Game Fair 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.
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.
Be inspired by the BASC Wild Food Theatre
The BASC Wild Food Theatre will gather some of Britain’s top game chefs to give live cookery demonstrations throughout the weekend, sharing their cooking secrets and championing the use of game and sustainable produce.
The perfect place to get 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 the food and sustainability and best practice from chefs and those who shoot, fish, hunt and forage.
Falconry Demos
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.
Gundogs
Gundogs are a focal point at The Game Fair – as well as displays and world-class competitions there are exhibitors, breeders and trainers on hand ready to share their words of wisdom on anything from feeding a new puppy to ironing out training issues.
Browse art and antiques in the LAPADA Pavillion
LAPADA (The Association of Art & Antiques Dealers) will showcase an exquisite range fine art, furniture, jewellery and antiquities in a dedicated marquee. Hosting 25 exhibitors, this popular area is sponsored by The Royal Mint, the UK’s oldest company and official maker of British coins.
Thrills, spills and jaw-dropping skills in the Main Arena
A jam-packed itinerary 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.
The Fishing Village
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or someone who has only recently taken up the sport, there’s plenty for visitors in the Fishing Village. Comedian Paul Whitehouse from TV show Gone Fishing and actor Jim Murray from Activist Anglers are set to appear alongside key brands like Shimano, Rapala, Dynamite Baits, YETI.
Plus Angling Trades Association, the official voice of the UK tackle trade, will be launching a major initiative to encourage more people try fishing. 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.
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 and watch angling demonstrations beside the lake. The British Fly Casting Club is also running three categories of fly casting competition – a trout casting distance challenge, a trout casting accuracy challenge and a double-handed (overhead) casting distance challenge.
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