20 reasons to visit The Game Fair 2018

The Game Fair 2018 – like every year, it’s an annual fixture in the diary of fieldsports lovers. And there are plenty of reasons to go along.

1. This year marks the 60th anniversary of The Game Fair which will be marked in an official opening with a 60 gun salute.
   

   A 60-gun salute will open this year’s Game Fair

2. Want to test your clayshooting skills? Enter The Game Fair Challenge, a 60-target competition to win a Subaru Forester SUV for a year.
   

   Last year’s winner Chris Childerhouse being presented with a Subaru Forester SUV

3. The Subaru Shooting Line is the longest in Europe at nearly 1km long. Enter a flush shoot competition for rabbit, crazy quail, grouse, crow or high bird.
4. Watch engravers and craftsmen demonstrating their skills in Gunmakers’ Court.
5. Looking for a new or second-hand gun? Gunmakers’ Row will have the largest choice of guns and accessories in the country.
   

   Get together with friends at The Game Fair and enjoy a meal in James Martin’s (right) restaurant

6. Star of Saturday Morning kitchen, James Martin, is hosting the eponymous James Martin Game Fayre Restaurant offering a relaxed deli-style experience.  He has the right credentials, being brought up on a farm and is currently training his own working dog.
7. Parking is free or for £40 you can pay for inshow parking, which includes complimentary coffee and tea on arrival, with your vehicle usefully parked within the perimeter of the show.
8. You’ll find excellent shopping, with more than 800 stands featuring key country brands, bargains, launches and deals.
9. 

   The Schöffel Double Gun Challenge will take place at this year’s Game Fair.

10. The Game Fair is the perfect place to catch up with friends. Get social in the Hare & Hound Pub in the gundogs area, Gunmakers’ Pub on Gunmakers’ Row, The Guns onPegs Bar in The Game Fair Enclosure and the bar at The James Martin Game Fayre Restaurant.
11. In the evenings visit Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club live music, jazz and swing talent. Saturday evening will see a Ronnie Scott’s Soul Family party featuring soul, Motown and funk, fronted by MOBO-nominated vocalist Natalie Williams and boasting an incredible line-up of artists. Supper has been created by James Martin, including dishes such as pheasant curry and Kentucky fried rabbit.
12. If you’re in need of some inspiration, visit The Field Kitchen Theatre  where you can watch how to prepare simple and tasty dishes, as well as learn about food provenance, sustainability and best practice not only from chefs but also the people who shoot, fish, hunt and forage.
    

    Ragley Hall is a perfect location for The Game Fair

13. The Countryside Alliance’s animal welfare consultant Jim Barrington and BASC chief executive Ian Bell will be among the panellists in the Game Fair Theatre discussing issues which range from re-wilding in Scotland to living a ‘sub-zero’ self-sufficient life.
14. Watch farriers compete in the Shoeing Lab Championships where competitors from around the world have to copy a specialist shoe against the clock and shoe a horse. (Another event children will enjoy watching.) A generous £5,000 cash prize fund means there will be lots of interest from the best in the business.
15. World champion fly caster Hywel Morgan and other big names will be showing off their skills in one of two dedicated casting pools for demonstrations at the new and improved Fishing Village. You can also try the latest tackle there before deciding what to buy.
16. The Gundog Arena and Sporting Dog Pavilion are always favourites with children.
17. Kids love the Falconry Village too – with a large selection of birds of prey.
18. The Game Fair’s first-ever museum of curiosities is a fascinating blast from the past. Showcasing paraphernalia of yesteryear, it will include interesting items and facts from around The Game Fair, including shooting, fishing, falconry, gundogs and more.
19. BASC members get complimentary access. Members of the CLA, CPSA, NFU, and Kennel Club benefit from special rates.
20. You can camp there or ‘glamp’ if you prefer.

More details and booking at The Game Fair

When: Friday, 27 July to Sunday, 29 July (6am to 6pm, to 7:30pm on the Friday.

Where: Ragley Hall in Warwickshire