Hosted at great estates · Three days · July · Countryside & field sports
The Game Fair: dogs welcome, and it moves
The Game Fair is the country's biggest celebration of field sports and rural life, held over three days at a different great estate depending on the year. Two things follow from that: confirm which estate before you book anything, and expect dogs, because most people bring one.
Are welcome throughout and a great many visitors bring theirs, on leads, all day. Combined with a venue that changes between years, those are the two things to establish at the enquiry stage rather than assume.
Venue and dogs, before anything else
Neither is complicated. Both are worth settling early.
Changes between years
Blenheim, Ragley, Hatfield and others have hosted. Check the current one.
Considerably
Different counties entirely. It affects time, route and fare.
Welcome and common
Tell us numbers and sizes. It is the same conversation as our Crufts page.
Usually a Friday to Sunday
Most people do one, and it is a full day.
Indicative journeys
Times depend entirely on which estate is hosting. These are typical ranges for the usual host counties.
| Host area | From north Kent | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Hertfordshire | 1h 20m – 2h | Comfortable day return |
| Oxfordshire | 2h – 2h 45m | Day return |
| Warwickshire | 2h 30m – 3h 20m | Long day return |
| Anywhere further | 3h+ | Consider staying over |
| Confirm the estate | Then we quote exactly | The fare depends entirely on it |
What the day involves
An outdoor country show on a large estate, with all that implies.
| Element | Note |
|---|---|
| A very large site | Spread across estate parkland. Expect to walk several miles |
| Gundog and falconry displays | Arenas across the site, running through the day |
| Fishing, shooting and archery | Have-a-go areas as well as competition |
| Substantial shopping | Country clothing, kit and equipment. People buy heavily |
| Weather, whatever it does | Little cover. Boots and waterproofs regardless |
A day at the Game Fair
Tell us the estate, then everything else follows
Because the host venue changes, this is the one show on our site where we cannot quote from the event name alone. Hertfordshire is ninety minutes from Kent and Warwickshire is nearly three hours. The current year's estate is published well in advance and it is the first thing we need.
Dogs are part of the day here
Unlike almost every other event we cover, dogs are welcome across the site and most regulars bring one. Whether we can carry yours depends on the same things as our Crufts work: how many, what size, and whether they will be crated for the journey. Raise it at the enquiry stage and we will answer plainly.
It is a walking day on estate parkland
Several miles across a very large site, on grass, in July weather that could be anything. Boots rather than shoes, waterproofs regardless of the forecast, and a bag for whatever comes back muddy. The same advice applies as at Badminton, and for the same reasons.
People buy a great deal
Country clothing, boots, shooting and fishing kit and equipment of every sort, at show prices. A group that arrives with day bags frequently leaves with considerably more, and it is worth mentioning at the booking stage so we leave room in the back rather than discovering the problem at five o'clock.
Game Fair questions
A moving venue and a long walk.
Where is the Game Fair held?
It moves between great estates depending on the year, having been hosted at Blenheim, Ragley, Hatfield and others. Confirm the current estate before booking, as it changes the journey completely.
Can we bring dogs?
Dogs are welcome across the site and most regulars bring one. Whether we can carry yours depends on numbers, sizes and crating, so raise it at the enquiry stage.
How far is it from Kent?
Anywhere from ninety minutes to over three hours depending on which county is hosting. We quote once you confirm the estate.
How much walking is there?
Several miles across estate parkland over a full day. Boots rather than shoes, and waterproofs regardless of the forecast.
Is it worth a day or the whole weekend?
Most people do a single day, and it is a full one. The three days are broadly similar in content.
Will we need space for shopping?
Very likely. The trade stands are extensive and people buy heavily at show prices. Mention it and we will leave room.
Can we do it as a day return?
For the nearer host counties, comfortably. For anything over three hours we would suggest considering a stay.
Is the fare fixed?
Yes, agreed at booking once the estate is confirmed.
Country shows and estates
The rural calendar.