Top 10 things to see and do at the Game Fair 2022

The Game Fair is a grand day or weekend out, a real 'festival of the countryside', but with so much on offer, how do you decide what to do? The packed itinerary includes displays, demonstrations, competitions, and have-a-go activities, not to mention the shopping, eating and drinking opportunities. There’s something for everyone, from game shots and stalking enthusiasts to fishing fanatics, foodies and more. Here’s our guide to the top 10 things to see and do at The Game Fair 2022 to help you plan your weekend:

1. The Shooting Line

The Game Fair is the most comprehensive outdoor exhibition for game and clay shooting held anywhere in the UK, and the shooting line is a perennial favourite with visitors, including us! Run again this year by E.J. Churchill, visitors can take part in competitions, have a go at shooting and watch some fantastic demonstrations. 

As always, BASC will be on hand to offer one-to-one lessons for 30 minutes and a shorter ‘Shooting Experience’ for newcomers that lasts 10 minutes. There will also be the opportunity for visitors to test lead-free sustainable shotgun cartridges.

2. 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 sustainability and best practice from chefs and those who shoot, fish, hunt and forage.

3. Visit GunsOnPegs on our stand

As usual GunsOnPegs will have a big presence at the Game Fair. Our stand, located right by the main arean and the Enclosure, has its own bar and plenty of seating. Drop in over the weekend for a chat - we love meeting our members and shooting the breeze about all things shooting. 

4. The GunsOnPegs LIVE Podcast

If you have the chance, the best time to visit the GunsOnPegs stand will be Saturday afternoon, when we will be recording our first ever podcast in front of a live audience. The recording will feature the biggest ever round of 'What's that you're drinking?' plus we'll be joined by some special guests, and there'll be the chance to put your shooting dilemmas and unpopular opinions to them, and the rest of the audience. Keep your eyes out for more details on timings!

What's more, immediately after the recording, The GunsOnPegs Podcast party will kick off. With live music and drinks provided by Borders Distillery and Yorkshire Tonic, if last year's event is anything to go by, it is sure to be a bloody good knees up! To find out how to get your hands on some tickets, listen to the update above.

Credit: Tristan Jones (The Shooting Photographer)

5. Swoop by the Falconry Village bird of prey demos

Of course, the Game Fair is not just about the socialising; it is also for celebrating the diveristy of fieldsports. Sponsored by the Abu Dhabi International Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX), the Falconry Village at The Game Fair is a fantastic attraction. The Falconry Village features a wide variety of birds of prey and there will also be specialist traders, artists and UK falconry clubs on hand to give advice and share their passion for these magnificent animals. At the heart of the Falconry Village is the flying ring, where CJ’s Birds of Prey will hold exciting demonstrations showing the capabilities of different birds of prey.

6. The ever-popular gundogs

Watching a perfectly trained gundog at work is a unique experience, showcasing 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 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. Plus, you might want to snap up a treat or new bed for your beloved four-legged companion.

7. The Fishing Village

The Game Fair has fishing at its core. The lake is a focal point, providing the opportunity for visitors to catch a fish, with instruction from the Canal & River Trust, or learn how to cast a fly rod with the Association of Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructors. More seasoned anglers can try their hand at various casting competitions, run by the British Fly Casting Club. See far how you can cast with the Spey and trout distance events or test your skills with the popular accuracy competition. There will be categories for different rod sizes and for male, female and junior casters. The Landing Stage, The Game Fair’s fishing theatre, returns with a full schedule of films, talks and experiences. 

8. 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 2022 including, hound parades, scurry driving, mounted Pony Club games and gundog demonstrations. Keep an eye out for 'What's That You're Drinking', our GunsOnPegs Podcast sponsored runner in the Shetland Pony Grand National, expertly ridden by Bethany for the second year running and a serious contender!

9. Browse art and antiques in the LAPADA Pavillion

Returning after a highly successful debut in 2021, LAPADA (The Association of Art & Antiques Dealers) will showcase an exquisite range of fine art, furniture, jewellery, and antiquities in a dedicated pavilion just off the Main Arena. Confirmed exhibitors include Greenstein Antiques, Sarah Colegrave Fine Art, Shapiro and Co, Art of the Imagination, The Hunt Gallery, Ellis Fine Art, Plaza Jewellery, Howell, Carlton Clocks, Thomas Spencer Fine Art, Timewise Vintage Watches, Blackbrook Gallery, Haynes Fine Art and Pushkin Antiques.

10. Eat like a king

If you’re keen to enjoy the best British hospitality, the Investec Enclosure is the place to be. With a bespoke game-based menu created by TV chef James Martin, it is the ideal place to escape the crowds. By upgrading to one of four VIP packages (bronze, silver, gold or platinum), visitors will also have exclusive access to the Investec Enclosure and Garden, a cash bar, lounge area, VIP toilets and a shop-and-drop facility. This year the Investec Enclosure is also hosting a Sunday lunch created by TV personality and author Amanda Owen, AKA the Yorkshire Shepherdess. Investec Enclosure packages start from £99 per person.

Former boyband star and TV presenter JB Gill will be taking part in a cooking demonstration with acclaimed chef and game meat evangelist José Souto and will also appear at The Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre to speak about his farm and work as an ambassador for the Woodland Trust.

In addition, there are always a whole host of artisan and wild food producers to be found in the food and game area.

And so much more

As well as these highlights of The Game Fair, 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; 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. Whether you're visiting to catch up with old friends, grab a show bargain on a new gun or just to drink in the atmosphere, it promises to be a weekend to remember! 

Key information

• Where: Ragley Hall, Warwickshire
• When: Friday 29 July to Sunday 31 July (8am to 6pm; to 7:30pm on the Friday. Stands and attractions open from 9am)
• Website: www.thegamefair.org

Game Fair Ticket prices

• Adult: £29 in advance for one day (gate price £35) or £58 for three days (three days for the price of two). Buy tickets 
• Family (2 adults and up to 3 children): £69 in advance (gate price £80) for one day or £140 for three days. Buy tickets 
• Children (8-16): £10 in advance for one day and £30 for three days. Buy tickets