Visiting the Game Fair Blenheim Palace
It’s been a long time since we’ve been to the Game Fair. I think even before N was born, when we took a couple of the nephews. But N wanted to go, check out what was on sale, and have a good at the clay shooting. So we headed there to the Game Fair Blenheim Palace, for the Saturday of the weekend.
It was due to be a warm day but as with all large events, they always feel hotter than the temperature suggests given the number of people. It’s like you’re in a bubble there. It was too warm for me really. We decided to get there early after seeing a lot of the parking complaints about how far the walk was to the event.
But getting there for 8 when the gates first opened was great – no queues. Driving straight in and parking from our direction was pretty close to the main entrance. And no queuing at the ticket check entrance either.
Because it was so empty when we arrived we had plenty of time to look round and see where stands were that we wanted to visit on the way out. N had a couple of things he was looking to get, but I didn’t want to carry them around all day.
Game Fair Shopping
They’d said that stands would open at 9, but many were open when we first arrived, so we could sort some things out before the crowds. A pair of sunglasses for N as his old ones have disappeared, and he wanted to get BASC membership. The highlight of that was all the ‘freebies’ which he was pleased about, including a nice baseball cap and travel coffee mug. On a walk round we also got a free The Field Magazine.
After walking the shopping stands, and getting our bearings, we headed to Gunmakers Row. Last time we went, there were stands to give target shooting a go, but we didn’t see any of those this time. N also couldn’t see anywhere except our huge expensive local shop that he could get ear defenders from. So we’ll have to get those from his instructor’s shop back home.
But he managed to get a discount on some new Hexby shorts, and a bargain on a gilet (to grow into), so he was happy.
We wandered up towards the clay shooting. Watched a bit of the off-roading, and then cooled off a bit by going in to see the dog breeds in the tents.
Clay shooting
We were lucky we went when we did to the clay shooting. There were a few options of which company to go to, but it was cheapest with BASC, and they would provide all the equipment needed. Others were traipsing around with their guns, but given the walks from one end of the event to the other, then back to cars, I didn’t see the point of people doing that.
Luckily they could fit him in with only an hour’s wait, whereas all their other slots were mid afternoon. My recommendation is to head there first to book in if you’re wanting to have a go clay shooting at a time that suits.
After detouring back for some shopping and watching the ducks on the river, we watched other people shooting before N’s slot. If 11-16 years you could only have a ‘lesson’, but that was fine for N. His instructor seemed really nice. He was shooting a different gun that was heavier than the usual one he uses, so he did struggle getting used to it.
It was meant to only be 10 shots, but he ended up getting 18. From halfway through he got the hang of the gun, and hit every one. Much better than the others all lined up in the other stands. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him outside of laser shooting, so it was nice to see how he’s doing. And the instructor said he was a nice little shot, so that’s encouraging for him.
Other activities
We did check out the dog agility – you could let your dog have a go – which was funny to watch. Then had some time watching at the big ring where there was a display of pet gundogs showing different techniques and training. But we had no idea what else was on there as we couldn’t see a programme display anywhere.
In some of the bigger sponsored stands, there were evidently celebrities doing things. But we never know whether they stands are open entry or only for VIPs.
We did take a glance at the food theatre, where James Martin was cooking and chatting with someone. Again, no boards to say what was happening. Or if there were, it was hidden by all the people crowding around the opening to the theatre watching.
Near the shooting set up there was the fishing village for those interested in that, although there were a few comments that this was smaller than normal. You could also see the gun dog activities and try it out with your dog. This was near to the off roading which you could sign up for as well..
So there was plenty to do, although it was probably much more adult focused. We did see people going with younger children, and I’m not sure it’s really the type of place to take them if they’re not interested in countryside stuff. We didn’t notice child activities or tents, so I can’t imagine there’d be much for them to do, outside of watching the arena displays.
Food at the Game Fair
There were 2 areas for food at the show. We went to the main food row – lots of street food options. As usual it was hard to choose and even though we were there for just after 11, there were very few picnic tables free.
I decided on souvlaki – which for not having a queue still seemed to take a long time. It was a bit disappointing – not much flavour other than burnt cornbread pitta, and too dry.
N decided on a hot dog and skin on fries, and his was a better choice. Drinks, at £3 for a cold can, were more expensive than we expected but very much needed with the lack of shelter at these type of events.
We did find it frustrating that we didn’t actually see any signed water points to fill up at. There were a couple of dog watering points, with pools for them, but we couldn’t work out whether that was for people too. It really should have been signposted properly. But that’s no different from Countryfile live when that was at Blenheim – we only ever knew where the water points were if we spotted queues of people with bottles.
On the way out we stopped at the Salcombe Dairy ice cream stand, but decided to go for milkshakes instead. There was a fun bike to blend the milkshakes, so N had a go to make both of ours. We could choose any flavour so he had raspberry ripple and I opted for chocolate peppermint. Delicious and cooling, but £15 for 2 drinks! They really should be stating prices in a visible place because nowhere showed prices for ice creams or milkshakes.
By then we were feeling hot and had exhausted everything we wanted to see. It was lucky because there looked like there was another section we’d not seen, but N wasn’t fussed about looking there too.
We found the car easily enough and it was a quick exit out. Although bizarrely it was 2 way traffic in and out which was a bit confusing.
Next year The Game Fair will be back at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire over the last weekend in July..
The verdict
The good
For what we wanted The Game Fair was fine. We were lucky to get a shooting slot in the morning. Otherwise N would have missed out because we didn’t want to hang around into the afternoon.
After seeing complaints about the walk from the car parks, I was concerned. But arriving early from our direction was fine with only a short 5 minute walk. I think most of the complaints were from campers which didn’t seem like it was well planned at all. We go to Blenheim a lot so knew how we’d be getting there and which back entrance. But the communication of directions beforehand seemed pretty clear.
For shoppers after clothing there were lots of options.
There’s plenty of food choice.
Getting in early meant chance to look around before the crowds.
The location with the river and overlooking Blenheim Palace is gorgeous.
The not so great
It’s very pricy, unless you’re a BASC member, or can find a discount code. I had a discount on my ticket thanks to being a Blenheim Palace pass holder.
Toilets. Of course, there weren’t anywhere near enough for women compared to men. N got annoyed because later in the day there was a huge queue for the women which meant some were going into the mens, causing a queue in there. Just double the number of women’s loos compared with mens. Or make it all unisex.
Lack of signage and information around the site. There were a few signs, but they didn’t really help much. There were maps, but it didn’t even tell you where you were on the map which wasn’t helpful. Unless you bought a programme, we didn’t see anywhere that told you
Lack of water points. Evidently there were some but weren’t signposted. We saw dog bathing points, but we weren’t sure if they were meant to be for humans too as it didn’t look like taps for filling points. More required, and more clarity needed.
Overall we had a reasonable time. N was happy, and I was happy enough to take him so he could experience more about a hobby he enjoys.
Have you ever been to a show like this?