25–27 July, Ragley Hall, Warwickshire
There are few places where you’ll find tweed-clad gunmakers, glamping yurts, and black labradors all coexisting quite so harmoniously, but The Game Fair manages it with typical British panache. Now in its 66th year and returning once again to the grand surroundings of Ragley Hall, the 2025 edition promises another weekend of countryside celebration done right: a little bit eccentric, a lot of fun, and packed with a sort of rustic elegance you don’t find many places outside of a Nancy Mitford novel.
Here’s what to expect from the event that’s affectionately been dubbed Glastonbury for the green welly set.
The Setting: Ragley Hall in High Summer
The Game Fair takes place on the 450-acre estate of Ragley Hall, all Palladian porticos and Capability Brown parkland, and there’s something almost cinematic about arriving through its gates. Whether you’re camping in the fields or decamping to a nearby farmhouse B&B, there’s a thrill in knowing you’ll spend three days immersed in the best of British country life.
Camping has had something of a glow-up, too. This year, the Caravan and Motorhome Club is running the official campsite, complete with electric hook-ups, dog-friendly areas and a shuttle to the showground (ideal if you’ve over-indulged in cider tastings). And for those less inclined to sleep under canvas, the new Green Yurts glamping experience comes with beds, lighting and that most un-rural of luxuries: charging ports.
What to See (and Be Seen At)
While plenty of guests are there for the social buzz, wax jackets, sunglasses and an Aperol from the VIP bar, there’s also a packed schedule of genuinely impressive sporting displays. Think world-class clay shooting, fly-fishing demos by British champions, and scurries that will have even the most jaded Labrador wagging with delight.
If you’re at all inclined towards fieldsports, it’s worth booking into a have-a-go session (shotgun instruction from BASC is free, which is rather marvellous), or simply enjoying the spectacle from one of the grandstands. The Gundog International is always a highlight — a display of teamwork so elegant it almost brings a tear to the eye.
Meanwhile, Gunmakers’ Row remains the best place to handle a £100,000 shotgun, even if you’ve no intention of buying. Brands like Holland & Holland and Purdey will be there, polished to perfection and more than happy to chat about craftsmanship over a glass of fizz.
The Shopping Is (Surprisingly) Excellent
Part of The Game Fair’s enduring appeal is the sheer variety. One minute you’re admiring the stitching on a hand-sewn cartridge bag, the next you’re sampling venison sausages from a Devon farmer. The Totally Food Market is a must-visit, full of award-winning cheeses, preserves, and artisanal drinks you’ll end up lugging home in your Barbour pockets.
Elsewhere, browse everything from sculpture to garden tools, art to millinery. It’s not just for the tweedy set, either, you’ll find sustainable fashion, organic skincare and elegant homeware dotted between the more traditional stalls.
Dogs, Naturally
To state the obvious: there are dogs everywhere. Spaniels bounding across arenas, Labradors lolling under straw bales, dachshunds tottering in the VIP tent. There are dog shows, of course, from terrier racing to working gun dog displays, but just as lovely are the informal bits: the sight of a gang of golden retrievers having a lie-down in the shade, or a young handler proudly leading their pup through an obstacle course.
If you’ve got your own four-legged companion, they’re very welcome, just be sure to keep them on leads and prepared for a sensory overload.
Talks, Demonstrations and Discoveries
It’s not all about action. The Carter Jonas Theatre hosts talks on land management, conservation and countryside policy, while the likes of GWCT and the NFU offer thoughtful perspectives on rural sustainability. It’s a space for quiet listening and you’ll often come away with a new way of thinking about food, farming or biodiversity.
Elsewhere, don’t miss the falconry displays (equal parts majestic and terrifying), the fly-tying tent, or the miniature steam railway that somehow delights adults just as much as children.
The Social Side
Mornings are for exploring the stands and catching a demo or two. Come noon, things tend to drift toward the VIP enclosure, sponsored this year by Rathbones, where a Pimms and a lobster roll feel not just appropriate, but essential. This year’s guest speaker is Vinnie Jones, and while not perhaps the most traditional of country types, there’s no denying he knows his way around a decent yarn.
Evenings on the campsite are jolly. Think impromptu barbecues, impassioned debates about cartridge load, and an early bedtime, though glampers may well sneak back into yurts with a bottle of Chapel Down.
The Game Fair has always struck a balance between tradition and evolution. It’s a place where you can shoot a clay pigeon, shop for a cashmere gilet, learn about soil regeneration, and finish with a sloe gin. It celebrates the countryside in all its forms, not just the polished surface, but the practical, hardworking heart of rural Britain too.
Whether you’re a seasoned shooter, an enthusiastic dog owner, or simply someone who appreciates wellies and a good cheese board, the 2025 Game Fair is set to be a highlight of the summer season. Just don’t forget your sunhat or your raincoat.
