Thinking of going to a big game fair/country show this year, only ever been to the smaller country type fairs in Cornwall. Any suggestions welcomed ; )  Also any advice/tips.

Depends on where you live. By far the most important and biggest is the CLA Game Fair which this year is at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire on the 22nd to 24th of July. Second to this is the Midland Game Fair at Weston Park, Shropshire on the 17th and 18th of September. I won't be able to get to the CLA this year so will be trying to get to the Midland instead.

Regards, John

Never post very well, sorry.  I live in Cornwall.  I will make some further investigations and will try the CLA Game Fair, and we'll ave to stay somewhere nearby, not looking forward to travelling all that way in a Landrover :).  Thanks for your help.

How about the bath & west of england show? Details at www.bath&west.co.uk Generally I find that the 'country shows' certainly those around london are becoming more shopping venues than anything else and it is often diffiicult to find any farm animals. 'game fairs' tend to be a bit less commercial, although aimed at the shooting/fishing community.

Both can be excelent days out, although most have long queues to get in :( 

If you have a camper van or caravan the CLA usually has facilities or details of sites close by. My friend Anne has taken her caravan and stayed over at the Game Fair. Why not look up the CLA web site, details will be there.

royal cornwall show over 3 days in july/june i think ,at wadebridge

Thanks yeah we always attend that one as its close to us.  But was looking to attend a big one up country.

we have dunster fair & dunster show, july & august. but they arent that big,
we are about 1 1/2hrs from exeter ,near minehead.
the fair has lots of things on too watch,stunts etc, & a few horse classes
the show has all sorts of animal showing inc dogs

You could try the New Forest show in Hampshire thats supposed to have a really good mix of things.  I have nevewr been because its always on midweek when I am working but heard good reviews, traffic can be horrendous though.
Jane :)

Thanks very muchly for your replies - sorry to be a pain Bluebell tried the website but it could be found.  The game fairs are probably the ones I need then, not too commercial.

Thanks again :)

Make sure if you go to the CLA you go for more than one day.  We've increased our visiting time from a day to camping out on site over the three days.  It's such good fun.

PS Save up some spending dosh too!  There are so many essentials you just have to have! :-)

You would be surprised at how commercial the game fairs are getting.  A lot of them are just like "sunday markets".

Helen

Mel we have camped at the last 2 CLA  game fairs great fun fantastic atmospher on the camp site we will be going Thursday  By arriving Thursday you miss all the traffic and walk straight in Friday &  Sat from the special Entrance off the camp site  leisurly breakfast Sun set off home ? when we made our Slo Gin we labeled one Bottle Cla Game Fair 2005 ,

   Yorker

Mel, being near you AND having to go in a landy, I sympathise!! :) The CLA is at Belvoir castle this year but its very well worth going to. On a smaller & more amateur scale is the westcountry gamefair at shepton mallet. its on 19th & 20th march. go to www.contour.uk.net

Thanks for your time everyone.

Been on the CLA web site but no details yet, so will keeping checking.  It will be good to see what sort of essentials I can buy!  Don't really enjoy shopping much but love dog shopping :)  Will try to make it a long weekend and camp over, good ideal to miss the traffic thanks for that tip. 

Thanks for the other ideas will try to get to some others.  Good days out.  Thanks again.