The Game Fair Blenheim Palace
- Thread starter Thetownie
- Start date
went there today. From what I was told, the layout was changed at reasonably late notice, due to the heads of Europe meeting the other week.
This has effected the positioning of stuff and the parking. heard a few moans re how far a walk it was to get oil... 10 mins or so saw me in so I didn't think it was too bad. Actually getting in/out was easier that at Ragley.
It was the standard game fair with pretty much the same stalls as usual. Lots of shotguns in gunmakers row, but not too many rifles..... had a good look though as I fancy another later this year.
Drink was standard sort of festival show prices ay about 7 quid a pint.
Bumped into lots of people that I know and said hello to, bought a couple of bits, looked at stuff I cannot look at in shops near to me and the better half and I enjoyed the day. Would I pay to go, probably not.... as a freebie due to both being BASC members , it was worthwhile.
if you do take a dog and its gets warm (yesterday was not too bad). there was a hollow that had been filled with water so about 18 inches to 2 foot deep that the dogs seemed to love .... kept quite a few nice and cool.
This has effected the positioning of stuff and the parking. heard a few moans re how far a walk it was to get oil... 10 mins or so saw me in so I didn't think it was too bad. Actually getting in/out was easier that at Ragley.
It was the standard game fair with pretty much the same stalls as usual. Lots of shotguns in gunmakers row, but not too many rifles..... had a good look though as I fancy another later this year.
Drink was standard sort of festival show prices ay about 7 quid a pint.
Bumped into lots of people that I know and said hello to, bought a couple of bits, looked at stuff I cannot look at in shops near to me and the better half and I enjoyed the day. Would I pay to go, probably not.... as a freebie due to both being BASC members , it was worthwhile.
if you do take a dog and its gets warm (yesterday was not too bad). there was a hollow that had been filled with water so about 18 inches to 2 foot deep that the dogs seemed to love .... kept quite a few nice and cool.
oxfordfowler
Well-Known Member
Spent all day Friday at the GF with a couple of mates (08;30 - 17;00). Enjoyed the day - filled my shopping list. Looked a loads of stalls/stuff and bumped into several acquaintances. More stalls there than last year and the lay out is much better the isles are wider so still plenty of room when things got busy. Plenty of food and drink available, eat early as the popular food stalls were very busy around lunch time.
Thanks BASC for the free entry. I'm going again on Sunday (10 mile drive).
Thanks BASC for the free entry. I'm going again on Sunday (10 mile drive).
Went yesterday. Gave up after three car park attendant gave me directions to blue badge parking that were wrong. My hip was giving me a lot of pain before I got through the entrance.
About half the size that it was last time at Blenheim.
No Bob Nudd demonstration!
No reloading stuff!
Bought 3 Opinel knives and a Ridgeline Monsoon jacket.
Saw some expensive leather gunslips with crap zips!
£15.50 for scampi and chips and a can of Fanta.
Drew the line at £64 for a pair of socks, no thanks!
Home by 5.00 PM
About half the size that it was last time at Blenheim.
No Bob Nudd demonstration!
No reloading stuff!
Bought 3 Opinel knives and a Ridgeline Monsoon jacket.
Saw some expensive leather gunslips with crap zips!
£15.50 for scampi and chips and a can of Fanta.
Drew the line at £64 for a pair of socks, no thanks!
Home by 5.00 PM
. maybe I should of popped round to reloading solutions to fill my bag .
8x57
Distinguished Member
In recent times I never go to any game or country fairs with the expectation of buying anything because I know that I will invariably come home disappointed.
I have however gone to fairs not intending to buy anything and on occasion have been pleasantly surprised. At the last Blenheim Palace show I attended some years ago I bought a JetSled for £25, I recently saw the same at the stalking fair for over £100.
On another occasion my daughter was looking at a fleece on the Napier stand towards the end of the last day, the stallholder offered her a very generous price and I landed up forking out for both her and my wife. I also bought a large gun cabinet at the end of the day from the Midland fair some years ago for a reasonable price, the dealer obviously being prepared to offer a substantial discount for the convenience of not needing to transport such a large heavy item home and me benefiting from having a reasonable sized estate car.
More recently my purchases have been mainly shooting books from Coch-y-Bonddu books, I keep promising to divert to pop into his store when travelling up to North Wales sometime. Definitely the best book seller for shooters.
I have however gone to fairs not intending to buy anything and on occasion have been pleasantly surprised. At the last Blenheim Palace show I attended some years ago I bought a JetSled for £25, I recently saw the same at the stalking fair for over £100.
On another occasion my daughter was looking at a fleece on the Napier stand towards the end of the last day, the stallholder offered her a very generous price and I landed up forking out for both her and my wife. I also bought a large gun cabinet at the end of the day from the Midland fair some years ago for a reasonable price, the dealer obviously being prepared to offer a substantial discount for the convenience of not needing to transport such a large heavy item home and me benefiting from having a reasonable sized estate car.
More recently my purchases have been mainly shooting books from Coch-y-Bonddu books, I keep promising to divert to pop into his store when travelling up to North Wales sometime. Definitely the best book seller for shooters.
Went yesterday good show overall helped by great weather. Lots of shotgun and air rifle stuff lees so on the CF front. Great chance to look through lots of NV and thermal kit in a real environment. Big disappointment none of the big optics guys were there Zeiss, Swarovski or S&B, they all have large stalls at the Indoor Shooting show
6.5a square
Well-Known Member
I went to this one with my parents , i must have been in my early teens. Think they called it affer an hour, remember being so disappointed we were leaving,although it was like a swamp as i recallRemember floors castle mid eighties I think not sure I’ll ever be that wet again never camped since
baguio
Well-Known Member
I love the Game Fair. Well, I didn’t actually go but I love to read the reviews from the MOGs on here thinking that they would suddenly be different than in all the other years 
. Just waiting to hear about our friends in caravans helping themselves to ‘free’ items! Come on guys. They get reported about every year on here.
. Just waiting to hear about our friends in caravans helping themselves to ‘free’ items! Come on guys. They get reported about every year on here.Good show, good weather. Just done two days which I find helps, can approach the event with a much more leisurely attitude. Watched a few displays and we had a run around the off round course in a new Subaru. I do not go with the intention of buying anything, I already have what I need, but as always find something to spend a few quid on. I bought a subscription to The Field, which was discounted, plus came with a free gift (we chose a bottle of sloe gin) and a pass to the VIP enclosure. Only bad point was it was obviously many if not all of the numerous waste bins had not emptied over the two days and by the time we left some were spilling contents onto the surrounding ground, The Mrs said the Portaloos were pretty horrible second day. Most areas had decent toilet blocks, but some places, ie the gun dog test area, had portaloos.
Well just back from my first Game Fair and it was ok, not great but OK.
£38 for a ticket is a tad steep especially as you don't get a complimentary guide and I don't know of its me but the website seemed devoid of timings of shows/displays etc which would then force you to purchase a guide. I may be wrong but thats how it seemed, wanted to see the bird of prey display but missed it.
Good to see plenty of dogs about the show and they weren't at you for food.
Unfortunately there were to many 'wannabe' country types...the wags with their porsche pushchairs and Costa frickin coffee cups! Strolling around like a Sunday stroll in the park 2 or 3 abreast taking up the whole gangway.
The usual caravan types, which tell me if I'm wrong bear a striking resemblance to those Essex groomed men, that are finer than a tarts boudoir! Anyhoo moving on...
An ok day out and the chips at the Venison burger stall are to die for!!
£38 for a ticket is a tad steep especially as you don't get a complimentary guide and I don't know of its me but the website seemed devoid of timings of shows/displays etc which would then force you to purchase a guide. I may be wrong but thats how it seemed, wanted to see the bird of prey display but missed it.
Good to see plenty of dogs about the show and they weren't at you for food.
Unfortunately there were to many 'wannabe' country types...the wags with their porsche pushchairs and Costa frickin coffee cups! Strolling around like a Sunday stroll in the park 2 or 3 abreast taking up the whole gangway.
The usual caravan types, which tell me if I'm wrong bear a striking resemblance to those Essex groomed men, that are finer than a tarts boudoir! Anyhoo moving on...
An ok day out and the chips at the Venison burger stall are to die for!!
Nimrod1960
Well-Known Member
Some good bargains on the main ridgeline stand. Bought another top I didnt really need
.
But did finally yield to secret longing for a handmade knife, posted thread, when I visited James Penny.
.But did finally yield to secret longing for a handmade knife, posted thread, when I visited James Penny.
Cranborne
Well-Known Member
We went on Friday and Saturday after a gap of several years There were plenty of interesting talks at the Carter Jonas Theatre. I enjoyed watching the gundogs and gunsmithing demonstrations (gun engraving, stocking etc). It was easy to get it and out of the car park. Free entry courtesy of BASC was very welcome.
Rob-E
Well-Known Member
I didn’t realise Ineos were letting you do that.
There was basic car parking lanes but only in rows not a full grid. I just stayed until there were only a few cars left.
What3words is your friend in this situation.
Just remember to log the location when you park up.
Scotty99
Well-Known Member
Well I thought it was rubbish. Had to queue for half an hour in a single line of traffic once we had entered the estate to get into the car park. Reason turned out to be there was a cross roads with the game fair traffic coming from one direction and foot traffic coming from the other direction going into the house and gardens, there were stewards stopping the game fair traffic every few cars to let the house visitors pass. This is usual for Blenheim they want the revenue way more than they want people to have a good experience.
Long walk from the car to the show entrance, no toilets outside the entrance so had to join the 20 minute queue for the first set of toilets inside the show.
Way too many faux country folk in their standard country uniforms, you know what I mean. Food was extortionate, glad we took a picnic, drinks even worse, glad we took plenty of water. Too many non shooting or countryside stands, no I don’t want my boots cleaned, or buy a conservatory or hot tub.
Finally came out the main exit only to be forced to turn right when home direction was left. So right we went, past about a mile and a half queuing traffic going the other way. Only thing to do was a wide detour taking in Witney to get home.
I will not be going to a Game Fair at Blenheim again. I’ll give it one more go at Ragley next year and if no better then it’s just the Stalking Show at Stafford for me., from then on.
Long walk from the car to the show entrance, no toilets outside the entrance so had to join the 20 minute queue for the first set of toilets inside the show.
Way too many faux country folk in their standard country uniforms, you know what I mean. Food was extortionate, glad we took a picnic, drinks even worse, glad we took plenty of water. Too many non shooting or countryside stands, no I don’t want my boots cleaned, or buy a conservatory or hot tub.
Finally came out the main exit only to be forced to turn right when home direction was left. So right we went, past about a mile and a half queuing traffic going the other way. Only thing to do was a wide detour taking in Witney to get home.
I will not be going to a Game Fair at Blenheim again. I’ll give it one more go at Ragley next year and if no better then it’s just the Stalking Show at Stafford for me., from then on.
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