Welcome
The CLA Game Fair is a celebration of the countryside and a platform to showcase the importance of country activities for the rural economy. It is also a chance for country to meet town, for people to enjoy themselves and for everyone to learn more about the countryside, sustainable land management, and about those who live and work in the countryside.
The annual CLA Game Fair has become part of Britain's rural calendar and an eagerly awaited part of Britain's Social Season. It is nationally and internationally recognised as the greatest showcase of country sports as well as promoting all aspects of country life. It also shows how landowners take a leading and vital part in the conservation of the countryside and it's environment.
As the UK's largest moving exhibition, an important aspect of the show is that it rotates around a number of the most prestigious Estates in England. The social aspect of the show, and the enormous celebratory atmosphere that it creates, is unique in the countryside diary, drawing visitors from all corners of the world.
We are delighted to welcome you to the CLA Game Fair 2012, which will take place from Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd July at Belvoir Castle, Grantham, Leicestershire. For the third time in its in 54-year history, the CLA Game Fair returns to this magnificent Estate, which boasts a world class venue with prominent views of the Castle from around the entire show site.
Belvoir Castle, Grantham, Leicestershire
The CLA Game Fair returns to Belvoir Castle for 2012 following its success when held there in 2005 and 2009. The castle provides this prestigious event with all the facilities it needs for a stunning show together with the excellent access from both the A1 and M1 making it a perfect location for exhibitors and visitors throughout the UK.
The castle, which dominates the whole CLA Game Fair site, is the home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Rutland and their young family who are all delighted to host the event. The Manners family have been at Belvoir Castle for over 500 years, however there has been a castle at Belvoir for almost 1000 years. The castle you see today is the 4th on the original site, and was commissioned by the 5th Duke of Rutland. The castle was completed in 1830 by the architect Mathew Wyatt and Sir John Thoroton in a regency gothic style, and it commands magnificent views over the Vale of Belvoir.
The splendid interior houses many beautiful treasures from great works of art, to fine furniture and beautiful tapestries. Belvoir Castle will be open to exhibitors and visitors on Thursday 21st July 2012.
Game Fair Videos
The CLA Game Fair
Whether you are new to The Game Fair or a regular visitor you will enjoy this Game Fair video which gives an excellent tour of this world class event, views of the show and highlights of many of its events and features.
Click here for 2011 CLA Game Fair Preview and Event Audio Interviews
CLA Game Fair History
The CLA Game Fair began life with an informal conversation between two game-rearing specialists more than half a century ago. Nigel Gray and Charles Coles, whilst working at the ICI Game Research Station, put their heads together and came up with a new kind of social event to bring together the shooting and landowning interests of the British countryside.
The first Game Fair was held in 1958 after CLA President John Ruggles-Brise (later Sir) approved CLA (then the Country Landowners' Association) backing for the new concept. The first CLA Game Fair at Stetchworth, Newmarket cost £800 to stage and had 8,500 visitors.
Looking back at previous CLA Game Fairs offers a unique spotlight on the social history and development of field sports and the country way of life over the past half century. The shows have provided an opportunity for country people of varying interests and backgrounds to get together to chew the fat, exchange skills, wisdom and experience, and to do business together.
Today the CLA Game Fair has metamorphosised into an operation so complex, so sophisticated and so professional that those original founders would scarcely recognise it. However, beneath the intensely commercial operation of the show there is still the same fundamental driving forces; the fellowship, the sense of community, and the deep love of countryside activities that set a fire under the CLA Game Fair when it began in 1958.
Social
