Show Information

Exhibitors are welcome onto site from 8am Monday 22nd July. No exceptions will be made to this rule.

stand build must be completed by 8am Friday 26th July. We are expecting a high volume of Exhibitor vehicles to arrive on Wednesday & Thursday morning, please plan this into your journey.

As you approach Blenheim, please pick-up the yellow AA road signs for ‘Exhibitors’. Due to various temporary one-way systems in place, we ask that you do not follow your Satellite Navigation System when getting closer to the Blenheim Palace Estate.

To enable exhibitors to get to their stand as easily and quickly as possible, and to assist with our traffic plan for visitor vehicles, we have an exclusive Exhibitor Entrance.

If you are in any doubt about the correct location of your stand, please contact the Organisers office. An exhibitor who erects a stand in a wrong location will be responsible for dismantling it and correcting the error.

Build-up and Breakdown:

All Exhibitors must wear HI-VIS.

No children under 16 will be allowed onsite during these times.

Take great care when passing vehicles – catch the driver’s eye before moving. 

Construction Design and Management Regulations  - Exhibitors found not to be wearing Hi-Vis will be asked to purchase a vest from the Exhibitor Lanes, before you are allowed to continue.

Post code -  OX20 1UH - cars and vans

Post code - OX20 1QB - HGV and Large Vans 

NOTE - HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES CANNOT ENTER THROUGH HENSINGTON GATE. ALL HGV MUST ACCESS THE BLENHEIM ESTATE THROUGH BLADON GATE. 

Pillar to pillar Bladon gate is 4.8m not taking into account the hinges etc. So a safe width is probably just over 4mtrs. If you believe this will be an issue, please contact exhibitors@thegamefair.org    

To enjoy the best possible arrival experience we strongly advise you to read the routing information for vehicles travelling from your area and once you pick up the event signage, turn off your satnavs and follow the symbols to your point of arrival, which will vary depending on direction of arrival, your vehicle accreditation and the time of day.

From Monday 22nd July the site will stay open daily from 8am until 7pm. 

Exhibitors and/or their contractors are NOT permitted on to site before Monday 22nd July. No exceptions will be made to this rule.

Please complete the Exhibitor arrival schedule by clicking on the link below. You can also request passes to be sent by post via this link. 

The Game Fair 2024 - Exhibitor Logistics Schedulingdocs.google.com 

If you are intending to bring a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) on to site, it is essential that you contact the Operations Team prior to arrival, as you will be provided with alternative joining instructions. Please contact exhibitors@thegamefair.org    

Safety directive - vehicle movement is prohibited around the show ground on live show days while visitors remain on-site. Therefore, vehicle movement times are a guide only and entirely at the discretion of the organiser. DO NOT move your vehicles until authorised to do so, and please work with our team and stewards who will aim to get you moving as soon as possible.

Stands must be managed by at least one competent adult during opening hours. Children must NOT be left on a stand unattended. 

Important - As the show ground area is considered a building site during build-up and breakdown, EVERYONE coming on to site must, at the very least, wear a Hi-Visibility vest. Build-up period ends on the morning of Friday 26th July. If you are not wearing a Hi-Vis vest/jacket when you arrive at the Exhibitor lanes you will not be allowed on-site. Hi-Vis vests will be on sale at the Exhibitor lanes for £5 each, avoid delays by wearing a Hi-Vis vest. Remember - the importance of this directive is for your safety.  

Speed limit across the site is 10mph, reduced to 5mph on trackway. Anyone found driving above the speed limit will be asked to leave the site immediately. We do not tolerate speeding for any reason.

Sustainability

At the National Game Fair, we take sustainability very seriously. All waste from The Game Fair is either reused or recycled in some way through Biffa, our official waste contractor. 

Deliveries to site

Please note - The organiser will not take responsibility for a delivery on behalf of an Exhibitor, please ensure one of your team is at your stand to receive your delivery. 

If you intend to arrange a delivery to site you must ensure the delivery company has the correct details. Unless the delivery arrives before 7.30am or after 7pm, during vehicle curfew your driver must meet you at a pre-arranged location in the public car park. From 22nd July deliveries will enter through Hensington Gate.

Deliveries during Show Days – Your contact number must be given to the courier company so they can ring you to come and collect the package – No Site Access after 7.30am during Show Days. 

Please include the following details on your delivery address label -

Company name and Stand Number 

The Game Fair,

Blenheim Estate 

OX20 1UH

Safety directive - Building overnight is prohibited. We recommend that you stop building at 7pm, due to loss of natural light. Exhibitors must ensure that all staff (their own staff and those contracted) are aware and adhere to the Working Time Regulations 1998.

On show days, vehicles will NOT be allowed to drive on to site after 7.30am each day. This is a Health and Safety directive, due to the public arriving on-site. This policy will be strictly imposed. 

There is only one Exhibitor entrance onto site so please allow plenty of time for your commute. Traffic builds extremely quickly so please ensure you leave enough time.

Drivers, passengers and pedestrians must wear the correct entry wristband to gain access to the site. 

You can pre-purchase additional Exhibitor passes/wristbands through the E-Zone. Last minute passes can be purchased from the Exhibitor Lanes or Organisers Office on-site.

Notice –

Digging and/or disturbing the ground on The Blenheim Estate is forbidden. If you intend to install a structure, flag poles or any item that requires breaking the earth, you must have written permission from Catherine Bishop before commencement of work.

Underground infrastructure, pipes, and cables, run across the estate. Anyone found digging or disturbing the ground, without permission, will be charged for damage caused.

Contact Catherine Bishop Catherine.bishop@thegamefair.org

Leaving the site during the show - If you need to leave the show ground before the site closes (i.e., before 7.30pm Friday; 6.30pm Saturday/Sunday) please park your vehicle in the free of charge exhibitor car parks at the beginning of the day and enter/leave the show ground on foot. Remember to get your re-entry stamp at the entrance gates when leaving the show ground.

Exhibitor lanes open at 7am on Monday 22nd July. Exhibitors and/or their contractors are NOT permitted on to site before this date. No exceptions to this rule.

When you arrive at the Blenheim estate, the Exhibitor Lanes will be your first point of contact. At the Exhibitor Lanes -

• Pick up your exhibitor passes or purchase additional wristbands.
• If you have forgotten to wear a Hi-Vis, you can purchase one from the lanes for £5.
• A floor manager will escort you to your stand.
• We can help with any questions/queries you may have.
• However, we cannot transport any stock or guests from the exhibitor lanes to your stand.
• The Game Fair and their contractors cannot accept any deliveries on your behalf.

Show Opening Times:

The Game Fair 2024  - Friday 26th to Sunday 28th July

No Vehicle movement on the show ground after 07.30am on show days.

Gates open at 08.00am - stands must be ready to trade at 9am

Closing Times - 6pm on Friday and Saturday & 5pm Sunday. 

Earliest vehicle movement in the evening - 7pm on Friday and Saturday, 6pm Sunday

                                                        Show ground opening hours are 8am each day, last entry 5pm unless a visitor has pre-booked tickets.

Show Opening Times

Friday 26th July 2024                                                                      No vehicle movement after 7.30am - Gates open at 8am - Trading starts at 9am                                                                                              Show closes 6pm - No Vehicle movement before 7pm

Saturday 27th July 2024                                                                     No vehicle movement after 7.30am - Gates open at 8am - Trading starts at 9am                                                                                              Show closes 6pm - No Vehicle movement before 7pm

Sunday 28th July 2024                                                                     No vehicle movement after 7.30am - Gates open at 8am - Trading starts at 9am                                                                                              Show closes 5pm - No Vehicle movement before 6pm

 

Below is key travel information to help with your journey to The Game Fair at the Blenheim Palace Estate.

Blenheim Palace Estate sits at the edge of the picturesque town of Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Located eight miles north-west of Oxford, on the A44 Evesham Road and is only a twenty-minute journey from the city of Oxford.

Car travel 

What3Words: is a leading App and geolocation system which uses three words to identify anywhere on the globe. The app divides the world into a grid of 3m x 3m squares and assigns each square a unique 3‐word address. 

We suggest you use What3words as a navigation tool to ensure you arrive at the correct location at the Blenheim Palace estate. Please paste xxxxxxxxx into the search bar on the app.

Website Link: To follow 
App Link: https://what3words.com/delays.reacting.closer

We strongly recommend that all exhibitors arrive before Thursday 25th July to help with a smooth and managed build-up. Timely arrival will avoid congestion, traffic jams and frustration for all concerned. As you drive closer to the Blenheim Palace Estate, please pick-up the yellow AA Road signs marked ‘Exhibitors’. 

Due to the temporary one-way system in place, we advise SATNAV users to use Post Code xxxxxxx only until you pick up relevant AA event signage, which supersedes Sat Nav directional info. To enable Exhibitors to get to their stand as easily and quickly as possible, and to assist with the traffic plan for visitor vehicles, we have provided an Exhibitor only Entrance.

If you are bringing a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) it is essential that you contact the Operations Team prior to arrival, as you will be given alternative joining instructions to access the site. Please contact exhibitors@thegamefair.org

Train Travel 

There are frequent train services to the nearby train stations of Oxford, Oxford Parkway and Hanborough.

Travel from London Marylebone by Chiltern Trains to Oxford Parkway (then connect to Blenheim by Bus 7). This is the quickest route from London to Blenheim.

Travel from London Paddington or Reading by GWR to Oxford (then connect to Blenheim by Bus S3).

Travel by GWR from London Paddington, Reading, or Worcester to Hanborough (then connect to Blenheim by Bus 233).

Bus Travel

Stagecoach Bus S3 and S7 run from Oxford City Centre to Woodstock, four times an hour, 7 days a week. Both start from Oxford Railway Station. Buses stop outside the main entrance, from there it's a 10 minute stroll through the park to the show ground. 

The S7 runs every 30 minutes from Oxford Parkway Station and Kidlington to Blenheim.

The S7 runs every 30 minutes from Witney through Bladon.

The S3 runs hourly from Chipping Norton and Charlbury to Blenheim.

The First and Last Mile 411 bus service which runs 2 hourly from Eynsham to Hanborough Station where passengers may connect with the Blenheim Shuttle. 

There is no direct bus service from Bicester to Woodstock.

For bus times and journey planner visit our Good Journey Page or stagecoachbus.com.

Taxi and Pick Up and Drop Off

If you are being dropped off by private car or licensed Taxi then please use the pick-up and drop-off area provided to ensure that your vehicle can find you when it returns to collect you, and you know where to find the pick-up point at the end of the day.

You should provide your driver with the information below for the drop-off and pick-up zone. It is a short walk from the site, and provides the most effective and quick access and egress.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/KHBDpc2FSYoWAidG6

///puzzle.tungsten.utensil

Booking a taxi in advance can provide the cheapest, most convenient journey. Visit townhousewoodstock.co.uk, minicabit.com or Woodstock Taxis .

Back of House 

We will be imposing our 'Exhibitors back of house' policy again this year, to ensure your back of house areas are kept as tidy and clear as possible. We expect Exhibitors to keep within the footprint of their stand, this includes vehicles, stock vans, fencing and signage. We impose this policy to keep lanes  clear for emergency vehicles, ensure the safety everyone on site, the area is tidy, easy on the eye, and a more pleasant experience for everyone. 

All exhibitors must ensure they keep within the ‘marked-out’ white boundary lines of their stand footprint. Any exhibitors found to have spilled over their allocated pitch will be asked to move back within their stand boundary space. Exhibitors failing to do so will receive a visit from one of our Floor Managers, who have the authority to enforce this policy. We request that Exhibitors help us by ensuring their back of house is always safe and tidy throughout their time on site.

Any vehicles that cannot fit within the allocated stand space must park in the nearest car park. Please remember that back of house is not a car park, you could be fined.

Important Notice –

Digging and/or disturbing the ground on the Blenheim Palace Estate is forbidden. If you intend to install a structure, flag poles or any item that requires breaking the earth, you will require prior written permission before commencement of work.

Underground infrastructure, pipes, and cables, run across the estate. Anyone found digging or disturbing the ground, without permission, will be charged for damage caused.

Contact Catherine Bishop Catherine.bishop@thegamefair.org

During the construction period, ALL persons on-site will be required to wear a Hi-Vis vest or jacket and suitable sturdy footwear.

Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required as outlined in your risk assessment for the task being carried out. Additional PPE, such as hard hats, eye protection, gloves, etc., may be required when performing specific tasks, these should be identified in your risk assessment.

Working from Height

• You must make sure work is properly planned, supervised and carried out by competent people with the skills, knowledge and experience to do the job. You must use the correct equipment for working at height.

  Take a sensible approach when considering precautions. Low-risk, relatively straightforward tasks will require less effort when it comes to planning and there may be some low-risk situations where common sense tells you no particular precautions are necessary.

•  

  Assessing and controlling the risks -
•  

• First assess the risks, considering the: 

• Height of the task
• Duration and frequency
• Condition of the surface being worked on

• Before working at height follow these simple steps:

• Avoid work at height where it's reasonably practicable to do so
• Where work at height cannot be easily avoided, prevent falls by using the right type of equipment
• Where the risk cannot be eliminated, minimise the distance and consequences of a fall by using the right type of equipment 

• For each step, consider measures that protect everyone at risk (collective protection) before measures that only protect the individual (personal protection).

Local Shops for essentials 

Stonesfield Village Shop,

Judds Garage,

Woodstock village shops

Long Hanborough co-op are your closest shops

Large super markets at Witney (Sainsburys, Waitrose and Aldi) or Kidlington (Sainsburys and Tesco).

Our much loved show guide is returning for 2024.

To have a presence in the A-Z listing on the show website and in the hard copy show guide, you must upload your branding onto the Ezone. The content in your company profile will be reproduced in The Game Fair website A-Z listings, don't forget to tick your selection in the product finder.

Please check your trading name is correct on the E-Zone, as this is how it will be reproduces in the A-Z Exhibitor listings and the show guide 2024. 

Disclaimer - The Game Fair assumes no responsibility or liability for errors made by Exhibitors when adding information to their company profile. Information added to the Ezone is on the understanding that the text and product selection will be displayed in the A-Z listing and will transfer over to the hard copy show guide

The is no mobile phone service on the Blenheim Estate. We have arranged for vodaphone and O2 to install a mobile mast during the weekend of The Game Fair. Unfortunately, EE declined our request. If you are an EE customer you may want to consider buying a vodaphone / O2 SIM card for use during the show. 

Starlink - We do not permit starlink equipment on-site as this system affects our service to the rest of the show.