Chatsworth Country Fair – a Celebration of Country Life

03/06/2008

The enormously popular Chatsworth Country Fair – one of England’s most spectacular outdoor events - is on for the 27th year in 2008 with gardening favourite Alan Titchmarsh presiding over this colourful celebration of country life.

 

Held in the 1000 acre park on the banks of the river Derwent, the three day event in August is packed full of things to watch, do and try, and gives visitors a real flavour of the life in the countryside.

 

The Grand Ring provides the focus with an exciting and varied programme of entertainment from pipe bands and Terrier racing to thrilling parachute displays and demonstrations of top level horsemanship set to music.

 

Country Fair president Alan Titchmarsh will lead the opening ceremony on Friday August 29 at 12pm and will be out and about meeting and greeting the crowds around the fair on this opening day.

 

BBC TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh speaking at last year’s event described the Country Fair as the finest outdoor show in England. The Duke of Devonshire said: “I am proud to say that Chatsworth is one of the foremost country estates in England and serves as a wonderful setting for this contemporary celebration of country life. I can think of no better place for anyone to come to enjoy the best of our rural heritage.”

 

One of the most spectacular sights, weather permitting, promises to be the twice daily hot air balloon lift at dawn and dusk over the beautiful Chatsworth setting, with the grand house sitting at its heart surrounded by impressive gardens and rolling parkland. This is now one of the biggest balloon lifts in the country, second only to the Ashton Court Festival in Bristol. 

 

Other highlights look set to come from one of the country’s top parachute display teams, The Tigers Freefall Team of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, dropping into the arena, smoke trailing and flags flying, and a jaw dropping aerobatics trio displaying at low level.

 

Young troopers in The Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry will display amazing skills on horseback each day in the Grand Ring.  The series of cavalry drill movements set to music was first performed in 1882 and remains as popular a spectacle as ever after 125 years. Horses lie down on command to recall days of battle when a soldier would have sheltered from gunfire behind his horse. Troopers often join the Ride even though they may only have ridden for a matter of months, if ever.

 

The Grand Ring programme runs from 10.30am to 6.30pm on all three days.

 

With over 300 varied trade stands and rural crafts and lots of events around the show ground from highland dancing to horse driving, this is an event that really will deliver a great day out for all the family.

 

As well as a feast of entertainment, what makes the Country Fair so popular is the opportunity to get stuck in to a whole variety of activities from archery and clay pigeon shooting to game fishing and dog shows. Many of the activities come with tuition and demonstrations, so beginners are more than welcome.

New to the Country Fair for 2008 is the opportunity to try kite flying. Watch The Sheffield Kite Fliers (Friday and Saturday only) as they use their kites to board and buggy before taking part in taster sessions with qualified trainers and instructors at various times throughout the day.

 

Last year saw the advent of the Fine Food Village and this is back in force for 2008 showcasing the best of specialist food and drink producers with plenty of quality produce on offer to take home. Food lovers can pick up some tips with cookery demonstrations from chef Martin Griffitths amongst others and visitors should look out too for a planned ‘cook off’ between some surprise contestants.

 

The last surviving all-brass band in the British Army – The Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh – will be providing musical entertainment three times each day coming to a rousing finale on the last day. 

 

Adult tickets are £13 for Friday and Saturday and £15 Sunday. Gates open at 9am with the closing ceremony at 6.30pm. Children aged 14 and under enter for free when accompanied by an adult. Car parking is free and dogs are welcome on a lead. Advance tickets can be bought online, by visiting the Country Fair office website linked below. The farmyard and adventure playground will be closed during this event, although they will have a strong presence on their stand at the Country Fair.

 

Chatsworth is 8 miles north of Matlock off the B6012. It is 16 miles from the M1 Junction 29, signposted via Chesterfield (follow brown signs), 42 miles from the M6 Junction 19 and 30 mins from Chesterfield rail station. For more information visit the Chatsworth Website linked below.