The Countryside Comes to Town

The inaugural Country Life Fair will bring the best of British rural life to town – in the beautiful grounds of Fulham Palace, SW6 on 27^th and 28^th September.

Inspired by Country Life magazine, the fair will have something for all country-minded townies, from the green-fingered to the country pursuit enthusiast to the gourmet and bon viveur! 

An eclectic range of 200 exhibitors, including luxury heritage brands, designers, property and land agents, artists and artisans will be displaying, explaining and selling their wares from country pursuits accessories, tweeds, jewellery, cashmere and leather goods to antiques, sculptures, home wares and garden furniture to fine wines, bespoke gins and a plethora of speciality foods.

Beyond the shopping…

Ben Fogle, the fair’s president, will be joined by Tom Parker Bowles, Dick Strawbridge and other well-known names and experts who will share their knowledge of cookery, gardening, ecology and even bee keeping with talks and demonstrations.

Family Fun – from ferrets and falconry to dog displays by The Kennel Club in the Showring; the Kidsrome mini farm and rural activities, such as edible window box planting and corn dolly making, from Countryside Learning. What’s more, under 12s have free entry when accompanied by an adult (2 children admitted free with each adult ticket).

For the Country Cook – food demonstrations and talks by Tom Parker Bowles, Rachel Green, Mike Robinson, Ralph Skripek, Jose Souto and other celebrity chefs and ‘foodies’ will be sharing their knowledge and skills – from cooking game to smoking fish – in the Country Kitchen Theatre sponsored by Aga Rangemaster.

For the Green-fingered – RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medallists Cleve West and Ann Marie Powell and a host of other gardening experts, including James Alexander Sinclair, Val Bourne, Tiffany Daneff, Laetitia Maklouf and George Plumtre, will be giving talks and advice on how to plan, maintain and make the best of your outdoor space from a large garden to a window box, in the Grand Marquee Theatre and Walled Garden (sponsored by Alitex and intoGardens).

For the Fashionista – ‘Tweed to Town’ fashion shows – featuring the designs and creations of the Country Life Fair exhibitors from tweed with a twist to hats galore, from race wear to evening wear from beautiful jewellery by Boodles, main sponsor of the Country Life Fair to boots for town and the field!

For the Ecologist – sustainability expert Dick Strawbridge will share his tips for greener living in town or in the country, while ‘The Bee Man’ James Hamill will be giving advice on bee keeping and conservation.

For the Bon Viveur – take a break in the Country Life Fair outpost of the Brown Cow and Sands End pubs, sample a bespoke ‘Country Life Fair’ cocktail by Mr Fogg’s of Mayfair, try the Ginkhana ™gin-tasting experience, tuck into a delicious lunch or afternoon tea provided by leading London caterer Blue Strawberry or indulge in Caviar House & Prunier’s finest seafood and champagne. 

Tickets are available now, but selling quickly – priced from £23 (advance ticket price) for a garden ticket, £35 for a Boodles Diamond Ticket, which offers a free glass of champagne and the chance to win a Boodles Diamond, and £125 for the Palace Country Life Ticket, providing exclusive access to the Country Life Fair Club with unlimited champagne, drinks and canapés served within the palace, as well as a chance to win a Boodles diamond. 

The Country Life Fair will revive the spirit of the garden parties hosted by Fulham Palace in the early 20^th Century – although visitors will be protected from the rain as the fair is largely under cover.  So, dig out your best tweeds for a fun day in the country – without the journey, or the mud! Visit www.countrylifefair.co.uk for tickets and more details.