Countryfile celebrates its 30th anniversary this year on BBC One and we are looking forward to seeing the various presenters next month as BBC Countryfile Live comes to Blenheim Palace again this August.
Hopefully the sunshine will stick around to join in with the festivities from 2nd to 5th August this year as Countryfile Live celebrates its third visit to the grounds of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Countryfile television programme there will an exhibition area this year at Countryfile Live which will go behind the scenes of the show. We were lucky enough to be involved with some filming back in 2014 when my son met the Gruffalo and Ellie, from the show, We’ll certainly be looking forward to hearing more about how the programmes are created.
With a mixture of live arena shows, activities, demonstrations and debates, there is lots to see and enjoy for all the family. I spent time listening to Simon Reeve talking about his travels last year, and can’t wait to see who will be talking this year.
Everyone is catered for at this annual event, with lots of food and drink stalls as well as over 500 independent retailers and lifestyle brands offering a range of shopping experiences.
We always enjoy exploring the National Trust area and Wildlife Zone. There are always lots of activities to try and it’s the perfect area for families. Maybe this year will see my son try out the water sports, after all I got in a kayak for the first time in 2016!
I might leave my husband and son to wander around whilst I visit the National Trust debate theatre and the Quilter Cheviot Theatre to listen to a few debates, talks and ‘Audiences With…’ especially as I’ve heard that there will be some photography workshops taking place this year. In the National Trust theatre you will find the likes of Bushman Ray Mears, ex-JLS member turned farmer JB Gill and the Secretary of State for the Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs Michael Gove.
A firm favourite with my son is the Stihl World Timbersports Championships which he loves to watch, whilst I’m sure his Dad will want to try out the Mercedes Off-Road Driving Experience this year.
New for 2018 as BBC Countryfile Live comes to Blenheim Palace again this August, is the addition of a musical stage which will be headlined by The Shires as well as acoustic guitar virtuoso Newton Faulkner and London-based country folk duo Ferris & Sylvester. The Countryfile Live Summer Party is sponsored by Kuoni and takes place on Saturday 4th August from 6pm – 9pm with tickets now on sale. A limited number of tickets for the Summer Party are available at countryfilelive.com priced at £38. Each adult ticket holder can get up to two free tickets for children under 16. Anyone who has already purchased a day ticket for Countryfile Live will be eligible for a £13 discount on the price of a Summer Party ticket. Existing Countryfile Live ticket holders will be sent a link to claim their discount in an e-newsletter, a valid order reference number is required to claim this discount.
Full show information and tickets are available now from www.countryfilelive.com
disclosure: we are receiving complimentary tickets in exchange for this post but it’s an event I would happily recommend anyway as we’ve enjoyed both years that we’ve visited.
