CELEBRITIES will lead walks through ancient woodland at Blenheim Palace as part of this year’s CLA Game Fair.

TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh, former England rugby captain Phil Vickery and former JLS singer JB Gill will each guide 20 visitors along a one-mile route not usually open to the public.

They are all ambassadors of the Prince’s Countryside Fund charity and will support its Walk a Country Mile campaign, on Friday, July 18.

The fair’s interim director Tony Wall said: “It’s got to be one of the nicest locations for a walk in an area that under normal circumstances people wouldn’t have the opportunity to do. It’s quite an unusual area they are going into with some very interesting people leading the way.”

Walkers, who must register online and who will then be chosen on a first come, first served basis, will gather at Bladon Bridge in the palace grounds. The celebrity ambassadors will talk about significant areas on the route and their own experiences in the countryside, as well as answering questions.

There will also be walks on Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20, led by other charity ambassadors who are yet to be announced.

Marketing manager Charlie Thomas, who hopes to take part in one of the walks, said: “With Blenheim Palace being a World Heritage Site, this is one of the most beautiful places to have the walk.

“Some of the trees in the woodland are more than 200 years old and to walk through the grounds with a household name will be a one-off experience. You often just see their celebrity side and you forget that they have interests as well. I’m quite keen to go with Phil Vickery because I’m a big rugby fan.”

Alan Titchmarsh said: “We’re in danger of having a younger generation who are fearful of the countryside as they don’t get out there into it – they don’t understand it.

“I want to banish all of that and get people exploring so they can realise for themselves what a great place the outdoors is.

“It’s somewhere to be cherished. It’s not an onerous responsibility to look after it, it is a joy.”

About 150,000 people are expected to attend the fair, which celebrates country life and will host a series of attractions and activities, including clay pigeon shooting, a gun dog competition and a food market.

To register for the walks, email lucy.jenkins @cla.org.uk

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