Preparations are underway for this year’s Appleby Horse Fair, which kicks off on Friday June 9.
The event is billed as the biggest traditional Gypsy fair in Europe, and is commonly likened to a large family gathering.
The horses are washed on the sands of the River Eden in the town centre and trotted up and down the ‘flashing lane’ throughout each day of the event.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What is Appleby Horse Fair?
The Appleby Horse Fair has existed since the 18th century and is an annual gathering of Gypsies and Travellers from all over the UK.
The fair is held each year on the first weekend in June, and attracts roughly 10,000 Gypsies and Travellers, about 1,000 caravans, several hundred horse-drawn vehicles, and up to 30,000 visitors.
There is a market on the fair site, selling a variety of goods, many traditional to the Gypsy travelling community, and a range other horse-related products.
A sheep and cattle fair existed on the site since 1775, with the fair evolving into a major Gyspy and Traveller occasion since the early 1900s.
When is the fair?
The fair will run from Friday June 9 until Sunday June 11.
Large crowds will be expected across the weekend, with travellers from all over the UK coming together to enjoy the annual gathering alongside visitors, tourists and locals.
Where can I park?
There will be no fewer than 12 car parks available nearby on each day of the fair, these are:
- Rotary car park
- Fair Hill
- Uptop
- Castle
- Football Field
- Appleby Grammar School (Saturday only)
- Long Martin Road
- Bousfield
- Holme Farm Field
- Broad Close
- the railway station
- the field next to Market Field on the opposite side of the flashing lane (Long Marton Road).
So whichever direction you’re travelling from, there will be plenty of car parking available. Prices across all of the car parks will vary between £5 and £10 per day per car.
Limited disabled parking is available in the town centre near the Moot Hall, and there will be some disabled parking spaces on the festival site at Fair Hill – speak to police on duty for access or enquire at the Tourist Information Centre for assistance.
What about toilets?
Portable toilets will be available in most of the car parks and in the sands area near the river, as well as in the town centre and Fair Hill. Public toilets are available next to the entrance to the Public Hall and at the Broad Close car park.
A disabled toilet with a baby-changing facility is also available for the public to use next to the Tourist Information Centre.
Cash points?
The fair traditionally features an open-air market where people can browse all kinds of interesting items and artefacts, many related to Gypsy and Traveller culture.
For those keen to indulge in some market treasures, or even considering buying a horse, there are cash machines available at the post office, Spar and Co-op in the town centre.
Should I bring my dog?
Animal welfare charities have representatives at the fair and said they strongly discourage anyone from taking their dog to the fair.
Dogs have needed to be rescued from hot vehicles at 14 of the past 15 events.
RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy said: “Day trippers should not bring their dogs to the fair, this is not the place for them.”
What if I have concerns about a horse or other animal?
Nine animal welfare charities work together on the Appleby Horse Fair Equine Welfare Project – the RSPCA; Redwings Horse Sanctuary; Blue Cross; World Horse Welfare; Bransby Horses; The British Horse Society; The Donkey Sanctuary; Oak Tree Animals and The Horse Trust.
There will be over 70 people from the organisations at the fair.
RSPCA officers will be supported by the other charities at the event to help any animals who are sick, injured or whose needs are not being met.
There will be a vet station at Salt Tip Corner where assistance can be sought for any animal that needs it. The vet station will be staffed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 4pm.
Travel and public transport
A regular train service stops at Appleby, which is on the picturesque Carlisle – Settle line; departing from locations around the region, including from Carlisle to the north and from Leeds to the south east.
Local bus services during the fair are limited due to the road closures; visit the Stagecoach and Westmorland and Furness Council websites for more information.
Accommodation
Finding accommodation can be extremely difficult during the horse fair. Make enquiries about any vacancies via the Visit Eden website, or alternatively by contacting Appleby Tourist Information Centre on 017683 51177.
Alcohol at the fair
This year’s event will see a licenced beer tent close to the fair site – next to Salt Tip Corner – with capacity for 2,500 people. Having a licenced bar helps to relieve some pressure from the town centre and is closer to the fair site and trotting lane for people to access.