FAQs

Information supplied by Appleby Tourist Information Centre.

When is the 2025 Horse Fair?

The dates for the 2025 Appleby Horse Fair will be: Thursday 5 June to Wednesday 11 June, with the main days being Thursday 5, Friday 6, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025.

Note - if you plan to visit after Sunday 8 June you may be disappointed as there will be very little to see.

Are there any special days or days when certain things happen?

Appleby Fair is not an organised event and as such there is no set programme for anything happening. It is a traditional Gypsy Fair, more like a big family get together. The horses are washed in the river in the centre of town and trotted up and down the flashing lane most main days. 

There is a market on the fields from Friday to Sunday, selling a variety of goods - some traditional to the Gypsy travelling community. To arrange to sell on the field please contact Jimmy Winter on 017683 51456. 

There is a market held in the Public Hall from Thursday to Sunday. To arrange a stall in the Public Hall, please contact David Johnson on 079767 44169.

There are also stalls in the market square in Appleby town centre. To arrange a stall on the market square, please contact Westmorland and Furness Council on 0300 373 3300.

What will I see at the Fair?

The Fair is a sight to see. It is a traditional Gypsy fair, the biggest in Europe. If you don't like crowds, you should probably give it a miss. You can get a taste of what to expect on www.YouTube.com. People particularly enjoy sitting on the river bank and watching the horses being washed. The horses look very smart pulling sulkies up Battlebarrow and the colourful dress of the Gypsy and Traveller women in all their finery. The atmosphere is one of good humoured holiday banter and people come to enjoy themselves.

How can I find somewhere to stay in Appleby within walking distance?

Accommodation within walking distance can be very hard to find. Most accommodation is booked up for the following year when visitors leave. Accommodation information is available at:

If you wish to camp on the Fair Hill with the Gypsy Community, please speak to Mr Billy Welch on 07552 653065, or Mr Bill Lloyd on 07787 132287.

How can I get there on Public Transport?

The best way to travel to the Fair is by train. Appleby station is a 10 minute walk to both the site of the Fair and the town centre. It is on The Settle to Carlisle line, voted one of the most scenic and beautiful lines in the world. Visit www.settle-carlisle.co.uk for timetables.

Bus services to Appleby during the weekend of the Fair are limited and some of the scheduled bus services may not be running into the town. Please check with Appleby Tourist Information Centre for up-to-date information nearer the time. 

Where can I park my car?

There are plenty of car parks in close proximity to the site of the Fair. There is free on-street parking in Appleby town centre for 2 or 3 hours (parking disks available from most shops and the Tourist Information Centre) or Pay and Display at Broad Close car park. There is also parking available at Appleby railway station and during the Fair at Appleby Castle and Appleby Grammar School. 

Please see the Traffic Management Map provided by the Highways Department for details.

 

How much is the parking?

The average cost of parking in the temporary car parks in and around the site of the Fair is £10.00 per car, per day. 

I am bringing a coach of visitors - where do I park?

Parking for coaches is available at:

  • Appleby Grammar School on Saturday and Sunday. To book a space, please call 017683 51580.
  • Appleby Railway Station. To book a space, please call 0791 368 1939.
  • Appleby Castle. To book a space, please call 07593 661 7775.

I have a disabled parking disc - where should I park?

There are some disabled parking spaces adjacent to the Moot Hall in the centre of town, but disabled parking discs are valid for all on street parking in the centre of town. If you wish to park up nearer the field, please speak to the Police on duty.

Where are the Toilets?

Most of the car parks will have portable toilets in them or nearby. In town there are public toilets in the entrance to the Public Hall and Broad Close car park. There is a disabled toilet next to the Tourist Information Centre. There are also plenty of portable toilets down by the river in the town centre and up at the Market fields and Fair Hill. The Railway Station also has limited facilities.

Where are the Cash machines?

There are ATMs at the Post Office, Spar and Co-op.