Stopping Places

Information about temporary stopping places.

Please plan your journeys carefully to Appleby Fair 2024 as minor changes have been made to the provision of temporary stopping places detailed below, please check for updates before you travel and don't arrive too soon, the 2024 Appleby Horse Fair commences on 6 June 2024.

In 2024, as in recent years, there will be some important enforcement of restrictions on the A685 road on the outskirts of Kirkby Stephen to improve road and public safety (see map for details).

There are in excess of 80 locations in Cumbria commonly used as temporary stopping places by Travellers on route to and from the fair. Not all are used each year and most give rise to little or no concern. However, previous concerns have been raised at some of the more popular locations, these may for example relate to road safety, environmental issues such as large amounts of waste, and problems with horses.

In liaison with Parish Councils and landowners, restrictions regarding period of use, designation of areas that can or cannot be used and restrictions on the use of some locations by motorised vehicles have been agreed and approved by the Multi Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group.

Please note that the Parish Council in Great Asby have determined that the village will no longer be a tolerated stopping place, no facilities will be provided and people who have previously used the area or intended to use the greens within Great Asby are requested to make alternative stopping arrangements for 2024.

 

Due to unforeseen issues there will be no water tap available at Tynewillows, Alston. People using the area will need to have their own water.

The information below identifies some of the more popular locations in the Westmorland and Furness areas where restrictions have been agreed. Please note that the continued use of these stopping places is subject to occupants abiding to the agreed terms of use displayed on the land, including dates of permitted use.

These temporary sites will be regularly visited by representatives from both Cumbria Constabulary and Westmorland and Furness Council during the period of occupation.

The need for regulatory control of these sites will be kept under review and if a site is considered to be unacceptable, appropriate action will be taken.

Please note that certain locations along travelling routes to the Fair have Traffic Regulation Orders in place which for road safety reasons, prohibit roadside parking, these areas will be clearly posted and signed.  In particular, within the Eden area, roadside camping restrictions are in place at Sandford Road End between the A66 and the railway bridge; along certain sections of the A685 between Kirkby Stephen and Brough and along much of Powis Lane, between the A66 and Long Marton Church.

It is an offence to contravene such Orders and action will be taken if parking occurs in contravention of the Order. Where road safety is a concern, especially at junctions where visibility is required this order will also apply to horses or horse drawn caravans.

The overriding message is please do not come early to the Fair, places to stop on route are limited and are needed by those who have no vehicular transport. It is, however, recognised that horse drawn bow tops have to adopt a staged approach when travelling to the Fair and these overnight stopping places are essential for their journey.

Once confirmed maps will be provided below that provide  further details on temporary stopping places where restrictions are in place for:

South Lakeland:

The dates that the temporary stopping places will be permitted from in the South Lakeland area are (pre-fair) Tuesday 28th May to Thursday 6 June 2024 and (post-fair) Monday 10 June until Friday 14 June 2023, at the following sites. 

Please note, facilities at these sites will not be provided until 9am on Tuesday 28 May 2024.

Devils Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale

Middleton Common, Middleton

Rawthey Bridge, Cautley

Scrogg Bank, Sedbergh

Hodge Bridge, Barbon

See map of sites:

Appleby Fair Encampment Protocol:

The aim of the Appleby Fair Encampment Protocol is to effectively manage encampments which occur immediately prior to and after Appleby Fair in a manner which is lawful and proportionate, taking into account the needs, rights and traditions of the Gypsies, Roma and Travellers involved, as well as the concerns and rights of landowners and the local community. There are a considerable number of stopping places which have been used by Gypsies, Roma and Travellers for many years in association with Appleby Fair, although tolerated sites have declined in recent years.