Fairs & Festivals of the Thames Valley

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London	.	London	.	Calendar	.
TQ2768	Mitcham	Mitcham Fair: Taking place at the start of the oyster season (2nd week in August) it was perfectly timed for the custom of children building grottoes of the shells to beg money to spend at the fair. It was indeed the last known place where this custom was carried on into the 1950's	.	2WkAug	.
TQ2880	Mayfair	May Fair: Granted by James II in 1689 for "the buying and selling of all manner of goods and merchandises" , starting on the 1st May and lasting for about 16 days. It soon became a pure pleasure fair. An idea of it's original rural location can be gathered from accounts of its popular pastime of duck hunting by dogs. The fair lasted until 1764 when urban expansion and complaints from new residents and buisneses finished it off. See also Maypoles	.	1May	.
TQ3179	Southwark	Southwark Fair: The subject of the famous painting by William Hogarth the fair was originally authorised to run from 7 - 9 September but, as fairs so often do so, became extended to 2 weeks. Here is Samuel Pepys account of 1668: I turned back and to Southwark Fair, very dirty, and there saw the puppet-show of Whittington, which was pretty to see; and how that idle thing doth work upon people that see it, and even myself too. And thence to Jacob Hall's dancing on the ropes, where I saw such action as I ever saw before, and mightily worth seeing. And there took acquaintance with a fellow that carried me to a tavern, whither came the musicians of this booth, and by and by Jacob Hall himself, with whom I had mind to speak, to hear whether he had ever any mischief by falls in his time; he told me "Yes, many but never to the breaking of a limb"	.	7Sep	.
TQ3181	Smithfield	St. Bartholomew Fair: Granted by charter of Henry I to the Prior of St. Bartholomew's Church and Priory in 1133, starting on St. Bartholomew's Day (24 Aug) and lasting anything from 3 days to 3 weeks. Originally a trade fair specialising in cloth it came to be known for its theatrical booths showing anything from Shakespear to the latest comedy. In 1843 the Act for Regulating Theatres was passed and in 1855 the fair was proclaimed for the last time.	.	24Aug	.
TQ3877	Greenwich	Greenwich Fair: Twice yearly fair at Easter and Whitsun. By the latter part of the 18th century this pleasure fair was attracting huge numbers of especially servant girls and apprentices to its rides, dancing & play booths, shows, menageries, fortune tellers and gingerbread sellers. It finally ended in 1856. Sketches By Boz (by Charles Dickens) CHAPTER XII - GREENWICH FAIR The chief place of resort in the daytime, after the public-houses, is the park, in which the principal amusement is to drag young ladies up the steep hill which leads to the Observatory, and then drag them down again, at the very top of their speed, greatly to the derangement of their curls and bonnet-caps, and much to the edification of lookers-on from below. `Kiss in the Ring,` and `Threading my Grandmother`s Needle,` too, are sports which receive their full share of patronage. ......The grandest and most numerously-frequented booth in the whole fair, however, is `The Crown and Anchor` - a temporary ball-room we forget how many hundred feet long, the price of admission to which is one shilling. .....There is a raised orchestra, and the place is boarded all the way down, in patches, just wide enough for a country dance. ......There is no master of the ceremonies in this artificial Eden - all is primitive, unreserved, and unstudied. ......The dancing, itself, beggars description - every figure lasts about an hour, and the ladies bounce up and down the middle, with a degree of spirit which is quite indescribable. As to the gentlemen, they stamp their feet against the ground, every time `hands four round` begins, go down the middle and up again, with cigars in their mouths, and silk handkerchiefs in their hands, and whirl their partners round, nothing loth, scrambling and falling, and embracing, and knocking up against the other couples, until they are fairly tired out, and can move no longer. May Fayre: The Old Royal Naval College now hold an annual family orientated event with maypole dancing, Punch and Judy, Green Man, Music, Hog Roast and various stalls.	.	Easter Whitsun May	.
TQ4177	Charlton Park	Charlton Horn Fair: Charlton, a village famous, or rather infamous, for the yearly collected rabble of mad-people at Horn Fair .... so starts Daniel Defoe's account of this 3 day event. Starting on St. Luke's day (from the dedication of the local church), the saints symbol of an ox with horns carried in procession had developed into the mob's humour of wearing horns as a cuckolded man has been made to "wear the horns" as his wife has been unfaithful to him. The fair quickly gathered a bad reputation.	.	18Oct	.
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Herts	.	Hertfordshire	.	Calendar	.
TQ1289	Pinner High Street	Pinner Fair: Charter dating from time of Edward III 1336. Traditionally held at Whitsun but now on the Wednesday after Spring Bank Holiday. One of the last surviving street fairs in Middlesex. An account from the 1830's states: The chief attractions were roundabouts, swinging-boats, single-sticks and boxing matches amongst the labourers, jumping in sacks, climbing the greased pole for a leg of mutton or a hat on the top, and last but not least in importance a dance at a public house.	.	Whitsun May	.
TQ2496	High Barnet	Barnet Fair: 4-6 September (unless one day is a Sunday) Founded by charter in 1588 and famous for horses and cattle. The horses attracted the Gypsies, cattle by their thousand came down from the Highlands and it was even known for Cossacks from Russia to attend, clothed in their native costumes. Then pleasure fair was popular with street traders and became known as the Coster's (Costermongers) Carnival, a procession of brightly decorated horse-drawn vehicles entertained onlookers. An account of 1876 reads: For instance, while the missus went to the wax work, me and Simmonds was in the next tent having a game at skittles; then we took a turn in Sluggers' sparring booth, while the ladies passed a pleasant half hour in the Star Ghost caravan and got their blood froze for a penny, which considering the heat of the afternoon, wasn't dear. After that, by way of restoring their spirits, they went to see the four-legged duck and the big-headed child and the living skellington; Bill and me meanwhile enjoying ourselves in a van where there was a Kaffir eating live rats; by which time we was ready for tea and a relish with it. There was also a horse racing course here until 1870, but in 1872 High Barnet railway station was built on the site.	.	4Sep	.
TQ4591	Fairlop	Fairlop Fair: Under the branches of the Fairlop Oak, the Fairlop Fair was held, on the first Friday in July from around 1725. By 1805, the oak was hollow and people would often have picnics inside it and light fires, one of which caught the tree alight and the fire raged for 24 hours despite attempts to put it out. On fair day in 1813 the last green sprig was gathered and gales in February 1820 brought the tree down. The pulpit of St. Pancras Church is made from the wood.	.	1FriJul	.
TL5428	Henham	Henham Fair: A local legend in which a dragon was seen close to the village in 1699 resulted in flying serpents being sold at the fair up until the start of the 2nd World War.	.	30 May
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Windsor
. Windsor Forest .
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SU6384 Ipsden Wood Festival Celebration of Music and Nature in the beautiful surroundings of Braziers Park, Oxfordshire.
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May
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SU7273 Reading Waterfest Saturday near 21st. Stalls and boats by the canal. Music, dance and drama in the Abbey Ruins.
Medieval fairs of: St. Philip & James (1 May), James (25 Jul), Laurence (10 Aug) .
Sat21Jun
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SU8168 Wokingham. Wokingham May Fayre. Since 2007 Earley Folk Dance Group have revived the traditional Maypole Dancing. May Day Bank Holiday Monday
Medieval Fairs of: St. Barnabas (11 Jun), All Saints (1 Nov)
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1MonMay
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SU8878 Bray Wick Roundabout Littlewick Green Show (moved to the showground next to Junction 8 of the M4 near Maidenhead) August Bank Holiday Monday
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LstMonAug
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SU9466 Sunningdale Sunningdale Carnival: Started in 1977 to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee, it has continued as a charity event ever since. Since 2007 I have helped with the maypole dancing, converting the flagpole into a maypole and attaching ribbons to it. I am active in developing this aspect of the event for the future. The Date of the Carnival has recently been moved from the Late May Bank Holiday Monday to September due to adverse weather and ground conditions.
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Sep

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SU9676 Windsor Medieval Fairs of: St. George (23 Apr), Midsummer (24 Jun), Edward (13 Oct) . . .

SU9948 Guildford St. Catherine's Hill: Medieval Fair on St Matthew's Day (21 Sep)
St. Catherine's Chapel . . .

TQ0267 Chertsey St Anne's Hill: Medieval fair on St. Anne's Day (26 Jul) . . .

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Chilterns
. Chiltern Hills .
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SP7305 Towersey Fair & Folk Festival The modern Towersey Village Festival takes place over the August Bank Holiday Weekend

Song: Towersey Fair

Chorus:
Hustling, bustling, hurrying, scurrying,
Laughing and dancing and nobody worrying
Early, early in the morning,
On the road to Towersey Fair. In Oxfordshire all as I strayed,
One fine May morn to take the air.
It was there I spied a pretty fair maid,
As she was going to Towersey Fair.

Says I, "Fair maid, where do you wander,
O'er the fields and meadows gay?"
Says she, "Kind sir, it's over yonder,
To Towersey Fair I'm making my way" Her eyes, they shone like diamonds bright,
Long and golden was her hair.
Her feet were nimble, her step it was light,
As we strode out to Towersey Fair.

T'was on that merry May Morning,
We stopped a while to sport and play.
Now the pretty maid's got a ring,
And it's time to name the wedding day.

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AugBHWe
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KennetE
. Kennet East .
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SU4980 East Ilsley Former Sheep Fair: Feast of the Assumption 15 Aug. Held until 1934 but revived as a village fete in 1975.
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15 Aug
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SU3146 Wey Hill Wey Hill Fair
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SU4829 Winchester St. Giles' Fair St. Giles' Hill . .

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Oxford . Oxfordshire .
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SP1825 Stow on the Wold Gypsy Horse Fair: Twice a year on the nearest Thursday to 12th May and 24th October
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Thu12May

Thu24Oct
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SP5106 Oxford St.Giles'Fair: The first Monday and Tuesday in the week after St. Giles' Day (1 Sep)
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Tue1Sep
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KennetW
. Kennet West .
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SU0863 Tan Hill Tan Hill Fair St. Anne's Hill . .

ST9273 Chippenham Chippenham Folk Festival. Late May Bank Holiday Weekend
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LtMayBH
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Mendips
. Mendip & Quantock Hills .
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ST2936 Bridgwater Bridgwater Carnival Formerly the nearest Thursday to the 5th November, now the Friday after.
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Fri5Nov
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ST5251 Priddy Priddy Sheep Fair. Traditional Sheep Fair. originally held on Feast of St. Lawrence the Martyr (10 Aug) now on the Wednesday nearest the 21st Aug. Moved from Wells in 1348 because of the Black Death and held every year since except 2001 & 2007 (due to foot and mouth)
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10Aug

Wed21Aug
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National	.	Other Sites in England & Wales	.	Calendar	.
SX7176	Widecombe in the Moor	Widecombe Fair (of Song): Sheep, Cattle, Agricultural Produce, Maypole Dancing, Cow Pat Competition!, Uncle Tom Cobley and All. 2nd Tuesday in September	Link	2TueSep	.
SX4774	Tavistock	Tavistock Goosey Fair. In 1116 King Henry I granted a fair lasting the 3 days of the eve, day and morrow of St. Rumon (29,30,31 August). The fair later moved to Michaelmas day (29 Sep) and then after the change of calendar to the 2nd Wednesday in October. Although you can no longer buy a goose at the fair, local restaurants still serve a goose lunch on the day and there are fairground rides, stalls and side-shows.	Link	2WedOct	.
ST7317	Stalbridge	Toad Fair: Used to be held on the first new moon of May	.	May	.
SU1821	Downton	Cuckoo Fair. Formerly 23 April modern revival moved to May Day Bank Holiday Monday. Traditionally on the 23rd of April the villagers of Downton open the gate to let the cuckoo fly through.	Link	23Apr MayBH	.
TQ5821	Heathfield	Cuckoo Fair: Took place on 14th April, when it was said that the old lady opened her basket and let out the first cuckoo of spring.	.	14Apr
SO5967	Tenbury Wells	Cuckoo Fair: Used to take place on the 20th April. Mistletoe Festival: takes place in December.	.	20Apr
SU8604	Chichester	Sloe Fair: Traditional fair which lasts for just the one day (20th Oct, 21st if this falls on a Sunday)	.	20Oct
TF6220	King's Lynn	King's Lynn Mart: Start of travelling Fun Fair season. St Valentines Day 14 February.	Link	14Feb	.
TF4609	Wisbech	Rose Fair Flower Festival (Parade: 1st Sat in July). Wisbech Mart 1st 2 weeks in March (after King's Lynn Mart) Statute Fair in September.	Link	1SatJul	.
TL5666	Reach	Reach Fair Englands oldest fair dating back to 1201	Link	MayBH	.
TL4759	Cambridge	Sturbridge Fair A Medieval trade fair, at one time one the largest in Europe. Ceased, after many years of decline in 1933. A re-enactment is held each year in September at the old Leper Chapel Newmarket Rd.	Link	Sep	.
TL4559	Cambridge	Midsummer Fair Another very old fair granted to Barnwell Priory in 1211 to be held 22-25 June. At one time known as "Pot Fair" because of the the pots sold there.	Link	24Jun	.
TL4856	Cherry Hinton	Cambridge Folk Festival	Link	Jul/Aug
TL3171	St. Ives	St. Ives Fair	.	Whitsun 11Oct
TG2115	Horsham St. Faith	St. Faith's (Fay's) Fair (c1100-1872)	.	(6)17Oct
SK5640	Nottingham	Nottingham Goose Fair: End of travelling Fun Fair season. 1st Thu, Fri & Sat in October.	Link	1ThuOct	.
TA0487	Scarborough	Scarborough Fair (of Song) Henry III granted market charter in 1253. Markets ran from 15th Aug for 45 days and were attended by traders from all over Europe, many entertainers also attended.	Link	15Aug	.
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Windsor	.	Windsor Forest	.	Calendar	.
SU6384	Ipsden	Wood Festival Celebration of Music and Nature in the beautiful surroundings of Braziers Park, Oxfordshire.	Link	May	.
SU7273	Reading	Waterfest Saturday near 21st. Stalls and boats by the canal. Music, dance and drama in the Abbey Ruins. Medieval fairs of: St. Philip & James (1 May), James (25 Jul), Laurence (10 Aug)	.	Sat21Jun	.
SU8168	Wokingham.	Wokingham May Fayre. Since 2007 Earley Folk Dance Group have revived the traditional Maypole Dancing. May Day Bank Holiday Monday Medieval Fairs of: St. Barnabas (11 Jun), All Saints (1 Nov)	Page	1MonMay	.
SU8878	Bray Wick Roundabout	Littlewick Green Show (moved to the showground next to Junction 8 of the M4 near Maidenhead) August Bank Holiday Monday	Link	LstMonAug	.
SU9466	Sunningdale	Sunningdale Carnival: Started in 1977 to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee, it has continued as a charity event ever since. Since 2007 I have helped with the maypole dancing, converting the flagpole into a maypole and attaching ribbons to it. I am active in developing this aspect of the event for the future. The Date of the Carnival has recently been moved from the Late May Bank Holiday Monday to September due to adverse weather and ground conditions.	Link	Sep	.
SU9676	Windsor	Medieval Fairs of: St. George (23 Apr), Midsummer (24 Jun), Edward (13 Oct)	.	.	.
SU9948	Guildford	St. Catherine's Hill: Medieval Fair on St Matthew's Day (21 Sep)	.	.	.
TQ0267	Chertsey	St Anne's Hill: Medieval fair on St. Anne's Day (26 Jul)	.	.	.
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KennetE	.	Kennet East	.	Calendar	.
SU4980	East Ilsley	Former Sheep Fair: Feast of the Assumption 15 Aug. Held until 1934 but revived as a village fete in 1975.	Link	15 Aug	.
SU3146	Wey Hill	Wey Hill Fair	.	.
SU4829	Winchester	St. Giles' Fair St. Giles' Hill	.	.
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Oxford	.	Oxfordshire	.	Calendar	.
SP1825	Stow on the Wold	Gypsy Horse Fair: Twice a year on the nearest Thursday to 12th May and 24th October	Link	Thu12May Thu24Oct	.
SP5106	Oxford	St.Giles'Fair: The first Monday and Tuesday in the week after St. Giles' Day (1 Sep)	Link	Tue1Sep	.
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KennetW	.	Kennet West	.	Calendar	.
SU0863	Tan Hill	Tan Hill Fair St. Anne's Hill	.	.
ST9273	Chippenham	Chippenham Folk Festival. Late May Bank Holiday Weekend	Link	LtMayBH	.
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Mendips	.	Mendip & Quantock Hills	.	Calendar	.
ST2936	Bridgwater	Bridgwater Carnival Formerly the nearest Thursday to the 5th November, now the Friday after.	Link	Fri5Nov	.
ST5251	Priddy	Priddy Sheep Fair. Traditional Sheep Fair. originally held on Feast of St. Lawrence the Martyr (10 Aug) now on the Wednesday nearest the 21st Aug. Moved from Wells in 1348 because of the Black Death and held every year since except 2001 & 2007 (due to foot and mouth)	Link	10Aug Wed21Aug	.
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