Appleby Horse Fair
Appleby Horse Fair takes place Jun 3 - 9, 2027 in Appleby-in-Westmorland, United Kingdom. The dress code is Casual and practical - waterproofs and boots you do not mind ruining. No dress code whatsoever, and no attempt at country-house style. Typical cost ranges from 150 to 500 EUR per person.
The largest traditional gathering of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in Europe, held under a charter tradition stretching back to the 18th century and centred on horse trading rather than performance. Thousands of horses are washed in the River Eden, run hard along the flashing lane for buyers, and traded by hand-slap on Fair Hill. Nothing about it is staged for visitors, which is exactly what makes it worth the trip.
- When
- Jun 3 - 9, 2027
- Where
- Appleby-in-Westmorland, United Kingdom
- Dress code
- Casual and practical - waterproofs and boots you do not mind ruining. No dress code whatsoever, and no attempt at country-house style.
- Cost
- Typical cost ranges from 150 to 500 EUR per person.
- Weather
- 8 - 18C, mild and unsettled with frequent showers and mud
- When to book
- Accommodation across Appleby, Penrith and Kirkby Stephen books up close to a year ahead; day-tripping from Penrith is the realistic fallback.
- Getting there
- NCL (Newcastle), 1 hr 45 min to venue
- Where to stay
- Appleby Manor Hotel & Garden Spa, Tufton Arms Hotel, Appleby, The George Hotel, Penrith
- Official site
- https://applebyfair.org/
How to attend
Free and open to anyone - simply arrive, ideally on the main days from Thursday to Sunday. Park in the signed visitor car parks for a small fee and walk in, as central roads are closed or gridlocked. Read the visitor guidance on the official site first: this is a community's own event, so ask before photographing people and keep out of the way on the flashing lane. Cumbria's roads are slow, so allow far longer than the map suggests.
Free to attend with no ticket of any kind; simply arrive and pay only for one of the signed visitor car parks.
Insider tip
The washing of the horses in the River Eden mid-morning is the image everyone comes for, but the trading actually happens on the flashing lane, where horses are run flat out past prospective buyers.
Get inside Appleby Horse Fair
Booking matters here: accommodation across Appleby, Penrith and Kirkby Stephen books up close to a year ahead; day-tripping from Penrith is the realistic fallback. Members track that window, what it really costs, and 573 more events across the season.
Free while in beta. One email when your invitation is ready, nothing else.