‘Don’t arrive too soon’ - message for Appleby Horse Fair 2026

“I am appealing to the Gypsy and Traveller community not to come too close, too soon to this year’s Fair - says Billy Welch.

With one month to go until the start of Appleby Horse fair on Thursday 4 June, Fair-goers bringing towed caravans to this year’s Appleby Horse Fair are being reminded of the need to carefully plan their journeys and not arrive too soon.

Gypsy, Traveller and Roma representative, Billy Welch, a member of the Multi Agency Co-ordinating Group (MASCG), who work to make the Fair as safe as possible for residents and visitors, said:

“I am appealing to the Gypsy and Traveller community not to come too close, too soon to this year’s Fair. If we are spread out more, we have less of an impact on the surrounding towns and villages. This will help the authorities to prepare for the fair as well as showing consideration for local residents. So please, try not to arrive until it's time for the fields to open on Thursday 4 June.”

Claire Notman, Chair of the MASCG and Senior Manager Communities at Westmorland and Furness Council, said:

“A priority for all the agencies involved in the response to the Fair is that people and their animals travel as safely as possible to and from the Fair and respect the communities that they pass through.

“As a result of this approach, Traffic Regulation Orders prohibiting roadside parking will be in place at various locations along travelling routes to the Fair.

“The overriding message is, please do not come to the Fair early. Arriving too soon causes unnecessary disruption for residents and problems on the road network, so we request that people plan-ahead and do not set off sooner than they need to.”

MASCG press release/TT News

(Photograph: 2024: One of the many stopping places on the way to Appleby Fair (C) Eszter Halasi)