Bournemouth Horse Fair (August 2026) - a community report by John

The Bournemouth Horse Fair turned out to be a great success on the day, with many day visitors attending. As many will have read, the A31 main road from the M3/M27 into Dorset had been closed for a considerable time due to a vehicle fire that ignited the verge and part of the New Forest. In the days leading up to the fair, people were facing extended journeys to the fair field, with what should have been a three‑hour trip sometimes becoming six hours or more. Fortunately, the road reopened on the morning of the fair, making the journey from the East much easier.

Steve Ashby had re‑thought the layout of the fair on his fields and created an area to ‘flash the horses’, with harness and equestrian dealers set around the perimeter. The market stalls had also moved to a well‑organised area where the trailers and boxes had previously been, and they seemed very busy throughout the day.

With a strong turnout of day visitors, warm and comfortable weather compared to the intense heat of the previous days, and a good mood across the field, it’s fair to say a good time was had by all.

The following day a River Drive was held, going down to the Eye Bridge at Wimborne Minster. I didn’t attend, as I had already made the journey north to be at the Lee Gap Fair.

By John

(All photographs by John unless otherwise stated. Lead photograph: The Kushti Bok stall.The voice for Gypsy, Roma & Traveller people in Dorset.)