Annual Traditional Gypsy Horse Fair in Cumbria

The Appleby Horse Fair, held annually in the small town of Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, is one of the oldest and most famous gatherings of Romani and Traveller communities in Europe. Its origins date back to 1685, when James II granted a Royal Charter allowing a horse fair to be held “near the River Eden.” Since then the week long fair has taken place every year during the first week in June. The fair has long been a landmark event for Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller people, not only providing an opportunity to buy and sell horses but also an important community gathering that celebrates traditional culture allowing families and friends to reunite.

The River Eden plays an important role in the fair, it’s where horses are washed and paraded along the banks before being shown off to potential buyers, a spectacle that today draws many tourists. Over the centuries, the Appleby Fair has evolved from a purely commercial horse trading event into a wider festival, attracting tens of thousands of visitors, including both Travellers and tourists. Despite facing such challenges as calls for regulation, public order concerns, and the impact of modern transport and technology on horse trading, the fair is still deeply significant to Gypsy and Traveller culture. For many, it is not just an economic exchange but an enduring statement of identity.

An audio slideshow with interviews and more pictures can be found here.