Final plans in place for horse fair's 250th year

2 hours ago

News image — Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to attend the 250th Appleby Horse Fair from Thursday

Reuters A white and black horse with long straight mane stands in front of three traditional Romany caravans during the annual horse fair in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria. The caravans are circular and wooden, sitting above traditional wagon wheels. They and the horse - which is side-on and facing to the right of the image - are in a field of longish grass, while out of focus in the background rocky hills rise up. — Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to attend the 250th Appleby Horse Fair from Thursday

Final preparations are being made ahead of one of the biggest events in the UK's Gypsy, Roma and traveller calendar.

Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to attend the 250th Appleby Horse Fair between 4 and 10 June, with the majority of activities happening over the weekend.

Police have warned drivers to take extra care with many horse-drawn bowtops and caravans travelling slowly, while attendees have been asked not to turn up to soon in advance.

There are eight temporary stop over areas in County Durham and about 80 in Cumbria, while there are parking restrictions at Murton village green and Church Brough with Edenside car park closed until 9 June.

Temporary facilities for horse tethering and sulky parking at Appleby Library car park will be in place, with Blue Badge parking provision allowed on some bays at the library from Thursday to Sunday, organisers said.

Cooler temperatures and outbreaks of rain are forecasted across much of Cumbria as people make their way over to Appleby in the next few days.

Appleby Town Council Concrete blocks cover the entrance to a car park. There is a yellow road sign which reads 'EDENSIDE CAR PARK CLOSED 01/06 TO 09/06'. There are also two traffic cones in front of the blocks and lots of large trees at the rear of the car park. — Edenside car park in Appleby has been closed ahead of the horse fair

Jubilee Ford will be closed throughout the event due to significant erosion on the southern edge of the crossing, which has created a substantial drop into the river.

Westmorland and Furness Council added it had set up 30 large bins around Appleby to help keep littering to a minimum.

Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.