Pictures as crowds arrive for Appleby Horse Fair 2026

The annual gathering, held in and around the town of Appleby from June 4 to 10 this year, is celebrating its 250th year where it attracts thousands of visitors travelling through parts of County Durham, and elsewhere, on their way to the fair.

First held in the 18th century, Appleby Horse Fair has grown from a meeting for sheep and cattle drovers and horse dealers into a major Gypsy and Traveller fair that is unique in Europe.

Today, it draws around 10,000 Gypsies and Travellers and more than 30,000 other visitors, who come to see horses washed in the River Eden.

People in horse drawn carriages during the Appleby Horse Fair, the annual gathering of the travelling community in Appleby, Cumbria. Picture date: Thursday June 4, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

The fair is famous for its brightly decorated bowtop caravans, traditional wagons and modern vehicles, as well as its rows of stalls selling harnesses, hardware, clothing and china.

It also gives communities the chance to meet up, celebrate their culture and conduct business, with horse dealing, riding, storytelling, music and dance all forming part of the week-long event.

People in horse drawn carriages during the Appleby Horse Fair, the annual gathering of the travelling community in Appleby, Cumbria. Picture date: Thursday June 4, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

This year, as travellers make their way through County Durham, the council has set up eight temporary stopover areas (TSOAs) to offer safe places to rest.

People attending the Appleby Horse Fair, the annual gathering of the travelling community in Appleby, Cumbria. Picture date: Thursday June 4, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

Councillor Dawn Bellingham, the council’s cabinet member for communities and civic resilience, said: “These TSOAs are provided every year, and we would encourage people attending Appleby Horse Fair to use them, as they provide a safe and convenient place to stop.

People in horse drawn carriages pass a police ANPR van during the Appleby Horse Fair, the annual gathering of the travelling community in Appleby, Cumbria. Picture date: Thursday June 4, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire. (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

“We work closely with our partners to ensure that these areas bring benefit to both users and residents living along the routes.”

There are eight TSOAs in place until June 25.

The locations are:

• Westerton Lay by, DL14 8AL
• Gurney Valley, DL14 8RP
• Broomielaw Picnic Area, DL12 8TT
• Guide Post Corner, Bowes, DL12 9HU
• Land at Stainton Bank, DL12 8RQ
• Shaw Bank Field, DL12 8TD
• Wackerfield Lay by, DL2 3AP
• Winston Corner, DL2 3RW