Dramatic photos reveal street horse races as hundreds of travellers flock to enormous 800-year-old fair
HUNDREDS of travellers have flocked to an enormous centuries old funfair with street horse races and ponies for sale.
The Wickham Horse Fair has been held in The Square in Wickham, Hampshire, for almost 800 years.
Hundreds of people were pictured basking in the glorious sunshine to watch horses on display and enjoy the funfair today.
Large crowds were seen standing near barriers as others happily rode around on horses.
Traveller families are believed to have started to gather for the Wickham Horse Fair since 1269.
And today was no different as excited men, women and children flocked to the square.
The start of the yearly fair has seen some flying down the street as they participate in street horse races.
Others paraded ponies down the road in a bid to find a willing buyer as excited onlookers watched on.
The road is packed with stalls selling a range of things from baby, and adult clothes, to cleaning products and bedding.
Shoes of all shapes and sizes were also on display.
Meanwhile, colourful balloons, handbags and hats were also on sale.
Food and drink is also on offer to hungry attendees with one stall serving up Yorkshire Pudding wraps.
As is tradition, this year’s fair is being held on Monday, May 20.
It is customary for the event to take place on May 20 – except when it falls on a Sunday.
Despite being a Monday morning, the fair is quite busy with many already taking the chance to enjoy the warm weather with a pint.
The Wickham Horse Fair traces its origins back to when Roger De Syres obtained a royal charter from King Henry III to have a weekly market in 1269.
Over the years this morphed into an annual fair.
Members of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s licensing team spoke to local licensed premises to remind them that the event is taking place and that they could receive increased numbers of customers.
Road closures throughout have meant all local businesses and pubs have closed today.
Wickham Square will be temporarily closed to traffic from 12pm, on Sunday, May 19 and will re-open on Tuesday, May 21 at 10am.
The A334 is closed from the Shell petrol station to Titchfield Lane due to the event.
It will remain shut until 8pm today.
What is the Wickham Horse Fair?
Wickham Horse Fair has been held in The Square in Wickham, Fareham, for almost 800 years.
As is tradition, this year’s fair is being held on Monday, May 20.
It is customary for the event to take place on May 20 – except when it falls on a Sunday.
2022 saw it’s official return following Covid lockdown restrictions.
However, an unauthorised gathering took place in 2021 – with people selling, racing and admiring ponies as well as enjoying a funfair.
It was back in full force for 2023 with spectacular traditional horse racing on display.
The horse fair has been taking place since 1269, which is almost 800 years ago – making it one of the oldest horse fairs in the country.
The Wickham Horse Fair traces its origins back to when Roger De Syres obtained a royal charter from King Henry III to have a weekly market in 1269.
Over the years this morphed into an annual fair.