Widecombe Fair

Approximate Journey Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Time at Destination: 5 Hours

Comfort Stop: Yes

Drop off Point: Fair Parking

Widecombe Fair is a traditional country fair held annually in the picturesque village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor, nestled in Dartmoor, Devon. Taking place on the second Tuesday of September, the fair has its origins in the 1850s as a livestock market and has since evolved into a vibrant celebration of rural life and community spirit.

Steeped in history since the 1850s, the fair is famously associated with the folk song "Uncle Tom Cobley and All," and offers a vibrant celebration of rural life.  Visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions, including livestock competitions, equestrian displays, vintage machinery, local crafts, and traditional games like bale tossing. Live folk music will be performed throughout the day and into the evening in the beer tent. Established as a rural market for sheep, cattle and ponies in the early 1800’s (though some say it was going on in a smaller capacity well before then), Widecombe Fair has historically held a central position on the local agricultural scene, and although nowadays no buying and selling of cattle takes place, the Fair continues to thrive as a showcase for all things local, traditional and agricultural - it remains a real ‘farmers’ Fair, though mainly a social occasion these days.