| Where: | West Ardsley, Yorkshire (near Leeds) on Baghill Green off Heybeck Lane |
| When: | 24 August & 17 September (if the dates fall on a Sunday, the fair moves to the next day, Monday, instead) |
| Time: | All day |
Lee Fair is reputedly the oldest charter fair still in existence, with a history dating well over 800 years, and its name is believed to derive from that of local vicar Dr Lee who helped to keep the fair in existence in Tudor times. In its heyday, the horse fair lasted over three weeks from 24th August to 17th September but in modern times it takes place on those days only with a gap in the middle, with the 24th known as First Lee and the 17th as Latter Lee. If either date happens to fall on a Sunday, the fair moves to the next day, the Monday, instead. Organised by the travelling community, you can expect to see romany caravans and lost of horses & ponies and maybe a few donkeys,as well as other related trade stalls and plenty of stands selling household items, clothing and food & drink.
Helpful Hints
In 2023 it was held on Thursday 24th August and Monday 18th September (as the 17th fell on a Sunday in 2023) in the usual location- location after 2023 is yet to be confirmed as the fields used until now may be unavailable in future due to housing development.
It’s on a grassy area which can get churned up so wear appropriate footwear. Watch out for speeding equines being put through their paces!
On-site stewarded field parking was £3 in 2018.
It was a tricky event to find current information for as it had no associated website but now there’s a Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/LeeGapHorseFair/
The date is very well established and local news sites regularly report on it. For more info click here: https://www.examiner.co.uk/news/yorkshire-news/lee-gap-horse-fair-thousand-13442080
good fari city It aint on longer
Has the September date been cancelled
Hi Tracey,
It’s cancelled but I read that an alternative nearby is being held at the South Leeds Golf Club which isn’t far away from the usual site (it’s on Gipsy Lane at Beeston LS11 just a few miles up the road from the usual field) but I’m not certain of all the details.Sorry I can’t be more help!
Averil
How can I find out what’s dates this fair will be held any info would be great thanks
Hi Tracey,
Sorry, I should have mentioned that the place I read about the other venue was on the Romany Heritage Facebook page- might be worth putting up a message on there to check. Best of luck!
Averil
Can you please let me know if it is possibly going to get changed to the golf club or if its going to be on the usual field ,as I am coming from Gatenby nr. Leeming airfield in North Yorkshire , and until this thing came about i have never missed it
Hi Karen,
Here at calendar customs we’re not connected to the organisation of the fair at all and I haven’t got any contacts for it so I rely on finding out either from the press or updates I find around the internet so I’m sorry I can’t be more help, but I habven’t found anything out for this year yet. There’s a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LeeGapHorseFair/ so it might be worth you messaging them to ask. I’ll add the link to my page for the Fair as well, and hopefully they’ll update a bit nearer the time. Fingers crossed!
Averil