| Where: | Masham, North Yorkshire- town centre including Town Hall, The Square,St Mary's church and field beside churchyard, Procession from Maple Creek to The Square |
| When: | Weekend in late September |
| Time: | 10 am - 4pm both days |
The annual Sheep Fair, held each September at Masham in the Yorkshire Dales, celebrates all things ovine, from competitions for the best animals in show to sheepy cupcakes and woolly rugs. Historically, Masham hosted some of the biggest sheep sales in England in its spacious Market Square and the modern festival commemorates the past while providing a grand modern Yorkshire day out with funds raised donated to local charities. There are many classes for different breeds and ages of rams, ewes, shearlings and lambs, which are judged in the Square, and the animals are on show in pens throughout the day, many proudly displaying their rosettes. There are sheep races at intervals in a special run just behind the Church with both flat racing and over-the sticks steeplechases, a Flower Festival inside the church itself, and a mini funfair and plenty of trade stalls nearby. Other entertainments include hand bell ringing, a pipe band, and (for the first time when we visited) Ferret Racing. The Wool Event in the Town Hall has exhibitors selling their wool related produce, with demonstrations at intervals through both days, and at the School the Craven and Bradford Guilds show spinning and weaving techniques. Bishop Blaise, as the patron Saint of Woolcombers (from his grisly martyrdom under torture with, yes, you guessed, metal wool combs) processes to the Square on horseback, accompanied by a brass band. The fair runs over both days of the weekend, with much the same schedule for both Saturday and Sunday.
Helpful Hints
In 2027, the fair should be held on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September.
Programmes are on sale in the Market Square (£2 in 2026) and admission to the Square is free, with modest £1 charges for entry to the Church and Town Hall. Parking, signposted off The Avenue, is plentiful and costs £10 per vehicle- access to the Market Square is up a long flight of steps. Blue Badge holders may park near the church (follow the instructions on the event website for more info).
Typically, the Sheep Racing takes place around noon and during the afternoon, with the Procession at 1.45- the programme will have all the relevant timings and locations.
Click here for the event website: https://www.mashamsheepfair.com
and here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mashamsheepfair
