Widecombe Fair

Where:	Widecombe, Devon on the Village Green and Fair Field
When:	Second Tuesday in September
Time:	From 9 am onwards all day

The well known folk song about Widecombe Fair features Uncle Tom Cobley and his pals who borrow a grey mare and ride her to the fair (with unfortunate consequences for their mount), and at today’s event you can expect to see them acting out their part complete with horse. The emphasis is on traditional Dartmoor life so there is plenty of livestock on show, demonstrations of rural crafts and skills, vintage vehicles and competitions like Tug-of-War and terrier racing. There are many stalls with a countryside theme, plenty of local cider and other produce, and music all day long. There’s also a novelty fell race, children’s sports, Morris dancing and plenty to keep visitors busy for the day including a performance by the Dartmoor Hill Pony Display Team.

Helpful Hints

It’s held on the second Tuesday in September each year. In 2026 it should be on Tuesday September 8th. Programmes are available on the day and discounted early bird tickets may be purchased in advance online (£10 in 2025, or £12 on the gate, both with free parking).

Look out for the village sign with Uncle Tom and co in relief, his chair inside the gift shop, and wild Dartmoor ponies near the designated car parks.

There are road closures around the village on the day with a park and ride service from marshalled car-parks on the edge of the village (see website link for details). The buses are also used for school transport so don’t be alarmed if there’s a long queue before some of them return from dropping children off in the morning. The roads from the East side are much easier to negotiate by car than those from the North (voice of experience!).

Phone reception isn’t great in the village and some of the stallholders were experiencing difficulties with card payments so take some cash with you.

Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064659793345

Click here for the event website: https://www.widecombefair.com