Routes

Gypsies and Travellers attending this year’s Fair are being asked not to arrive too soon before the Fair starts on Thursday 6 June.

Gypsies and Travellers attending this year’s Fair are being asked not to arrive too soon before the Fair starts on Thursday 6 June 2024. The overriding message is please do not come early to the Fair as places to stay are limited and are needed by those who have no vehicular transport. For those where a staged journey to and from the fair is essential, specifically the horse drawn bow tops, the information on this website should help you to plan your journey and provides information on some of the more popular temporary stopping places, identifies any restrictions that are in place and where appropriate provides information on grazing available for horses.

Road traffic restrictions have been implemented in a small number of areas as a direct result of public feedback from previous Fairs. The restrictions only apply to areas where there were problems - they do not apply to all verges or temporary stopping places. There has been no attempt to stop people coming to Appleby Fair, the public agencies who co-ordinate the Fair are asking people to work together to make the Fair easier to manage.

The key facts about the road traffic restrictions are:

They do not restrict horses or horse drawn caravans
They only apply to verge side areas where there were significant problems in previous years
They apply to key areas only and not all verges and temporary stopping places
They apply to motor vehicles and caravans only

Plan your journey to Appleby and please respect the temporary stopping places provided. Please ensure you bag up your litter and place it by the roadside for collection.

Traffic Regulation Orders in South Lakeland will be in place from the beginning of May.

Highways and Roads update for Appleby Horse Fair

During the Horse Fair - Appleby Town Centre

A road closure will be in place on the Sands Road in Appleby town centre from 9.30am-6pm on Friday 7, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 June.

Flashing Lane - Long Marton Road leading onto Dufton

Westmorland & Furness Council is continuing to work to improve public safety at the Flashing Lane, a part of Long Martin Road which is closed during the Fair (from 9.30am-6pm on Friday 7, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 June) to prevent the likelihood of conflict between horses and other traffic while the trotting (‘flashing’) of horses takes place.

The public are encouraged not to enter the Flashing Lane, especially the carriageway. However, for those who choose to do so, barriers are in place on the adjacent verge to provide some protection from flashing horses. Anyone who enters the Flashing Lane does so at their own risk and are advised to take extra care for their own safety and that of others.

Other Roads in and Around Appleby

Warning signs have been placed on all major routes approaching Appleby. Highways England variable message signs will display Horse Fair related warning messages in the run to the Fair to advise motorists to be aware of more horse drawn vehicles in the area.

An advisory 40mph speed restriction will be implemented on the A685 prior to the Bank Holiday in order to address road safety concerns that arise from the encampment that takes place along this road between Brough and Kirkby Stephen.

The ongoing road marking maintenance works in the Appleby area will be completed before the Bank Holiday Weekend.

Public Transport service to Appleby Fair

You can travel to Appleby Horse Fair by public transport. The following services will be available:

Settle Carlisle Railway Line

The Settle Carlisle Railway line is the best way to get to Appleby Horse Fair by public transport.

For Northbound passengers you can access the line from Leeds, Skipton etc. The closest station to Appleby along the line from the South is Kirkby Stephen.

For Southbound passengers you can access the service form Carlisle, Armathwaite, Lazonby and Langwathby.

For up to date information visit the Settle Carlisle Railway website www.settle-carlisle.co.uk

Bus services

The bus service to Appleby is limited. For more information visit Westmorland & Furness Council's website: Bus services | Westmorland and Furness Council