Thousands of travellers descend on pretty Hampshire village for 750-year-old horse fair
Thousands of travelers flock to pretty Hampshire village as roads are closed for a traditional horse fair dating back 750 years
- Travelers gathered in Wickham, Hampshire, on Saturday for the Wickham Horse Fair
- Police said Wickham town center would be closed to traffic this weekend
Thousands of travelers have gathered in an idyllic rural village for a traditional horse fair that dates back hundreds of years.
Members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveler communities gathered in Wickham, Hampshire, for the annual Wickham Horse Fair, dating back 754 years to 1269.
It comes as police warned motorists that central Wickham would be closed to traffic and advised businesses to close for the weekend.
Police said additional officers had been deployed to monitor the event and a special phone number had been set up for residents.
The gathering, according to revelers, is an opportunity to sell and trade horses, as well as to meet family and friends.
Fairgrounds and civic vans also settled to monetize the historic day celebrated ‘every year’ since its foundation in the 13th century.
Thousands of travelers have gathered in an idyllic rural village for a traditional horse fair that dates back hundreds of years
Members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveler communities gathered in Wickham, Hampshire, for the annual Wickham Horse Fair, dating back 754 years to 1269
It comes as police warned motorists that central Wickham would be closed to traffic and advised businesses to close for the weekend
Police said additional officers had been deployed to monitor the event and a special phone number had been set up for residents
The gathering, according to revelers, is an opportunity to sell and trade horses, as well as to meet family and friends
Pictured: A man drives a car attached to a horse in Wickham, Hampshire, on Saturday
Pictured: A well-dressed couple walks the steps of the Wickham Horse Fair on Saturday
Fairgrounds and civic vans also settled to monetize the historic day celebrated ‘every year’ since its foundation in the 13th century
Pictured: Two teenage boys ride on horseback through a fenced area as people watch at Saturday’s Wickham Horse Fair
Pictured: A van selling saddles and other horse-related products at the Saturday fair
Pictured: Another horse-related stall in Wickham, Hampshire, on Saturday afternoon
Pictured: A man with a long white beard leans on the railing at the Wickham Horse Fair on Saturday
Pictured: A man stares at the camera while on his phone on a sunny day in Wickham on Saturday
Pictured: An elderly man watches the Wickham Horse Fair on Saturday afternoon