Travellers descend on Appleby as hundreds of caravans pictured for major horse festival

Travellers descend on Appleby as hundreds of caravans pictured for major horse festival
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Aden-Jay Wood

By Aden-Jay Wood


Published: 10/06/2022

- 15:03

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:04

Around 30,00 people are expected to visit the town this weekend for the four-day event

Travellers have descended on the town of Appleby as hundreds of caravans are pictured at the annual horse festival.

Around 30,000 people are expected to visit the town in northern England this weekend for the four-day event.


A total of 10,000 of those will be members of the gypsy, Roma and traveller community.

A woman rides her horse in the River Eden, on Day 2 of the Appleby Horse Fair, the annual gathering of gypsies and travellers. Picture date: Friday June 10, 2022. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
Horses have been seen across Appleby
Owen Humphreys

The travellers site at the Appleby Horse Fair, the annual gathering of gypsies and travellers in Appleby, Cumbria. Picture date: Thursday June 9, 2022. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
An aerial view of caravans already arrived in Appleby
Owen Humphreys

The fair, which takes place in June every year, was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, while the 2021 event was postponed until August.

Footage from the area shows hundreds of caravans that have already arrived into the town.

While other pictures from the early stages of the festival show people washing their horses as well as riding horse-drawn carts through the town's streets.

At least 11 pubs in the area have opted to close for the week while the event takes place.

People attend the Horse Fair in Appleby, Cumbria, the annual gathering of gypsies and travellers. Picture date: Thursday June 9, 2022. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on the town this weekend
Owen Humphreys

Travellers on Day 2 of the Appleby Horse Fair, the annual gathering of gypsies and travellers. Picture date: Friday June 10, 2022. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
Horse-drawn carts have also been rode through the streets
Owen Humphreys

Cumbria Police has called on motorists to drive with caution through the town, urging people to report any concerns.

The force say they have already made arrests for theft and drug driving.

While they were called to an incident where a horse died and three people were injured.

Appleby Primary School has decided to close today as a result of the event.

On the closure, Cumbria County Council said: “The closure is due to the health and safety of pupils travelling to and from school during Appleby New Fair.”

The RSPCA has called on fair visitors not to buy or sell any puppies.

RSPCA Chief Inspector Rob Melloy said: “I can't emphasise enough to Appleby visitors that buying a puppy from the fair is really not a good idea.

“Last year we saw a lot of puppies being sold and some were so sick they had to be put to sleep by a vet. It is so tragic, but if people continue to buy them at the fair, breeders will continue to bring them each year.”

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