Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Wickham Horse Fair in Full Swing as 800-Year Tradition Continues

The annual gathering sees hundreds of travellers, horse trading, and festivities, with road closures and environmental concerns persisting into Wednesday morning.

Image
Image

Overview

  • The 800-year-old Wickham Horse Fair, rooted in a charter from King Henry III in 1269, has drawn hundreds of travellers and their horses to the Hampshire village.
  • Road closures, including Fareham Road and The Square, have halted traffic and shuttered shops and pubs, with roads set to reopen by 10 a.m. Wednesday.
  • Dozens of horses and ponies are being traded, raced, and paraded through the streets, alongside stalls, food vans, and a funfair attracting crowds.
  • Local authorities report makeshift camps in surrounding villages, with police intervening to address unauthorized setups like those at Greta Park in Hedge End.
  • Overflowing bins and litter accumulation have raised environmental concerns, echoing past criticisms from local residents about the fair's impact.