Widecombe Fair

A farming fair that has become a social occasion

The organisers trace Widecombe back to a rural market for sheep, cattle and ponies; today it's a showcase for farming and local life. They're clear that cattle are no longer bought and sold here. That's worth knowing before you go: this is a day of showing, meeting, competing and browsing, not a working livestock auction. Volunteers run it to bring people together and raise money for local causes. Look beyond any single ring when planning, and leave time for the smaller stands and the people happy to explain what they do. You don't need to judge a pony or recognise every piece of machinery to enjoy the farming side of things. A friendly question to an exhibitor, at a quiet moment, will usually get you further than a dash around the whole field collecting photos.

Check which exhibits and competitions are actually running

The competitors page records a big change in 2026: sheep and cattle classes were cancelled because of the spread of bluetongue, while the horse and pony classes went ahead. So a general description of the fair doesn't mean every kind of animal will be there. Check the next schedule and any late notices, especially as animal-health restrictions can affect exhibitors. The wider programme has included pony displays, terrier racing, vintage machinery, town criers, music and rural games. Pick the two or three things your group cares about most, then use the programme to plan how to catch them. Entering an exhibit or competition is separate from buying a visitor ticket, and each schedule sets out its own requirements. If you're bringing a dog or hoping to take part, read the instructions for that particular activity, as entries don't all work the same way. A shorter class list needn't take the shine off the fair as a whole.

The Uncle Tom Cobley race

The fair's most famous name gets a race of its own. The organisers list the Uncle Tom Cobley race among the day's attractions, finishing in the Main Ring, and it's one of the moments most visitors want to see. It's a proper run off the Dartmoor hillside, not a gentle village jog, so it's more fun to watch than to try on a whim.

If you fancy entering, check the current competitor information for the start, how to enter and any fee before the day — arrangements can change from year to year, and you'll need sturdy footwear and decent fitness. Otherwise, bag a spot on the Main Ring rail in good time, as the finish draws a crowd. Save exploring open moorland for a separate, properly planned Dartmoor walk.

Use the fair-day road system, not the shortest route

Widecombe's parking page describes a marshalled one-way system and signposted park-and-ride sites, with most traffic sent towards Holwell. The visitor ticket includes parking and the shuttle, though check the current ticket terms. There's also a marked footpath downhill into the village from Holwell, with the shuttle as an option for the climb back. Blue Badge holders get separate advice, and coach operators are asked to book parking ahead. On fair day, the event map beats any road map, so download the latest instructions before you leave and allow time for the transfer from the car park. Coming by rail? Plan the onward leg from Newton Abbot carefully: an old Haytor Hoppa timetable shows it as a Saturday service, and the fair is on a Tuesday. A route that works for weekend sightseeing won't necessarily get you to this event.

Tickets, music and time to browse

The visitor information promotes a programme with the fair map and activity timetable — handy, as things happen both in the village and on the field. Music is part of the day, and the programme page lists craft stalls and food from local producers. Leave yourself a stretch with nothing booked, so you can browse, chat to makers or listen to a tune without constantly checking what's next in the ring. The ticket page confirms paid adult admission in 2026 and free entry for under-sixteens, but check prices and age rules for the next fair. The payment advice across the pages suggests carrying a card and some cash, rather than relying on one or the other at every stall. Save your ticket to your phone before you arrive; it's much easier than digging through your inbox at the gate. If you plan to stay into the evening, check how that fits with the last shuttle and your journey home.

Two additional Dartmoor stops worth planning separately

The Church House in Widecombe and the National Park Visitor Centre at Haytor make two good additions to a Dartmoor stay. The National Trust describes the Church House as a sixteenth-century building leased to the village as a community hall, open to visit on selected market dates. Next door, Sexton's Cottage holds an independently run gallery of work by local makers. Check access first — being in the village doesn't mean the hall is open. At Haytor, the visitor centre is the place to start finding out about the rocks, old quarries and the Granite Tramway, and its staff and visitor information can help you pick a sensible outing instead of heading onto the moor without a route. Both have their own opening arrangements and aren't guaranteed fair-day extras. As the fair fills a whole day on its own, another morning gives you a proper choice between a historic village building and time out in the wider landscape.

Where it is

Map pin shows the approximate area where the event happens. Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

Go straight to the source

Independent research. The organiser’s own information always wins — we have not visited or tested the journeys.

• Organiser and 2026 retrospective ↗
• About the fair ↗
• Competition changes and 2026 results ↗
• Recent attractions ↗
• Novelty race ↗
• Parking and access ↗
• Visitor programme ↗
• Ticket information ↗
• Historic operator timetable: Saturday only ↗
• Church House ↗
• Haytor Visitor Centre ↗