Downton Cuckoo Fair
Saturday 3 May 2025
Fairs and Markets
The Downton Cuckoo Fair is one of the biggest village fairs in the county, welcoming over 300 craft and food stalls.
The annual Downton Cuckoo Fair has been running for over a quarter of a century in its current format and attracts up to 20,000 people to Downton, near Salisbury, for maypole, Morris dancing, and folk entertainment.
The Wiltshire Marque will be taking part in the fair – you’ll find us in the produce section! We’ll also be joined by a variety of Wiltshire Marque makers, with plenty of delicious food and drink on offer.
The event also features line dancing, street entertainment, music, the Downton Brass Band, and lots for kids to do.
Traditionally the arrival of the cuckoo was seen as the onset of good weather – the Downton tradition of “opening the gate” to let the cuckoo through is the basis of the fair.
The fair is free to attend, and parking is charged at £10 if travelling by car. Find out more at https://cuckoofair.co.uk/
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