After a year's absence caused by the Foot & Mouth outbreak, it is a pleasure to welcome you to the Victorian Fair and to our market town of Kirkby Lonsdale.  If the pace of modern day life is wearing you down then a visit to Kirkby Lonsdale is the answer.  Every year the residents of Kirkby Lonsdale take a step back to Victorian times to see the splendour of an age gone by.

On average, the two-day Victorian Fair attracts in excess of 20,000 people and there is something for everyone.  Come and enjoy the  old-fashioned and varied entertainments taking place throughout the town over the weekend.

There will be many varied acts including The Brass Band, Jugglers, Harmony Singers, Punch & Judy Shows, Fire Eaters, Stilt Walkers, Comedy Shows with Dancing and music performing at all times.  

There are demonstrations by Master Thatcher, Coracle Maker and craft displays in the Methodist and St. Mary's Churches.  The fire station will be open both days to train young & old would-be fire-fighters.

Why not come to the fair in Victorian dress and join in the parade and competitions.  They are open to all and you can enter on the day.  Competitions are staged for the best fancy-dress costumes in various categories including the crowning of the Victorian Princess.  There will also be a farriers competition on Sunday with up to 16 farriers & horses sponsored by The Londonderry Forge Supplies and a Raffle Prize Draw both days.  

The main streets will be transformed as the shopkeepers dress their windows and decorate stalls outside in true Victorian style, and with the town centre being closed off to vehicles, you can browse through the streets at your leisure.

With the expected rush of visitors, ample car and coach parking is made available within easy walking distance of the town centre.  Kind donations would help, please.

Whilst we are again able to offer free parking for visitors, we hope you will fully understand and support our decision to ask for a nominal entry fee, in order that we can contribute this to charities and organisations in the area.

Many of you we are sure have visited Kirkby Lonsdale before, and probably the Victorian Fair too, so no doubt you will be familiar with 'THE PEELERS'.  If you are not and this is your first visit, let us explain what is going on.  As you wander around the town, you will notice that some men are dressed up as 'Victorian Policemen' - They are 'THE PEELERS'.  You will see that they approach people who are not dressed in Victorian costume and in exchange for 20p give them a 'fine' sheet.  This is done in a very light hearted fashion - so, if they stop you - please remember that the money you give goes to helping our St. Mary's Church - Thank you.  
 

In 2000, £8,000 was distributed between the organisations who each received £1000.  Over the last 10 years £56,000 has been distributed.  In addition to the above, additional funds were raised during the Victorian Fair weekend by other organisations such as Churches, Mencap, Animal Care, to mention just a few.  The share received by the Victorian Fair is used to re-invest in future fairs.

The 2000 Fair cost £16,000 to put on.  Every fair takes eight months of planning, and the members of the Victorian Fair Committee expect every year's event to get better and better.
 

The Victorian Fair is an opportunity to put Kirkby Lonsdale deservedly on the tourists map and bring trade and interest to the town, but more than that, the aim is to make this year's Fair an event for all the community, by the community.  No matter how long or short your stay, we regard you as part of our community and hope you will be able to experience and enjoy the charm and character of Kirkby Lonsdale and hopefully visit again and again.  Whether you are a first time visitor, one of our many regular Victorian Fair visitors, here for the day or spending the weekend with us, we hope and feel sure that you will be made to feel welcome.
 

A Victorian Fair programme is available for £1 from the local newsagents, and many stores around the town.

Devil's Bridge

Spanning the River Lune this three-arch medieval bridge is probably 12th or 13th Century - now a scheduled ancient monument.

Ruskin's View

Painted by Turner and inspired John Ruskin to write "I do not know in all my own country, still less in France or Italy, a place more naturally divine."

St. Mary's Church

Present Church was built between 1093 and 1130.  It has fine Norman archways and columns.