What's On
Events and Attractions
The full line-up of events and exhibits for Widecombe Fair 2025 is in the final stages of being confirmed, so please watch this space for updates! There will be a familiar line-up of old favourites together with a selection of new items that we’re very excited to introduce. A full day of events including sheep, horse and cattle judging, the fearful Uncle Tom Cobley race and finally the epic Tug-o’-War tournament will keep you entertained from dawn til dusk. As always at the Fair, Uncle Tom Cobley on his grey mare and his merry entourage dressed in their usual rag-and-bone tweeds will be a common sight.
Spike Milton’s Lumberjack Show will once again grace us with their presence this year, demonstrating their sawmill skills and introducing visitors to the world of Timbersports, from competitive wood chopping to the big noisy ‘hot saw’.
Also returning this year will be The Wessex Warbow Society demonstrating shooting, bow making, fletching, and arrow smithing, all as it was done in the Middle Ages.
New for this year will be the unmissable antics of Dangerous Steve, a unique combination of high-octane stunts, circus skills and humour to delight young and old in equal measure! Look out for Steve tearing up the main ring in the afternoon. You won’t want to miss it!
We’ll once again welcome The Dartmoor Hill Pony Display Team, Canine Capers Dog Agility Display and the ever-popular Terrier Racing to entertain us at the Fair! Look out for the Bale Tossing competition followed by the Tug-O'-War at the end of the day to round things off.
Spike Milton’s Timbersports Team
Dangerous Steve
Music
The ever-popular ‘Folk at the Fair’ will be returning with great local artists playing all day in the main beer tent, with additional bands playing in the garden at the Rugglestone Inn as well as on the Village Green. The folk musicians will continue at The Old Inn, with the main beer tent enjoying more live music and a disco late into the night - more info coming soon!
Food and drink
There’s always plenty to eat, with plenty of variety, at the Fair. In the village there’s The Rugglestone, The Old Inn, and The Cafe on the Green serving up delicious fare, and in the field there’s a great range of local food producers from all over Devon, offering everything from hog roast to Thai cuisine.
rural pursuits & agriculture
With its roots set firmly in the agricultural traditions of Dartmoor, Widecombe Fair remains to this day true to its origins.
From its beginnings as a popular Fair, dealing mainly in local breeds of cattle, sheep, ponies and the odd intransigent spouse, it’s become over the years a showcase for the cream of locally-bred Dartmoor stock, as well as being the premier event of the moorland social calendar.
A great range of interesting and amusing rural pastimes are available to participate in, or just witness, such as the inimitable Dartmoor Border Morris team, Bale-Tossing and the famous Uncle Tom Cobley Downhill Race (not for the faint-hearted!).
arts & crafts
We’ve always been keen to promote local craftsmen and women at the Fair, both those pursuing a more traditional line, as well as those more contemporary, from photographers, jewellers and potters, those working with leather, wool, wood, slate and so on, through to thatchers, bakers and wheelwrights. Take a look around the huge variety of craft stalls for something to take home, or perhaps get some early Christmas shopping done!
