A lively evening scene at Marlborough Mop Fair, with brightly lit funfair rides against a cloudy twilight sky. In the foreground, the illuminated sign for the "Crazy Cage" ride glows with multicoloured lights, while the ride itself spins dramatically. Other fairground rides, colourful lights, and crowds of people enjoying the event fill the background along the High Street, with traditional brick buildings lining the scene.

All the fun of the Mop Fairs!

Posted on by Alan

October brings the Mop and Statute Fairs

Once the hiring markets of rural England, now vibrant autumn gatherings of rides, stalls and tradition. From Abingdon to Marlborough, we’ve gathered 2025’s dates and stories so you can enjoy these living links to the harvest past.

People swing high in the air on a large red and white fairground ride with suspended seats, set against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The chairs spin outwards on long chains, giving a sense of motion and excitement.
Fairground ride

Evesham Mop Fair

📅 2 – 4 Oct 2025
🎡 Historic fair dating to 1540. Now three days of rides and street stalls filling Bridge Street and High Street.
🚗 Central car parks fill quickly; Abbey Park car park offers an easy walk.

Abingdon Michaelmas Fair

📅 6 – 7 Oct 2025
🎡 Said to be Europe’s longest street fair. Originated as a hiring event, now an enormous funfair through the town centre.
🚗 Park at Rye Farm or use the park-and-ride to avoid congestion.

Tewkesbury Mop Fair

📅 9 – 10 Oct 2025
🎡 Dating from the 12th century, once a great labour market for Gloucestershire. Today, High Street becomes a blaze of lights and rides.
🚗 Best parking at Gloucester Road or Oldbury Road.

Stratford-upon-Avon Mop

📅 11 – 12 Oct 2025
🎡 Granted a royal charter in 1544. The fair still begins with a ceremonial “reading of the charter” before modern rides open.
🚗 Riverside car parks are convenient; expect closures in Bridge Street.

Banbury Michaelmas Fair

📅 15 – 18 Oct 2025
🎡 Centuries-old autumn fair, now a mix of amusements and street food.
🚗 Car parks at Spiceball Park and Castle Quay shopping centre.

Warwick Mop & Runaway Mop

📅 17 – 18 Oct (Mop) & 24 – 25 Oct (Runaway Mop)
🎡 The Mop was where contracts were signed; the Runaway Mop a week later allowed changes. Still held on Market Place with rides, games, and food.
🚗 Car parks at Priory Road or Barrack Street.

Marlborough Mop Fair

📅 5 Oct 2025 (Little Mop) & 18 Oct 2025 (Big Mop)
🎡 Local tradition dates to 1204. High Street fills with stalls and rides — one of Wiltshire’s largest street fairs. Usually on consecutive weekends around Michaelmas, 11th October, but the 11th is a Saturday this year……
🚗 Parking at George Lane or College Fields; town centre roads close early.

Southam Mop Fair

📅 17 Oct 2025
🎡 Dates back to the 13th century; still a popular autumn fair with rides through the town centre.
🚗 Park at Wood Street or Pendicke Street.

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