Horse Fair Exhibition

Horncastle's Great August Horse Fair was once claimed to be the largest horse fair in the world. Buyers came from across Europe and as even as far as Russia and America.

To mark the 75th anniversary of the final Fair in 1948, Horncastle History & Heritage Society are holding a special exhibition at the Joseph Banks Centre.

The exhibition charts the story of the Fair from its ancient origins to its heyday in the early 19th century, and its eventual decline in the face first steam engines and then motor cars and tractors.  It features some of the poetry and song that the Fair inspired, as well as photos and engravings from the Society’s Town Archive.

You can also look out for curious contraptions, traditional tools, and other horse gear loaned specially from the Museum of The Horse at Tuxford.

There’s also an interactive quiz to test your horsey knowledge, and a game for children. During the summer school holidays there’s also the Horse Fair trail to explore with over 40 wooden horses to find in shop windows across town all decorated by creative local people, businesses and organisations.

Open 10am-4pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.