Appleby Horse Fair on Saturday

[Egg Centric]

I intend with 3 others to go to Appleby Horse Fair on Saturday. We're staying in Bradford Friday night and unsure where we'll be Saturday night, can be quite flexible but it is likely to be the other side of Appleby (as we'll be visiting somewhere in Cockermouth on Sunday). But of course if we take the train we'd need to return to the car anyway.

Would it be advisable (ignoring the general advisability or not of going to the horse fair, of which there are very strong opinions either side) to take the train in, or is driving easier? If taking the train which station would you recommend? I am the only enthusiast and the other three are normies but even they might appreciate Ribblehead viaduct...

 

[yorksrob]

If you're going from Bradford, Appleby station will be the easiest. It's almost direct, with a change at Shipley.

And you get the trip over Ribblehead.

 

[xotGD]

Or change at Bingley or Keighley for a same platform connection.

 

[Ken H]

go by horse and cart. seems to be the default mode

 

[Egg Centric]

Thanks chaps, for clarity I know that Appleby is obviously the station to go *to* - but:

a. which station is best to set off from?
b. objectively, is it better or worse to drive in during the horse fair?

 

[yorksrob]

For setting off, Bradford Forster Square will be fine.

I couldn't help you with parking to be fair.

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

Why might it not be advisable to go to the horse fair?

 

[AlterEgo]

I wouldn’t be taking my car to Appleby horse fair. Train is your best bet.

 

[Ken H]

Why might it not be advisable to go to the horse fair?

The roads become nightmares. Lots of horse and carts holding everything up. And the roads are narrowed by them camping on the grass verge and encroaching on the road. Its a pain as far away as Settle.

 

[Djgr]

The roads become nightmares. Lots of horse and carts holding everything up. And the roads are narrowed by them camping on the grass verge and encroaching on the road. Its a pain as far away as Settle.

And there may be other issues

 

[greyman42]

I would just avoid the whole event.

 

[30907]

Thanks chaps, for clarity I know that Appleby is obviously the station to go *to* - but:

a. which station is best to set off from?
b. objectively, is it better or worse to drive in during the horse fair?

If you are definitely staying NW of Bradford on Saturday night, you might as well drive part way and park up.

I think I would try Crossflatts - you change at Keighley, where if you time it right there is suitable distraction on the KWVR.

Fuller list:
Shipley and Crossflatts both have decent sized free car parks. Steeton and Silsden gets busy IIRC even at weekends.

Keighley has a small car park which costs £1 and people seem to find street parking nearby.

Skipton car parks are all paying and not cheap, and the station one gets full - on-street parking is difficult. I presume Settle is the same.

Gargrave has a tiny car park beyond the station bridge (coming from the village centre). There is limited on-street parking at Hellifield.

PS You could splash out on the Staycation Express at 11.18 from Skipton, which would get you guaranteed seats - unlike joining the Leeds starters en route.

 

[xotGD]

If you are definitely staying NW of Bradford on Saturday night, you might as well drive part way and park up.

I think I would try Crossflatts - you change at Keighley, where if you time it right there is suitable distraction on the KWVR.

Fuller list:
Shipley and Crossflatts both have decent sized free car parks. Steeton and Silsden gets busy IIRC even at weekends.

Keighley has a small car park which costs £1 and people seem to find street parking nearby.

Skipton car parks are all paying and not cheap, and the station one gets full - on-street parking is difficult. I presume Settle is the same.

Gargrave has a tiny car park beyond the station bridge (coming from the village centre). There is limited on-street parking at Hellifield.

PS You could splash out on the Staycation Express at 11.18 from Skipton, which would get you guaranteed seats - unlike joining the Leeds starters en route.

You can get free on street parking in Settle. Away from the town centre, beyond the station.

 

[Ken H]

You can get free on street parking in Settle. Away from the town centre, beyond the station.

in Settle, I park in Kirkgate, by the fire station.

 

[Egg Centric]

If you are definitely staying NW of Bradford on Saturday night, you might as well drive part way and park up.

I think I would try Crossflatts - you change at Keighley, where if you time it right there is suitable distraction on the KWVR.

Fuller list:
Shipley and Crossflatts both have decent sized free car parks. Steeton and Silsden gets busy IIRC even at weekends.

Keighley has a small car park which costs £1 and people seem to find street parking nearby.

Skipton car parks are all paying and not cheap, and the station one gets full - on-street parking is difficult. I presume Settle is the same.

Gargrave has a tiny car park beyond the station bridge (coming from the village centre). There is limited on-street parking at Hellifield.

PS You could splash out on the Staycation Express at 11.18 from Skipton, which would get you guaranteed seats - unlike joining the Leeds starters en route.

Thanks for the comprehensive list - in the end we went from Hellifield - largely to avoid the change - and it worked perfectly.

And there may be other issues

I was expecting a general air of menace but it was a carnival type atmosphere. While there were some unsavoury things like rubbish everywhere (not any bins though so not sure what the council expect tbh), knock off cds and some puppy selling, it was all in good humour and I was really pleasantly surprised. Certainly doesn’t seem to be anything to be afraid of if you’re robust and have common sense.

Would also be great if you were a dirty old man, the amount of scantily clad young ladies did not disappoint!

 

[30907]

Thanks for the comprehensive list - in the end we went from Hellifield - largely to avoid the change - and it worked perfectly.

Was parking OK then?

 

[Egg Centric]

Was parking OK then?

Yup, plenty of room. Half the people going got on at Kirby Stephen!

 

[Hadders]

Yesterday’s 19:48 from Ribblehead has some ‘interesting’ clientele on board….

I was travelling to Bradford Forster Square, intending to change a Shipley. Made a quick decision that a change at Keighley instead would be a wise decision.

The knowing look on the guards face was a picture as we alighted at Keighley!