Bampton Charter Fair. Feather in the pony’s cap for Devon County. Amazing family day out…
Bampton Fair existed even before King Henry III granted it a Royal Charter in 1258 and it is always held on the last Thursday of October. It is one of the oldest surviving Charter Fairs in the country.
Middle Coombe Farm, our 400 acre farm & woodland venue, is offering 3 night mini-breaks for a small group of 4-8 guests or for one larger family group of between 12-16 guests from Thursday afternoon 29th October through to Sunday midday. The perfect Autumnal country house experience with 200 acres of private woodland to walk & explore. Middle Coombe Farm even has it’s own large hot tub (open all year long) to relax and bubble all those everyday stresses away.
Bampton, joyously, is just 10minutes drive from Middle Coombe Farm.
Allensdown Barn, 4 star accommodation, 4 guests = £420 (£35 per person per night for a minimum 3 night break)
Allensdown sleeps a maximum of 8 guests (for the additional 4 guests the price is £30 p.p.p.n). Allensdown barn has fabulous underfloor heating and a wood burner. Your group will have shared use of a large eco hot tub in the gardens.
Middle Coombe Farm grade II* listed thatched farmhouse -with
exclusive back courtyard complete with gas b.b.q. & huge working outdoor fireplace with large open fire in the drawing room & use of outdoor hot tub, 10 guests = £1,200 (£40 per person per night for a minimum 3 night break)
The farmhouse sleeps up to 16 guests. Each additional guest (over 12 in number) comes for £35 p.p.p.n.
Bampton Fair-For centuries, the fair mainly sold sheep and cattle and was the largest sheep fair in the South West of England. During the 1880’s to the 1980’s it evolved to become the famous Bampton Pony Fair trading in Exmoor ponies.
Today this traditional Devon fair continues to attract local producers of foods and livestock, crafts and traditional skills from Exmoor and its surrounding villages. The streets, church, pubs and venues of Bampton are filled to over flowing with around 100 stalls, entertainments including craft and music workshops, demonstrations and concerts, and funfair.
Probably the most significant addition to the fair in recent years was the return of the famous pony sales which had ended in 1985. Luttrell Farm hosted a collective sale of horses, ponies, fur & feathers, saddlery and tack alongside farm machinery, tools, furniture and collectibles. Sadly this will not be happening in 2014 because the market for pony sales has disappeared, and Lutrell Fram is no longer available for the auction. However, we will have Exmoor ponies for people to come and see.
In addition to the usual fun of the fair we have some amazing live music from steel bands and folk to flamenco. Folk singers and musicians congregate in all the Pubs with local musicians being supported with visitors from Brittany and Ireland and the music continues all weekend.
Contact Middle Coombe Farm with any questions or to get more information on the mini breaks this season.
See you soon.