HEREFORD'S annual May Fair is back in the city centre this week for the first time in three years due to Covid.

And that means the city's streets will be full of all the sights and smells of the fair and thrilling rides.

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There will be some road closures though, with the city set to be busy as people flock to the first May Fair since 2019, with the events in the past two years cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Here's what you need to know about the May Fair.

What days and times is the May Fair open?

A ceremonial proclamation of the historic St Ethelbert's May Fair (May Fair) officially opens the fair, offering 12-and-a-half bushels of wheat by the Mayor to the Lord Bishop as payment for allowing the fair to proceed.

The Hereford May Fair takes place on the first Tuesday to Thursday following the first Monday in May.

Opening times:

  • Tuesday 3.45pm to 11pm
  • Wednesday 12 noon to 11pm
  • Thursday 12 noon to 11pm

These are the times between which attractions are allowed to operate. Not all rides will necessarily be open at all times.

Entry is free, but all rides will be priced individually

Which roads will be closed?

To ensure the smooth running of the festival, some of the city streets will be closed during the period of the fair.

The roads closed to traffic are:

  • Broad Street from its junction with West Street/East Street to its junction with King Street.
  • King Street from its junction with Broad Street to its junction with St. Nicholas Street/Bridge Street.
  • Bridge Street from its junction with St. Nicholas Street to its junction with Gwynne Street
  • St Owen Street From its junction with St. Peters Square to its junction with St. Ethelbert Street.
  • St. Nicholas Street from its junction with Bridge Street/King Street to its junction with Berrington Street
  • High Town
  • Commercial Street
  • St Peters Street

Some parking, loading and unloading areas will also be closed in Union Street and in the streets mentioned above. 

In addition, Widemarsh Street (from its junction with Blueschool/Newmarket Street) and High Street will be closed to traffic from 4.30 pm to 11pm. This will make High Street a safer pedestrian area for fairgoers.

All of these streets will be accessible to emergency vehicles.

Advance warning signs will be on all routes leading towards the city centre advising of the closures.

Diversion routes will not be signposted as, with so many possible permutations, such signing would be too confusing for motorists, especially visitors to the city.

All of the other city centre roads will operate as near normal as possible.

Meanwhile, the southern end of Berrington Street will be two-way between St Nicholas Street and Little Berrington Street and motorists are asked to take extra care if using this route. All of Gwynne Street will be two-way.

There may also be additional congestion for traffic using St Martins Street for access onto the A49 during the period of the fair.

Herefordshire Council urges drivers to be patient and considerate on the roads during the period of the fair.

What is the history of the May Fair?

In 2021, Hereford celebrated the 900th anniversary of its May Fair charter.

Events and activities took place during the year to mark this unique milestone and celebrate the vibrancy of the fair, but the fair itself did not take place 

The charter for a fair to be held on the feast of St Ethelbert and two days following was granted to the Bishop of Hereford in 1121 as a way of raising money for the Cathedral.

During the fair, the Bishop had rights of control over all trade and those coming into the city which caused many disagreements between the city officials and the bishop over the centuries.

In 1838, control of the fair and all its rights passed to the city council and the duration was reduced to two days – at that time it was one of either annual fairs, only the May Fair now survives.

As well as the pleasure fair that it is known as today, the fair also sold livestock, poultry, butter and other produce in the early nineteenth century.

Over the last 150 years, many fascinating photographs of the fair have been taken and collected.