BY ALLISON LEE
The famous annual Masham Sheep Fair takes place in Masham Market Square and around the town on the last weekend of September. In 2026, it was held on 26 and 27 September, and I went along to see what it was all about.
The weather was a perfect blend of sunshine and a gentle breeze, with not a drop of rain in sight – at least not on the Saturday I attended – making it comfortable for both humans and animals. After seeing how stressed some animals had been at shows during the hot summer months, it was a welcome relief to see them stress-free in such ideal conditions. Despite the measures taken, hot weather is relentless and not ideal for these types of fairs.
The fair was well organised, with ample parking, and it was great to see that proceeds from parking fees (£10) and programme sales (£2) were donated to a very worthwhile cause, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, along with contributions to local charities such as Masham Young Farmers, Masham Sports Association and Masham School. Masham Sheep Fair is run by volunteers and has raised money for charity for over forty years. The fair itself is completely free, and no tickets are needed to attend – another first for me, as every show I have attended throughout the year has required an admission fee.
Susan Cunliffe-Lister and a group of willing volunteers started the Sheep Fair as a one-off event to raise money for farmers in Africa – Sheep Aid. However, after it raised almost £8,000 nearly forty years ago, they decided to make it an annual event. Since then, it has raised around £265,000 for Yorkshire charities.
Masham itself is a beautiful place to visit, with or without the Sheep Fair. It is a historic market town in North Yorkshire, boasting one of the largest and finest market squares in England, and is famous for sheep sales, where, in the past, as many as 70,000 sheep were sold each year. The Sheep Fair commemorates those times, when the small town is transformed with a brass band, Morris dancing, sheep racing, sheepdog demonstrations, children’s entertainment, market stalls, and the main event: the judging of the sheep. The town’s two breweries also open their doors for tours and, of course, provide some fine ale to try.
Masham is worth visiting year-round for its charter market, held since 1250 on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In addition to its famous Sheep Fair, the town is home to two breweries: Theakston Brewery, creators of Old Peculier, and Black Sheep Brewery.
It was a truly lovely afternoon, and after lunch and a few drinks in the sunshine, I was absolutely sold and will certainly be returning soon.
Allison Lee is a smallholder from North Yorkshire who has written for the Yorkshire Times and other publications. Her website can be accessed here.