Just a short drive from Rutland, the Stamford Mid-Lent Fair is back in the Georgian market town this week.

Stamford Mid-Lent Fair opened last night, Monday 11 March, and will be taking place in Stamford Town and at the Lower Recreation Ground until 16 March 2024.

Held in mid-Lent, the fair is now the largest street fair in Lincolnshire and among the largest in the country. Although it now centres around many modern commodities, such as fairground rides, games, street food, and sweets, the fair dates back to 942AD.

In the late 1100's, King John granted charter for the Stamford and Grantham mid-Lent fairs, ensuring that they would remain a celebrate annual occurrence for over 900 years.

It is even mentioned in Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 2 (Act 3, Scene 2) when Shadow asks: How a good yoke of bullocks at Stamford fair?

Have you been to Stamford Mid-Lent Fair? Image credit: Nub News.

The fair will be open from 5pm until 9pm during the week, and from 2pm until 9pm on Saturday.

Roads and car parks in Stamford will be closed until 17 March:

• Cattlemarket car park (top area only)
• Bath Row and Gooches Court car parks
• Castle Dyke
• Red Lion Square
• Castle Street; Sheepmarket
• Broad Street
• Red Lion Street
• Crown Street
• Star Lane
• Newgate Lane

Following a stint in Stamford, the fair will head on to Grantham, where it will be until 21 March.