Buckham Fair returns

Buckham Fair is due back near Beaminster on Sunday, August 2, 2026, ending a gap of several years for one of west Dorset’s best-known summer charity events. (bridportnews.co.uk) The one-day fair was founded by Martin Clunes and Philippa Clunes and is staged at Buckham Down, off Stinford Lane near Beaminster, with listings showing hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (bridportnews.co.uk) (westbay.co.uk) Organisers say advance tickets are already on sale at a 20 percent discount, and the 2026 program includes dog shows, local trade stalls, food stands, a beer tent, main-ring displays, a fun fair and heavy horse attractions. (buckhamfair.com) The 2026 fundraising target is Dorset County Hospital’s Emergency and Critical Care Appeal, shifting the fair’s charity focus to a hospital project with a local National Health Service connection. (bridportnews.co.uk 1) (bridportnews.co.uk 2) That return follows a long pause after the fair’s last run in 2019, with coverage saying organisers held off to let the land and the community recover before bringing it back. (horseminute.com) (bridportnews.co.uk) A new feature for 2026 is a “Festival of the Heavy Horse,” with Shires, Clydesdales, Suffolks and Belgians scheduled for displays, demonstrations and close-up encounters. (bridportnews.co.uk) Organisers have also said Martin Clunes’ young Clydesdale, Patrick, is expected to appear, adding a named attraction to a fair built around livestock, rural skills and family entertainment. (bridportnews.co.uk) Buckham Fair’s own site describes it as a fundraiser with a beer tent, heavy horse village and artisan-style stalls, while local event guides continue to list it as an annual Beaminster fixture despite the break since 2019. (buckhamfair.co.uk) (resortdorset.com) For west Dorset, the next key date is now fixed: Buckham Fair is scheduled to reopen its gates on August 2, 2026, with proceeds tied to Dorset County Hospital. (bridportnews.co.uk) (buckhamfair.com)