Haslemere’s 800-year-old Charter Fair will return for the first time since 2022 this Bank Holiday Monday, May 6.

The historic fair, dating back to the early 13th century, will be held in the town centre from 11am to 5pm. Entry is free but donations are welcome.

Expect a variety of food, drinks, stalls and entertainment to keep you going throughout the day.

Local charities and crafts people will be showing off their best wares and some will be inside the Haslemere Education Museum too.

There will be a free Courtesy Bus which will take passengers to the fair from the bus stop outside Working Man's Club in Shottermill. The buses will run from 11.30am to 5pm.

The Charter Fair is organised by a group of volunteers from Haslemere and surrounding villages and has been running every two years since it was reinstated in 1984, apart from a Covid break in 2020.

It is supported by Haslemere Town Council and organised by Haslemere Events.

The fair charts its history to an Order dated April 29, 1221, allowing a weekly market and an annual fair to be held in the town. This was during the reign of Henry III whose main claim to fame is ordering the rebuilding of Westminster Abbey in the Gothic style seen today.

A century and a half later, in 1393, Richard II and the Bishop of Salisbury confirmed this with a new Charter, and although the weekly markets were already established, the first fair in Haslemere was reported to be held in 1394.

This Charter was then later renewed by Queen Elizabeth I when she made the town a borough and permitted two annual fairs. The town celebrates this by holding a Charter Fair every other year.