{{Short description|Annual fair in London}} {{For|the film ''Barnet Horse Fair''|Barnet Horse Fair (film)}} {{Use British English|date=November 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} thumbnail|Cattle at Barnet Fair c. 1849 thumbnail|Barnet horse fair thumbnail|The funfair '''Barnet Fair''' is an annual horse and pleasure fair held near Mays Lane, Barnet, England, on the first Monday in September.<ref name="BarnetOnline">{{cite web|title=Barnet Market and Fair |url=http://www.barnet.gov.uk/index/leisure-culture/libraries/archives/archives-histories/archives-barnethistories/archives-barnet-barnetmarket.htm |work=Barnet Online |accessdate=13 July 2010 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607174613/http://www.barnet.gov.uk/index/leisure-culture/libraries/archives/archives-histories/archives-barnethistories/archives-barnet-barnetmarket.htm |archivedate=7 June 2011 }}</ref> The Fair takes place over three days starting on 4 September. It still operates under its royal Charter which is issued to Barnet council{{dubious|Barnet council doesn't issue royal charters|date=January 2025}}. The focus in the present-day Fair is no longer on horses and other livestock; but it is rather a pleasure fair instead.
==History== The fair began in 1588 when Queen Elizabeth I granted a charter to the Lord of the Manor of Barnet to hold a fair twice yearly, in addition to the weekly Barnet Market.<ref name="Barnet4U">{{cite web|title=Barnet Fair |url=http://barnet4u.co.uk/Barnet%20History/barnetfair.html |work=Barnet 4U |accessdate=13 July 2010 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208035059/http://www.barnet4u.co.uk/Barnet%20History/barnetfair.html |archivedate=8 December 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref> Originally held in June and October, Lord John Tomlinson changed the dates to April and September in 1758 for the reason of improving business.<ref name="Barnet4U"/> From 1881, the April fair ceased.<ref name="Barnet4U"/>
The focus of the fair was its livestock, with animals being brought from across the United Kingdom.<ref name="BarnetOnline"/><ref name="Barnet4U"/> In 1834, ''The Times'' reported that Barnet Fair was England's largest cattle market, with up to 40,000 animals on display.<ref name="Barnet4U"/>
From the eighteenth century, the festivities also used to include horse racing, although these ceased in 1870 when the railway station was built on the ground in which they had been held.<ref name="BarnetOnline"/><ref name="Barnet4U"/>
==Popular culture== In 1896, a film was made about Barnet Fair, entitled ''Barnet Horse Fair''.
The term 'Barnet Fair', normally shortened to 'Barnet', has become rhyming slang for 'hair'.<ref>Julian Franklyn, ''A Dictionary of Rhyming Slang'' (Routledge, 1960).</ref>
"Barnet Fair" is the name of a song by Steeleye Span.
Thomas E. Browne, Hackney ARP Warden diarist notes Saturday September 5, 1942 how, “When I arrived at Barnet, about 50 donkeys were being driven along the High Street to the cries of “Oh! Oh!” and holding up the traffic. Quite an interesting sight. I believe they were going to the Barnet Fair, being held at the foot of the hill. Very windy today, but bright & sunny.”<ref>Hackney Archives. D/F/BRO/1(11) </ref>
==See also== {{Columns-list|colwidth=30em| * Artisanal food * Bazaar * Charter * Hawker * History of marketing * List of Renaissance fairs * Market town * Marketing * Market (place) * Merchant * Peddler * Retail * Town privileges }}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{commons category-inline|Barnet Fair}}
Category:1588 establishments in England Category:Fairs in England Category:September <!-- now --> Category:History of the London Borough of Barnet Category:Chipping Barnet Category:Equestrian festivals Category:Festivals established in the 16th century Charter fair Category:Autumn in England