Discover tales of trade, tricksters and rich local traditions!
Join Carole Roberts, President of the Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society, for a free talk on the history of Croydon’s Walnut Fair, dating back to 1314!
Croydon’s first fairs were authorised from the year 1276 when the Archbishop of Canterbury granted a charter to Croydon.
The Walnut Fair, which started on 2 October and lasted three days, was authorised by a charter in the 14th century. It was a trade fair but from early days it was also an opportunity for a pleasure fair with stalls and entertainment. The last Croydon pleasure fair took place in 1868.
Curiosities were popular at the Fair. One of them was Learned pigs!
There were also peep shows, theatre performances and menageries. One year an elephant managed to escape the fair compound and ended up in a baker’s shop stealing buns.
Image of Croydon Fair by George Hawkins (ref: M/1993/983)
Courtesy of Museum of Croydon
