Chichester’s historic Sloe Fair returns to Northgate car park

The fair ran from 3pm to 10.30pm, with free entry and visitors paying separately for each ride.

While the modern-day event is known for its brightly lit attractions and traditional fairground atmosphere, its history stretches back more than 900 years.

The Sloe Fair is believed to date back to around 1107, when King Henry I granted a Royal Charter allowing the fair to be held.

In the late 19th century, the event moved from Chichester city centre to a field that is now Northgate car park, where it still takes place today.

The fair is traditionally held on October 20 each year. Its continued operation is particularly significant, as failing to hold the event could result in the City of Chichester losing its “right of use” of the land.

The Showmen’s Guild (London and Home Counties Section) took over the running of the fair more than 50 years ago and carries forward its long-standing association with the historic event.

Today, the Sloe Fair remains an annual fixture in Chichester’s calendar, connecting the city’s centuries-old traditions with the sights and sounds of a modern travelling funfair.