Could you lend a hand and help bring a bit of history to life?
On Saturday 6 September Barnwell Meadows around the Leper Chapel will once again ring with music, chatter and the bustle of stalls as we recreate the legendary Stourbridge Fair. First chartered by King John in 1211 and once the largest market in Europe, the fair funded the medieval leper hospital beside it and kept the 12th-century chapel standing when so many buildings of that age vanished.
Today Cambridge Past, Present & Future stewards both the chapel and the fair – and we rely on volunteers to make this living-history day unforgettable.
📅 Event date: Saturday 6th September
🕛 Time: Open to the public from 12pm–4:30pm
📍 Location: The Leper Chapel, Barnwell Junction, Newmarket Rd, Cambridge CB5 8JJ
There are lots of ways you can get involved:
✅ Leaflet drop in August
✅ Set up before the event
✅ Serve refreshments
✅ Help with post-event clear up
It’s a great opportunity to meet new people, support local heritage, and be part of a much-loved community tradition!
💌 Interested? Get in touch at warden@cambridgeppf.org
👉 Can’t volunteer this time? You can still support the work we do by becoming a member:
https://cambridgeppf.org/join-us-page/
Let’s make this year’s Stourbridge Fair the best yet! 🏰✨
The Day at a Glance
-
Open to the public: 12 pm – 4:30 pm
-
Place: The Leper Chapel, Barnwell Junction, Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8JJ
-
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
Highlights
-
Traditional opening ceremony at noon with costumed dancers and musicians.
-
Storytelling, singing, craft stalls and short history talks throughout the afternoon.
-
Rare chance to step inside Cambridge’s second-oldest complete building (c. 1125).
-
Refreshments and medieval treats available all day.
Practicalities: No parking at the chapel (street parking nearby). No on-site toilets; the nearest public loo is 300 m away. A large step at the entrance may limit accessibility.
A Quick Dive into Fair History
-
12th Century: Leper hospital founded beside a new stone chapel on the edge of Cambridge.
-
1211: King John grants the hospital a charter to run a three-day fair; stall rents fund patient care.
-
16th – 18th Centuries: Stourbridge Fair expands to five weeks (24 Aug – 29 Sept) and attracts merchants from across Europe. Samuel Pepys and Daniel Defoe both describe its scale and spectacle.
-
19th Century: Trade dwindles; by 1816 the chapel is rescued, restored and eventually entrusted to Cambridge PPF (1951).
-
Today: We revive the fair’s spirit for one glorious afternoon each September.
Can’t Volunteer This Time?
You can still keep the chapel – and other cherished green spaces – thriving by becoming a member or patron. Members enjoy year-round perks such as discounts at The Orchard Tea Garden, exclusive walks and more. Join us here ➜ https://cambridgeppf.org/join-us-page/
Together we’ll make this year’s Stourbridge Fair the best in centuries – see you under the bunting! 🏰✨
We’re looking for volunteers to help make this year’s Stourbridge Fair a fantastic success! 🎉
