As if Cambridge wasn't fascinating enough with its rich academic history and quirky traditions, there’s another gem in the city’s past: Stourbridge Fair. This remarkable event, which ran from 1211 until the late 18th century, transformed the area into a bustling centre of trade and entertainment. For almost 500 years, traders from all over Europe flocked to this month-long extravaganza, making it the largest annual fair in medieval Europe!

The first Stourbridge Fair started in 1211, and over time it grew in size and scope, becoming so vast that it resembled a small town. At its peak, the fair even developed its own street names like Garlic Row, Oyster Row, and Mercer's Row – some of which still exist today!

Initially, the fair was a two-day affair, but by the 16th century, it had expanded to a five-week-long event. Imagine an entire month dedicated to festivities, with merchants, performers, and visitors flooding the area. Its heyday came in 1589 when it ran from August 24 to September 29, but as the city's retail scene shifted towards the High Street in the 1600s, the fair's popularity waned.

By the 19th century, Stourbridge Fair was less about trade and more about entertainment, eventually ending in 1933. But don't worry – after a 70-year break, this legendary fair made a comeback in 2004, keeping the spirit of merriment alive in modern Cambridge.

Learn more about Stourbridge Fair here.

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About the Author

Hugh Wood
Founder & Chief History Nerd, Terrible Tours
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Hugh Wood is the Director of Terrible Tours and an expert in medieval and local history. Total history buff, also loves a laugh and believes that to be the best way to learn, regardless of age!