Two days, three sites and a programme that runs from the first coffee stall to the last encore: the Mercia Quarter Summer Fayre returns on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July 2025, spreading across the Green, the Old Wharf and a traffic-free stretch of Mill Lane. Gates open at 10am both days and the last stall packs away at 5pm. Whether you are coming for the dog show, the duck race or simply a deckchair and a slice of cake, a little planning makes the day far easier — especially if you are bringing children, a pushchair or a dog.
The Basics: Times, Sites and What Is Where
The fayre is deliberately compact. All three areas sit within a five-minute walk of each other, so you can wander between them without losing half the afternoon to walking.
- The Green — main stage, hot food, craft market, children's tents, toilets and the first aid point.
- The Old Wharf — bar, picnic seating, acoustic music, and the finish line for the duck race.
- Mill Lane (closed to traffic) — community group stalls, classic cars, the dog show ring, and the information tent where you collect the children's trail map.
Entry is free, with collection buckets at each gate for the community fund that pays for next year's fayre. Printed programmes are available from the information tent on Mill Lane; the same timetable is posted on boards at each site entrance.
Saturday 19 July: Full Schedule
Morning
- 10:00 — Gates open; craft market and food stalls begin trading on the Green.
- 10:30 — Children's story trail starts. Collect a map from the information tent; the route takes roughly an hour at a child's pace.
- 11:00 — Fun dog show on Mill Lane. Classes include waggiest tail, best rescue and best biscuit catcher. Register on the day from 10:15.
- 11:45 — Toddler rhyme time in the small tent beside the play area.
Afternoon and early evening
- 12:30 — Brass band on the bandstand.
- 13:30 — Family relay races on the Green. Teams of four, all ages, no training required.
- 14:30 — Cake and preserve competition judging, with entries displayed afterwards in the community hall.
- 15:30 — Tug of war, streets versus businesses. Sign up at the stage.
- 16:15 — Raffle draw and afternoon tea in the hall.
- 17:00 — Market closes; live music at the Old Wharf until around 19:30.
Sunday 20 July: Full Schedule
Morning
- 10:00 — Gates open; makers' market and car boot stalls on Mill Lane.
- 10:00–11:00 — Quiet hour across all sites: no amplified music, lower stall volumes, a calm tent available on the Green.
- 10:30 — Gentle stretch and yoga on the Green. Bring a mat or a towel.
- 11:30 — Falconry display on the field behind the Wharf.
Afternoon
- 12:30 — Picnic in the park with the community choir.
- 13:30 — Children's fancy dress parade. This year's theme is "things that fly" — homemade costumes very much encouraged.
- 14:30 — Morris dancing outside the Old Wharf.
- 15:30 — Duck race along the brook. Ducks are numbered and go on sale from midday at the Wharf; proceeds go to the play equipment fund.
- 16:30 — Thanks from the organisers and the final raffle draw.
- 17:00 — Fayre closes.
Parking, Buses and Getting There
There is no parking on the Green, and Mill Lane is closed to vehicles from Friday evening until Sunday night. The nearest public car park is the station car park off Station Approach, about a seven-minute walk from the main gate. It fills quickly after 11am on the Saturday, so arriving early or coming on Sunday morning is the simplest way to avoid circling.
- Blue Badge holders — dedicated bays on Mill Lane near the community hall, plus a drop-off point at the Green gate.
- By bus — routes along the High Street stop a three-minute walk from the Wharf entrance; Sunday services are less frequent, so check times before you travel.
- By bike — racks at the community hall and beside the Wharf gate. Bring a lock; both fill up by midday.
- On foot — the signed walking route from the high street is step-free the whole way.
Please do not park on verges or across dropped kerbs. Residents' streets around the Green are narrow, and blocked driveways cause most of the complaints the organisers receive each year.
The Best Bits for Children
Most families end up spending the bulk of their day between the Green and the Wharf, where the tents are grouped together so you are never far from a toilet or a drink.
For toddlers and pre-schoolers
The soft play corner, sand pit and rhyme time are all in one fenced area on the Green, with a buggy park beside it. The story trail is gentle enough for little legs, and the fancy dress parade on Sunday is more about the walk than the winning.
For older children and teenagers
The relay races, tug of war and duck race tend to be the highlights, along with the classic cars on Mill Lane and the climbing wall near the Wharf. Craft stalls usually run a drop-in make-and-take session, which is a good option when the queue for face painting gets long.
If your child finds crowds difficult, aim for Sunday's quiet hour, or come in the first hour on Saturday before the music starts. Ear defenders are available to borrow from the information tent.
What to Bring, and What to Leave at Home
July weather in the Quarter is unpredictable, so pack for both: sun cream and hats, plus a light waterproof. A refillable water bottle saves money and plastic — there are refill points at the Green and the Wharf. A picnic blanket earns its place, as seating is limited and most people end up on the grass.
Most larger stalls take card payments, but several of the smaller community tables and the duck race are cash-only, so bring a little change. Dogs are welcome on leads everywhere except the food preparation area and the children's tents. Leave glass bottles, disposable barbecues and gazebos at home; none are permitted on the Green.
Plan Your Day
If you only do three things, make them these: arrive before 11am so parking is straightforward, collect a trail map from the information tent as soon as you arrive, and check the board at the main gate for any last-minute changes — outdoor events occasionally shift timings if the weather turns. The fayre is run entirely by volunteers, so if you have an hour to spare, the stewards at any gate will gladly put you to work.
Photo: Th2city Santana / Pexels
