THOUSANDS flocked to Downton for its fantastic annual fair this weekend.

The 42nd Downton Cuckoo Fair was held on Saturday, April 29.

Entertaining the masses, the annual free event offered fun for all the family with rural craft demonstrations, fairground attractions, Morris dancing performances and much more.

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The gates opened at 10am, when this year's Cuckoo Fair Princess was crowned.

A total of 252 separate stallholders, 62 of which were new this year, set up to sell their wide range of unique products.

From homemade beeswax candles to shortbread and barbeque food, there was something for everyone at this year's Cuckoo Fair.

Organisers of the event estimate 18,000 visitors attended over the course of the day.

The Cuckoo Fair is organised and run by unpaid volunteers.

Joanna Horbury, communications manager for the Downton Cuckoo Fair, said: "The weather was just perfect and we’ve had some really lovely feedback from visitors and stall holders alike who had a wonderful day."

Salisbury Journal: Downton Cuckoo Fair 2023.

After the event, organisers took to Facebook to thank all the volunteers who made the successful day possible.

A spokesperson for the Cuckoo Fair said: "A little hug and a big thank you to all the volunteers that make the Downton Cuckoo Fair happen.

"It is a huge undertaking that takes up a lot of time which is all given freely and for the benefit of the community."

Our photograph gallery, taken by Derek Maidment, captures some of the activities that were happening. Click the top image to scroll through the pictures. 

Organisers are already looking for new volunteers for next year's Cuckoo Fair and people can get in touch by visiting cuckoofair.co.uk.