Getting to the Fair
Where We Are
The Cuckoo Fair is held in the village of Downton, Wiltshire, which is situated on the A338 between Bournemouth and Salisbury. The Fair itself is held on The Borough (the B3080 road to the New Forest), which is closed to all traffic from 0830 to 1800 on the day of the fair. With several large car parks and the frequent X3 bus service connecting to Salisbury Railway Station, the fair is easy to get to!
Car Parks
There are large car parks which charge £10 cash per vehicle, provided by local charities and good causes, so please use them. There is no entry fee to the fair itself, so this represents very good value if there are several people in your car. Please do not obstruct the lanes around the village which would make access for emergency vehicles difficult, and do not leave any pets in vehicles, or the police may be called.
North car park – suitable for cars. What3Words – ///incline.hunter.wove. Nearest postcode SP5 3RA
East Car Park – not suitable for Accessible or coaches. Toilets plus free park-n-ride service to Tannery Bridge. What3words – ///items.bravery.unafraid. Nearest postcode SP5 3QA
South Car Park – Accessible parking and toilets. Coach parking by prior arrangement (see below). What3words – ///banana.hero.correctly. Postcode – SP5 3HN
Public Transport
Morebus runs the main X3 route along the A338, with a half-hourly service north to Salisbury Railway Station and south to Fordingbridge, Ringwood and Bournemouth. Salisbury Reds runs the less frequent local route 44, although this service will be amended due to the road closure in the village. The bus stop on the A338 is right by the entrance to the Cuckoo Fair, adjacent to The Bull, making the fair very convenient to reach by public transport.
In Salisbury there is a mainline station with trains operated by South Western Railway (typically London to Exeter routes) and Great Western Railway (typically South Coast to Bristol / Gloucester). The X3 bus stop and the taxi rank are immediately outside the station entrance.
Cycling
If you want to cycle to the Fair then there are cycle racks at three locations available for use:
- Outside the Co-op. This is in the middle of the Fair so best get there early and remember there is NO cycling during the Fair.
- At Trafalgar School, follow signs to the South carpark. They are past the front car parks on the right hand side as you cycle in.
- Beside the Northbound bus-stop at the junction of Wick Lane and the A338.
Coach Parking for Cuckoo Fair
Coach parking is ONLY available at Trafalgar School SOUTH 
.
This is only accessible from the A338 with coaches joining the A338 at either Salisbury or Ringwood.
Note there is NO access to the A338 through the village on the day of the fair.
There is also NO space for a coach to turn around on the Eastern (New Forest) side of the village. Coaches will get stuck and maybe fined by Wiltshire Police. For full details of how to access the Fair please https://cuckoofair.co.uk/getting-to-us
Due to the limited space for coach parking at Trafalgar school, (maximum of 6 coaches), a parking space cannot be guaranteed. Therefore it would be advisable for any coach companies to pre-book a space prior to the event. This can be done by a phone call to Trafalgar School on 01725 550300.
Cash payment would need to be made on arrival and a receipt can be provided.
Temporary parking for unloading/loading may be possible for those without a parking space, depending upon traffic levels. Coaches must then be parked well away from Downton to avoid congestion and enable access for emergency vehicles. We remind all coach operators that as the passengers are your paying customers the duty of care remains with yourselves throughout their trip with you, including the time they are at the Fair.
Camping
The Downton Cuckoo Fair provides no camping facilities for the Fair. Usually the New Forest District Association (NFDA) of The Camping and Caravanning Club arranges a temporary campsite. Please contact them for more information.
Regional Map
Important Note
Please do use the car parks – leaving cars on verges or in the country lanes inconveniences everyone. As the entry to the Fair is free we and the local organisations that run them rely on the income from the car parks to break even. All Car parks £10, please bring the correct cash.
NB as you approach Downton all roads be extra vigilant as they could be queues of traffic
PLEASE NOTE – B3080 through Downton is closed from 0830 to 1800.
The green box shows the extent of the Local Area map.
You are heading for Downton on the A338 between Ringwood and Salisbury.
The smaller red box the extent of the Local Car Park Map.
Local Area Map
This shows the routes to the Fair for different types of traffic. Disabled parking and coach parking are only available from A338 in the SOUTH Car Park. The details in the red ‘Downton’ box are shown in the Local Car Park Map below.
PLEASE NOTE – B3080 through Downton is closed from 0830 to 1800.
Visitors from East
Exit M27 at Junction 1, take B3078 through the New Forest (DO NOT exit at Junction 2 for the A36)
Cars only – in the New Forest take the right hand fork, B3080 signed to Downton.
For accessible parking – continue on B3078 through Fordingbridge and then north up A338 heading for Salisbury.
Coaches – Take M27 and A31 to Ringwood (see ‘Visitors from West & South’) – see Coach webpage for full details.
Visitors from West & South
Arrive via A31 and at Ringwood take A338 North towards Salisbury, through Fordingbridge.
Visitors from North
Arrive via Salisbury, take A338 South towards Ringwood.
Local Car Park Map
A338 Car parks – NB the A338 is open to traffic BUT be aware of traffic queues
The details in the red box are shown in the car park map below. The details for the blue box are shown in the ‘Arriving at the Cuckoo Fair’ section below
Visitors from East
Cars only – continue on the B3080 signed to Downton, through Woodfalls / Redlynch, shortly after the Lode Hill traffic lights turn right into Barford Lane, and park in EAST car park. There is a free Park and Ride from Barford Lane to the start of the Fair or you walk – it’s about 1,200M.
Visitors from West & South
Continue up the A338 North, through Breamer towards Salisbury and at Downton park in Trafalgar School car park SOUTH
Visitors from North
Continue down A338 heading South, past Charlton All Saints and as you enter Downton park in one of the NORTH , SOUTH car parks.
For Accessible parking
Continue north up A338 to park in Trafalgar School car park SOUTH
Coaches
Continue north up A338 to drop-off or if pre-booked park in Trafalgar School car park SOUTH
Arriving at the Cuckoo Fair
Car Park If you’ve parked in the Barford Lane Car park then catch the free park-n-ride service that’ll take you to the security check-point near the Purple Zone. From the drop-off point it’s just a short walk (400m) to the start of Purple Zone with its marquee and Maypole. From the car park it’s about a 1.2Km walk.
SOUTH Trafalgar School car park – follow the signs to the path that takes you to the fair. You’ll arrive between the Green and Blue Zones. Turn left to go to the start of the Fair and The Bull Hotel. NB Toilets are available directly opposite in the Cricket Pitch
NORTH car park – cross over the A338 and turn right. Walk down the pavement and just after The Bull Hotel, turn up The Borough and pass through the security checkpoint.
Making the Most of Your Visit
Please see our pages with useful information.