South of England Winter Fair
Saturday 21 November – Sunday 22 November 2026
South of England Showground, Ardingly, West Sussex(RH17 6TL)
In late November the South of England Agricultural Society, a charity that backs farming education, turns its showground at Ardingly in West Sussex into a two-day Christmas fair. Much of it is under cover, in halls, a marquee and a festive barn, where independent and local traders sell handmade leather goods, cashmere, natural soaps, jewellery and Christmas decorations, alongside pies, cheese and wine to take home. Children can visit Santa's Grotto, ride the funfair and join Mistletoe the Elf in the elf workshops, and there are willow weaving and chocolate decorating sessions. Take a Christmas card photo in the giant snow globe and eat at the street food stalls to live music. Parking is free, and under-16s come in free with a paying adult.
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What to expect
Date & times
Saturday 21 November – Sunday 22 November 2026
Getting there
South of England Showground, Ardingly, West Sussex (RH17 6TL for sat nav)
Dogs
Dogs welcome on a lead
Accessibility
Available: Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking. Not confirmed: Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible viewing areas.
Stalls
Stall list coming soon
Live schedule
Full timetable available when market goes live
Interactive map
Site map with GPS location available when market goes live
Live announcements
Real-time updates available when market goes live
Dogs at this market
Dogs are welcome at this market, on a lead.
Notes
Dogs are allowed, but the society does not recommend bringing them because there are a large number of indoor areas where dogs are not permitted.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas by law.
Accessibility
Confirmed:
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking / blue badge parking
Not confirmed:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Step-free access
- Accessible viewing areas
Notes
Blue Badge parking is near the entrances, and accessible toilets are in the toilet blocks and the Queen's Jubilee Hall. The society says the showground has a wide network of paved roads and all buildings have ramp access; parking is free and mostly on paved roads but can be on grass, uneven or wet, when busy, and the Festive Barn floor is sand. Carers with a paying adult go in free. The society's office (01444 892700) can answer questions before a visit.
Frequently asked questions
When is the South of England Winter Fair?
It is on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November 2026. Opening times are 9am to 5pm on the Saturday and 9am to 4pm on the Sunday.
Where is the Winter Fair held?
At the South of England Showground, Selsfield Road, Ardingly, West Sussex, RH17 6TL. Use that postcode for satnav and it will take you to the main entrance. From the M23, leave at junction 10 and take the A264 towards East Grinstead, go straight on at the first two roundabouts and turn right at the third onto the B2028 towards Haywards Heath. There are two entrances for the fair, the North Gate and the South Gate.
How much are tickets?
Adults are £9.45 and seniors and students £8.10 if bought in advance, with the advance price ending on 13 November 2026. After that, adults are £10.50 and seniors and students £9. Children under 16 go in free with a paying adult, and the society suggests a £2 donation. Society members go in free. Buy through the society's website. Tickets are limited and the fair has sold out in previous years; any left are sold at the gates.
Is there parking?
Yes, and it is free. Most of it is on paved roads, but when the showground is busy some parking can be on grass, which may be uneven or wet. There is no shuttle bus to Haywards Heath station for the Winter Fair.
What is there to see and do?
A large selection of stalls from local and independent traders sells gifts, handcrafted items and festive decorations, with food and drink. Inside you will find live music, a giant snow globe and workshops with Mistletoe the Elf; live music and the snow globe are free once you are in. Santa's Grotto, the children's funfair, willow weaving and chocolate decorating cost extra. Charges and attractions can change from year to year.
Is there anywhere to eat and drink?
Yes. There is a street food area and a Food Hall, or you can bring a picnic. Stalls also sell food and drink to take home.
Are dogs allowed at the Winter Fair?
Dogs are allowed, but the society does not recommend bringing them because there are a large number of indoor areas where dogs are not permitted.
Is the Winter Fair accessible for wheelchair users and carers?
Blue Badge parking is near the entrances, and accessible toilets are in the toilet blocks and the Queen's Jubilee Hall. The society says the showground has a wide network of paved roads and that all its buildings have ramp access, but some parking can be on grass, and the floor of the Festive Barn is sand. A carer coming with a paying adult they care for goes in free; bring carer ID, which is checked at the gates. Ask the society's office on 01444 892700 before you travel if you want to check anything.
Is there a cashpoint?
Yes, there is a cashpoint on site, and many exhibitors take card payments.
Can I have a stall at the Winter Fair?
The society takes applications from traders through its website. Outdoor pitches are 6m x 3m, 6m x 6m or 9m x 6m on grass facing tarmac roadways, and indoor spaces are in the Food & Drink Hall, the Gifts & Greetings Marquee, the Young Farmers Barn and the Christmas Cabin. Prices exclude VAT; see the trade information page of the society's website.
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