Fairford

About

The town sits on a lovely stretch of the River Coln and owes its fortune to its location - an important coaching town on the old London to Gloucester route. Some of the inns and hotels are reminders of this by gone era. Fairford is famous for its parish church, St Mary’s, which is a fine 'wool church' with a complete set of 28 medieval stained glass windows that tell the story of the Bible.

The town has a regular traditional market every Wednesday, a continental market twice a year and a festive market for Christmas on the first Friday of December. Carrying on an ancient tradition, the Fairford Town Crier “cries” in the Market Place on the 1st Wednesday of every month and at other events.

Fairford’s population expands every July with thousands of visitors coming to the town for the Royal International Air Tattoo, the biggest military air show in the world. The town holds other events as well including The Fairford Festival which is a  whole weekend of fun and events for all ages over the 1st weekend of June including 10k road race; 3k fun run; live music; Festival parade; children’s party; art exhibition; historical photographic exhibition.

With four pubs and one hotel, Fairford is well served to quench the thirst of walkers and fishermen. There is also a great Italian restaurant in the town centre and a café serving brownies, paninis and other delicious food.

Fairford attracts many walkers to enjoy the picturesque walks along the River Coln, by the Old Mill and around the many lakes in the Eastern Cotswold Water Park. A short Heritage Walk around the town is also a “must” for visitors.

Tourist leaflets, walks booklets and other information is available from the Information Centre or Town Council office in Fairford Community Centre (next to St Mary’s Church). Here is a route map for an easy Fairford walk from the town centre and along the River Coln.

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