For an afternoon of medieval merriment, make a pilgrimage to The Leper Chapel on 5 September for the annual Stourbridge Fair.
In 1199, King John gave his royal permission to hold a three-day fair in order to raise money for lepers, and soon the Stourbridge Fair grew to become the largest medieval fair in Europe.
Today, visitors can browse stalls, selling all manner of historical wares, enjoy historical re-enactments, meet alchemists and pedlars and be entertained by medieval music and dancing. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to see inside this historic building. The event is free, but donations will go towards the chapel’s upkeep.
The Leper Chapel is Cambridge’s oldest complete building, dating from the 12th century. You’ll find it on Newmarket Road, at Barnwell Junction, near the Cambridge United ground. The fair takes place noon-4.30pm.