THE annual Dunster Country Fair returns on Wednesday (July 24), 45 years since it started as a donkey derby.

The modern country fair, held in the picturesque setting of Dunster Castle Lawns by permission of the Dunster Estate, is a far cry from those early days.

It has become West Somerset’s largest fun day out for all the family showcasing country life with entertaining attractions in the main show ring and dozens of trade stalls, local craft demonstrations, and rural skills presentations on the ‘village green’.

Attractions include Terry Moules’ racing ferrets, hound shows, craft exhibits, falconry, a Punch and Judy Show, a fun dog show and agility show, and an Exmoor Pony Society show with classes including stallion or gelding four years and over, working hunter pony, owner/breeders pair, and junior ridden.

The country fair starts at 10am, with the gates opening at 8.30am and speed restrictions and parking bans will apply on stretches of the A39 and A396 before and after the event.

Main ring attractions include the Jez Avery Stunt Show, a Shetland Pony Grand National, Hawkeye Falconry, handy hunter competitions, Pony Club games, and the South West Group Fell Pony Society show.

​There is also a vintage tractor show with a trophy awarded in in memory of Jeremy ‘Jerry’ Onions, who died in 2021, who was raised and farmed in Wootton Courteney since the 1950s.

His daughter, Sarah Hosken, said: “He grew up on the farm loving country life, he was a country man.

“Later in life he became interested in vintage tractors and bought a T20, Super Dexta, and Fordson Major to restore so he could take to local shows and tractor rallies.

“He always enjoyed Dunster Country Fair, it was a great day out for him and his tractors.

“I hope to carry on his love of vintage tractors in his memory.”

The day includes a thatching demonstration by West Country Thatchers, blacksmithing by West Country Blacksmiths, of Allerford Forge, wool spinning by Annabelle Gregory, of Handmade Exmoor, basket weaving by Paul Truck, woodturning by Pole-lathe, wheelwright skills shown by Martin Symes, and rides on the Exmouth Miniature Railway.

​Ron King’s Hot Six Band will be performing throughout the day close to the show’s public bar and luncheon marquee.

Dunster Country Fair’s hound show is one of the largest in the Westcountry and gives hunts an opportunity to compete against each other in the ring and show off their hounds to the public.

About 30 hunts, including staghounds, foxhounds, harriers, beagles, and minkhounds, will compete in the morning, starting at 9.30 am, culminating in the supreme championship and an afternoon parade which provides an opportunity for children to enter the ring and the meet the hounds.

The Wessex K9 Dancers Display Team which has members from across the Westcountry, will give a display of ‘doggy-dancing’.