THE ORIGINS OF THE MILTON ABBAS STREET FAIR
The ancient town of Middleton clustered around the Benedictine Abbey nestling in the Delcombe Valley. King Athelstan, grandson of King Alfred the Great, granted the town a market and a fair.
The fair took place on St Sampson’s Day as St Sampson was the patron saint of the ancient town and Abbey. Lord Damer, Earl of Dorchester, had the village of Middleton removed and rebuilt in the valley of Milton Abbas to make way for his
landscaped estates. Every two years the present villagers recreate their historic country fair to celebrate the rebuilding of the present village over 240 years ago. The fair attracts thousands of visitors and has become one of Dorset’s key events, with something for all the family.

More information on the 2017 Street Fair here