The Barlow Book Fair in Edgworth, Lancashire, is a member of the North West Book Fairs collective. Book Fairs have been held at the Barlow since 2019, although the 2020 and 2021 fairs were cancelled due to lockdown restrictions. They resumed with the 2022 and 2023 fairs, both held in June. The Barlow itself is the main community centre for the village, and has excellent event hosting facilities, including a popular on-site cafe. Off-site parking is available for dealers and visitors, although this is shared with the cricket club and can become busy during the summer.
Barlow book fairs have typically taken place on weekends during the spring or early summer months. The 2024 fair was held on Saturday April 20th 2024. Previous event have usually opened at 9.30am and closed at 4.00pm. Admission charges have been set at a nominal 50p (free for children), although this been waived in the past.
The future of the Barlow Book Fair is uncertain. Decisions on the future years depend on the costs of holding them, prior years attendance, and the input of dealers and others who take a table.
Barlow Google location:
Directions from the North
From the North the quickest way to Edgworth is to leave the M65 at Junction 5, ‘Guide’, turn left at the B6231, ‘Blackamore Road’, junction and then left again at ‘Roman Road’ (yes, it was once the Manchester to Ribchester Road). Keep following this road for 3 to 4 miles until you reach the double roundabout in the centre of Edgworth (go straight across the ealier Hoddlesden/Darwen roundabout). At the double roundabout turn right; the Barlow is on your left next to Edgworth Cricket Club.
Directions from the northern parts of the Manchester area
Leave the Manchester motorway network (M60) at the A666 for Bolton and Blackburn. At the first set of traffic lights on the A666 (Topp Way\Turton Street), turn right and follow Turton Street past the retail sheds until you reach the next set at Tonge Moor Road. Turn left on to Tonge Moor Road (A676) until you reach Bolton’s orbital road (Crompton Way) junction. There are a number of minor traffic lights and crossing up to this point but this one is recognisable using a Shell garage and ‘Castle’ pub as landmarks. Go straight ahead until you reach the junction at Bradshaw (Lea Gate), about half a mile away. The road forks at this point. There is a route using either fork but it is easier to take the one on the right – stay in the right-hand lane at this junction. Go through the lights until the next set, a few hundred yards after the road bends to the right. Turn left at this junction (the church will be to your right) and continue to follow the A676 (Bradshaw Road) for a couple of miles until you reach a sharp bend in the road (before you reach Hawkshaw). The landmark to look out for is an Indian restaurant on your right, Dalchini. Turn left here (Bury Road, the B6213) and follow this until you reach the double roundabout in the centre of Edgworth. Turn left here. The Barlow will be on your left after Edgworth Cricket Club.
Alternatively, the postcode for the Barlow is BL7 0AP for people using a satnav.
