The Woolmen Sheep Drive & Livery Fair returns to Southwark Bridge on Sunday 27 September 2026. Freemen of the City of London herd sheep across the bridge throughout the day, keeping alive an old right to bring livestock to market toll-free, while a free Livery Fair fills Queen Street and Queen Street Place alongside it.

Check the official Sheep Drive website →

What is free and what costs money

Watching the sheep drive from the bridge is free, and so is the Livery Fair. The only paid element is the historic right to actually herd a sheep across the bridge yourself, which is reserved for registered Freemen of the City of London who book a place in advance. As a visitor, you can turn up any time between 10am and 4pm and watch for nothing, then browse the fair’s stalls, where any spending on wool goods, crafts or food is entirely optional.

What to expect

Sheep are driven across Southwark Bridge at various points through the day by Freemen exercising their ancient right to bring livestock to market over the Thames without paying a toll. Alongside the drive, the Livery Fair on Queen Street and Queen Street Place brings together London’s livery and wool companies for demonstrations, including expert blade shearing and rare-breed sheep on display, plus stalls selling wool-based goods, textiles, crafts and food. The event raises money for the Woolmen’s Charity and the Lord Mayor’s Appeal.

Getting there and access

Mansion House station is the closest Underground stop, a short walk along Queen Victoria Street to Queen Street. Cannon Street and Bank stations are also within easy walking distance, and the site is a five to ten minute walk from London Bridge on the south side of the river. Expect the bridge itself to be busy with pedestrians and periodic road closures for the sheep crossings, so allow extra time if you are trying to cross the river at the same time.

Neither organiser page publishes specific accessibility details for the fair. If step-free access or other accommodations matter to your visit, it is worth emailing the organiser at liveryfairenquiries@woolmen.com before the day.

Useful questions

Do I need a ticket to watch?
No. Watching the sheep drive and visiting the Livery Fair are both free, and you can turn up at any point between 10am and 4pm.
Can I take part in the sheep drive myself?
Only registered Freemen of the City of London with a pre-booked place can herd sheep across the bridge. Everyone else watches from the bridge or the surrounding streets.
Is the fair suitable for children?
Yes, the rare-breed sheep and shearing demonstrations tend to appeal to families, though there is no dedicated children’s programme.
What if I need step-free access?
The organisers have not published specific accessibility information, so it is worth contacting them directly ahead of your visit if you have particular access needs.

Source and last check

Details checked on 21 September 2026 using the official Sheep Drive website, with timings and public viewing details cross-checked against reporting from Londonist and ianVisits.