Our collection of vintage rides and attractions makes us the largest traveling vintage funfair in the world. Although it might take a huge effort to transport and build our rides in new locations, we think it’s worth it as we bring the fun of the fair to your doorstep.
2019 tour dates for Carters Steam Fair:
Click on the links below to read more about each event including opening times, information about fireworks and whether we have an art and heritage tour or vintage vehicle road run there too.
April
6/7 April: Woodford Park, Woodley Memorial Ground, RG5 4JB
19/20/21/22 April: Prospect Park, Reading, RG30 2ND
27/28 April: Leg of Mutton Field, Cobham, KT11 3EJ
May
4/5/6 May: Hersham Green, Hersham, KT12 4HL
11/12 May: Pinkneys Green, SL6 5DS
18/19 May: Westway Common, Caterham, CR3 5TR
25 May – 2 June: Promanade Park, Maldon, CM9 5JQ
June
1/2 June: Promanade Park, Maldon, CM9 5JQ
7/8/9 June: Lloyd Park, Walthamstow, E17 5EH
15/16 June: Clissold Park Stoke Newington, London, N16 9JH
21 – 30 June: Peckham Rye Common, Peckham, London SE15 3UA
July
5/6/7 July: Priory Park, Hornsey, London N8 7RD
12/13/14 July: Boxmoor Common, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1NP
20/21 July: Beacon Park, Lichfield, WS13 6QZ
26/27/28 July: Carfest North, CH3 9HQ
August
3-18 Aug: Victoria Park, Bath, BA1 2NQ
23/24/25 August: Carfest South, RG25 3DR
September
31/1 Sep: War Memorial Park, Basingstoke, RG21 4AH
7/8 Sep: Wheatsheaf Common, Woking, GU21 4AL
14/15 Sep: Croxley Green, WD3 3HN
21/22 Sep: Pedestal Field, West Wycombe, HP12 4AH
28/29 Sep: Englefield Green, TW20 OYX
October
5/6 Oct: Holyport Green, SL6 2JL
12/13 Oct: Prospect Park, Reading, RG30 2ND
And if you much prefer functional things to look pretty (like we do!), then here’s our run graphic with all of the dates on!
When will Carters Steam fair visit my town?
We’re always asked if we can visit particular towns (hello friends of Carters up North!), but the truth of the matter is that our vintage vehicles are just not designed to travel huge distances at great speeds. If we were to head for Scotland it might take us a week or two to get there!
If you’re not sure which event is closest to you then our handy ‘find a fair’ map on our visit page allows you to search by postcode or location.
A few more dates for your diary…
New for this year – more Fairground Art and heritage tours
Fancy hearing about the history of the fair (and rides in general) whilst looking at the artwork up close before the fair opens to the public? Join us on one of our guided tours at selected locations:
Saturday 13 April 11am: Prospect Park Reading
Friday 10 May 6pm: Maidenhead: Pinkneys Green
Sunday 26 May 10am: Maldon, Promenade Park
Saturday 8 June 11am: Walthamstow Lloyd park
Saturday 15 June 10am: Clissold
Saturday 22 June 11am: Peckham
Saturday 6 July 10am: Hornsey: Priory Park
Sunday 21 July 11am: Lichfield
Sunday 4 August 10am: Bath
Saturday 21 Sep 11am: West Wycombe
Saturday 5 Oct 10am: Maidenhead Holyport
Tickets are £5 per person and proceeds go to Alexander Devine Childrens Hospice. You can find out more on our learning pages.
Whenever I see Carters Fair at Prospect Park, Reading, I remember The Great Steam Fair at Shottesbrooke Park, White Waltham, in about . . . 1968 (?). The most magical, wonderful, 2 or 3 days of my teenage years. I lived in the village.
Is there any one still with Carters who remembers it or have they travelled on to The Great Carousel in the sky? I’m 68 so anyone remembering it will have to be my age or older I guess.
I’d love to know if there is. Was there a fella called . . . John Hocking or Jonathan Pocket . . . who did the amazing painting and ‘sign writing’ on your lorries and wagons?
Do let me know if anyone remembers this amazing event.
Best wishes to you all
Kate
(Catharine)
Hi Kate, lovely to hear your memories, we’ve passed your comments to Joby Carter to see if he remembers his family talking about the event.
Hi again Kate, our fairground owner said this:
My dad went to the 1964 steam fair and it’s fair to say it had a huge influence on Carters steam fair as you know it today. Regrettably my dad passed away in December 2000. John Pocket is still alive and I see him from time to time. Carters steam fair is still based in White Waltham and we are very proud of the villages heritage.
Kind Regards
Joby Carter
Hello there, are you visiting near Boyn Hill this year? If not we will have to attend one of your other locations. We are Lincolnshire residents and have family in Maidenhead and really enjoy your Steam fairs👍
Also would it be possible to purchase one of your advert posters? My Husband would really like one 🤷♀️
Hi Michelle, it’s great to be appreciated from afar! The Boyn Hill event is still TBC at the moment but we are in Holyport which is classed as Maidenhead so it should be very handy. There are free fireworks on the Saturday night and it’s free entry all weekend. As this is a two day event, we have more rides there than you would see at Boyn Hill which is usually a one day event. You can see more information on the event page https://www.carterssteamfair.co.uk/visit/holyport-green/
As for the posters, is there a particular event location that you would like? We can see what we can do!
As a boy and teenager my best friend was Roy Carter, younger brother of John. I remember John going to The Slade art college and then later Roy and I were part of his pit crew for stockcar racing at Reading then later he collected and dealt in classic American autos. His personal transport was a Hudson 112 Coupe complete with dickie seat! All this subsequently led to the establishment of the fair! Another time! Martin Evans
Just been to odeon to see Rocketman. Good to see Carters in the song Saturday night
Great that you enjoyed it! We’re certainly very proud to see our fair up on the big screen!
Carters Steam Fair came to Aldwick, Bognor Regis a couple of years ago and I vividly remember the sights (and smells) of the miniature machinery from a bygone age used to power the various attractions.
These machines must require constant maintenance and cannot last forever, but I for one really appreciate the efforts of all your staff.
My very best wishes and anyone who has the chance to go to one of the Fairs, do so. A very worthwhile and enjoyable visit.
Thank you Steve – that’s great that we left such a vivid lasting impression! You’d love our Steam Spectacular in Maidenhead in May- we even do a road tour of the vintage vehicles. Hope to see you there soon one day.
Why did u stop going to the great Dorset Steam fair I know ur freak show still goes just wondered why ur beautiful rides don’t anymore
Hi, in the comments you mention Boyne Hill is TBC – is this still the case? Just checking as arranging a friends get together.
Hi Suzie, this has been confirmed and we will be there on the Saturday afternoon (2nd November). It will be a smaller fair than a full weekend event but we hope to see you there!
Will you be in Maidenhead for the Boyn Hill Cricket Club fireworks again?
Hi Tina, yes we will be there again this year, we are just finalising the information on the website. Hope to see you there!