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
New – November
2 Nov: Boyn Hill Cricket Club, Maidenhead SL6 5AE – Please note that as we are only at Boyn Hill for one day, the fair will be a more compact version than our usual locations, but there is still plenty for everyone to enjoy. Entry is free before 5pm at this event.
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.
I remember carters coming to park lane park in Hayes Middlesex when I was younger and would of loved to take my kids too but unfortunately it hasn’t returned for a while I’d like to know if it will ever return as I really enjoyed the colourful rides and retro feel of the fair and it’s vintage vehicles
Hi Darren, great that you have fond memories. We think your nearest locations would be Pinkneys Green, Croxley, West Wycombe or Hemel. You’ll be able to see our 2020 tour dates on our website soon.
We visited Carters Steam Fair at Beacon Park, Lichfield on Saturday 20th July, what a wonderful experience, it was like stepping back in time, the funfair was so lovely and to see the beautiful artwork showmens trailers and trucks all presented to such a high standard was a sight to behold we just couldn’t take enough photographs, we hope you will be back in Lichfield again next year.
Thats great to hear you had a brilliant visit. We are just working on tour dates for 2020- keep an eye on our website and Facebook page!
Thank you so much for keeping the fair running in the horrendous conditions at 2019 Carfest North! The fair was the highlight of my and my kids weekend, and I hope the Carters team was able to extract your vehicles and kit without too much trouble! Hope to see you again soon
Thank you Will! It certainly was a wet one! We were warm and toasty in our wagons, we hope you were OK in a tent!
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!
I missed BBC Radio 4’s Going on the Gallopers when it was broadcast in 2011. Have kept an eye out for it since. Just listening to it on BBC Radio 4 Extra iPlayer at the moment following a much appreciated repeat. Glad that your website indicates that you’re still touring. I’ll watch out for a stop near Suffolk in 2020. Best wishes to you all.
Oh that’s great to hear that they broadcast it again! We are indeed still on tour but have just returned back to the yard for Winter so we can restore some of the rides after a busy season. We’ll share details of our 2020 tour here on the website and on our Facebook page soon.
Sunday 3rd November – saw one of your lorries – Atkinson No 18, I think it was, heading South on the A6, near Kegworth – I didn’t think you’d got any dates in this area ??
Well spotted! We have stopped our tour for the year and will be back in 2020 but we don’t have room in the yard for all of our vehicles so this one was on its travels!
hello carter family thank you all for another enjoyable season & i will certainly look forward to the next season many thanks for your hard work putting the fair together for all our enjoyment
Thanks Colin! We look forward to seeing you next year.
Only today have I discovered Carters fair, while searching for a sign writing course!! Massive excitement until I then discover I’ve missed the boat/horses for this year! :(. Await details of Joby’s winter courses, and your touring diary for next year… 🙂 Annie
Hi Annie, glad that you have found us now though! We are working on the run dates for next year and will announce them on our Facebook page when they are ready, or you could sign up to our email list – look for the form on the home page of the website.
Joby is doing courses now- there are a few spaces left on the one day introduction to signwriting on the 12 January 2020 and he has just put another 5 day course in for March 2020. Do either of those work for you?
hello carter family
I would like to wish all the carter family a very merry Christmas and a happy new year and I will certainly be looking forward to the next tour in 2020 enjoy the festive season, see you next year
regards
Colin Brown