As we mark a year since the UK first went into national lockdown, we have been dusting off our beautiful vintage fairground rides and brainstorming how we can bring the enjoyment of the fair to our fans, but in a covid-safe environment.
We know that everyone is itching to get ‘back to normal’ but it looks like we will all still be living with some restrictions in place until the summer. So, just like all Showmen do, Joby Carter has innovated and has come up with a brand-new way for families to experience the fun of the fair. Starting in April 2021 and running on selected dates in April and May, Carters fans can experience our first ‘mini fair’ with a selection of everyone’s favourite rides at our headquarters in White Waltham, Maidenhead.
Our new Carters Mini Fair Experience is the first time we have offered an ‘all-inclusive’ option for our customers offering 5 rides and a hook-a-duck prize for £11.95 per person.
Not only is the experience great value, but each session is limited to 10 riders which means it’s easier to social distance and you can avoid long queues or big crowds!
Although many covid restrictions are lifting from the 12 April, we want our visitors to have peace of mind when they visit us. Our mini funfair is an open-air experience and rides will be regularly cleaned in between use. Hand sanitiser is supplied, and visitors are asked to wear a mask when they enter and exit.
Choose your own adventure at the Carters Mini Fun-Fair experience
The mini-fair experience has a range of rides that are suited to different ages of children. For toddlers, pre-schoolers and younger children up to around seven years of age we have created the Little Kids Adventure. This experience includes a ride on our iconic Galloper ride and some of our smaller rides. For children aged around 5 and above we have the Big Kids Adventure which includes some of the fairground favourites such as the newly restored Chair-O-Planes, the Jungle Ark Thriller and the Gallopers. Those that are young at heart will enjoy the Big Kids Adventure too.
Little Kids Adventures- big fun for little ones
The following is included in your mini adventure
1. Carters Jubilee Steam Gallopers
Dating from 1895, this Victorian ride is our oldest and has plenty of beautiful fun for children of all ages. Choose a Galloper horse and enjoy the ride. Look out for the portraits of our Kings and Queens and iconic Victorians decorated on the ride.
2. Carters Wonder Railway Train Ride
Built in the 1930s, this gentle train ride is popular with families and children alike. Travel around the tracks in a circle and wave at everyone as you pass by.
3. Carters Austin Car Ride
Dinky drivers love our beautifully restored Austin cars which have steering wheels you can turn for extra imaginative play.
4.Carters Toytown
Ride a train, car, tractor or horse and hold on tight as you gently spin around. This ride is very popular with our younger visitors who love turning the steering wheels on the miniature replica cars.
5. Carters Mini Octopus
Tiny thrill-seekers will enjoy swooping and spinning around in this ride. The small cars can seat two children – ride with your sibling or friend and have some fun.
Hook a duck with a prize
No trip to the fair is complete without winning a prize on the timeless side stall Hook-a-Duck. The ducks parade around the centre of the hoopla, and you must try and pluck one from the flock with your long hook. Children can choose a prize to take home with them.
Big Kids Adventure – what’s included?
Ideal for those aged 5 years and older, the Big Kids Adventure includes some of the Carters favourites from the Little Kids adventure such as
1.The Gallopers
2. Carters Wonder Railway Train Ride.
In addition to that riders can enjoy the following:
3. The Paramount Chair-o-Plane
Dating from the 1920s, this is a rare example of working vintage chair-o-planes which have been lovingly restored for the 2021 season with new hand-painted decorations adorning the rides. This ride has a minimum height of 1.1m, but you can swap this ride for another on the day if they don’t meet the height criteria.
4. Carters Jungle Ark Thriller
Choose a bike or beast and get ready to ride! This beautiful ride dates from 1934 and as you ride around you rise up and down on ‘hills’, just like a waltzer.
5. High Flyer swing boats
This timeless ride is lots of fun for children of all ages- they love being able to control how high and fast they ride. They were so popular that they gave root to the phrase ‘ the fair is in full swing’.
Hook a duck with a prize
No trip to the fair is complete without winning a prize on the timeless side stall Hook-a-Duck. The ducks parade around the centre of the hoopla, and you must try and pluck one from the flock with your long hook. Children can choose a prize to take home with them.
A mini step in the right direction
Whether you’re a regular visitor to the fair that has missed making your annual trip, or someone that is looking for something different to do with the children now that restrictions are easing, we hope that our mini-fair experience is a step towards the good old-fashioned family fun that you were accustomed to pre-pandemic.
Booking is easy, you can reserve your session on our Carters Mini FunFair page. Just choose the date you would like to visit and use the drop-down option to select which Adventure you would like to book.
If you have any questions about the experience we have a full set of FAQS online.
