Roll up, roll up to a great day out at the Scarborough Fair Collection…The Scarborough Fair Collection hosts a magnificent working collection of Vintage Cars, Steam Engines, Vintage Fairground Rides and Mechanical Organs topped off with a ‘Mighty’ Wurlitzer Organ in the spacious ballroom where you can enjoy music and cake!
Located at the Flower of May Holiday Park, on the coast road between Scarborough and Filey, this is a great trip out on a day with a dodgy weather forecast. You can even tie it in with a swim as their swimming pool is open to the public and shares the same car park.
Eliza and I popped in for a visit – it was brilliant. The collection is well spread out and all indoors. There is plenty of space for children to explore and look at the collection. There is something for everyone and it is amazing to see these old machines still in working order, looking so perfect.
We had a lovely time, we enjoyed the rides and walking round the old vehicles, generally spotting things. Once you have paid to get in, some of the rides are free and you just ask the very helpful staff if you can have a go. Others cost £1 for over 5s and operate at specific times. Everything is laid back with no pressure and no queuing. We also enjoyed watching a few to see how they worked.
Some of the rides are familiar but others were something completely new – the Cake Walk, for example, was new for us both and caused a lot entertainment. These fairground rides are originals, they have been restored and preserved for future generations to see and older generations to reminisce about! It is a lovely day out for all generations and perfect for the grandparents to bring the younger ones.
The Caterpillar Ride, I am led to believe, is one of only 2 remaining. We had no idea as to what was going to happen – one minute we were racing along (very fast) giggling and the next, the canopy came over leaving us in semi dark! Eliza was a touch perturbed but the excitement of the ride won through! Please make sure you sit children to the inside on this ride as gravity forces all the occupants of the car outwards!
Our favourite was the 1930’s Noah’s ark roundabout. I for one, thought it went incredibly fast! The detail on the animals is amazing, there are crocodiles, zebras, giraffes, cockerels, camels, dogs, polar bears, lobsters, goats and many more.
For me, the ultimate vintage fairground ride is a carousel, the Golden Galloping Horses is beautiful and was lovely. There is also a Ghost train and of course Dodgems. I let Eliza steer…wow, I was pleased she wasn’t driving home! I used to love the Dodgems as a little girl and clearly she does too! We had lots of giggles in the “hall of mirrors” on the way in and out!
These lovely fairground rides are interspersed with beautifully maintained vintage cars, tractors, motor bikes, steam engines and other types of memorabilia including working Penny Slot Machines!
Eliza and I had a wonderful time. This was innocent fun, learning about beautiful machines stretching back over the last century or so. There is space for kids to explore and wander whilst being completely enclosed and safe. One thing that really struck me was the amazing sounds and colours. There is always some music playing. The whole collection is in beautiful condition and looks nearly new!
A day out would not be complete without cake! There is a lovely cafe in the massive ballroom for drinks and food (sandwiches and cake). The chocolate brownie was amazing! Here, there are regular tea dances (every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon) to the ‘Mighty’ Wurlitzer Organ which is a great spectacle for the kids.
As you looked around, there were nothing but smiling faces – kids and adults having a great time, experiencing things for the first time or reminiscing about yesteryear. Definitely one that you can encourage the grandparents to be involved in, with or without yourselves! It is a perfect activity for a rainy day as all under cover but not crammed in.
Open until 3rd November 2019, Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm. They’re also open on Bank Holiday Mondays. No dogs (except accessibility dogs). All on one level. Do allow two to three hours for your visit but feel free to stay all day. Free accessible car park. Schools are particularly welcome in the museum. They will find out how show men used to live, learn how a pipe organ works, experience what a disco was like 100 years ago and ride on the ‘Golden Galloping Horses’.
Flower of May Holiday Park, Lebberston Cliff, Scarborough, Y011 3NU
Tel: 01723 586698
info@scarboroughfaircollection.com
Adults £7.75
Seniors £6.75
Children £5.25
Family Ticket- 2 Adults and up to 4 children £22.00
^Advertising feature, for the purpose of this review, we did have free entry but this would never sway me from giving my honest opinion.
