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The centrepiece at Hollycombe is a complete, working, Edwardian Steam Fairground with everything from gentle rides
for the children to some of the earliest "white knuckle" rides. The atmosphere is completed with
period fairground organs. Hollycombe is the largest Traditional Steam Heritage Fairground in Britain.
Queues are rare, with visitors normally not waiting longer than the next ride !
Click on a photo of a ride to see more photos.
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The Golden Gallopers
This is the classic fairground ride with galloping horses.
Our example is a 3 abreast Steam Gallopers set built c.1912 complete with revolving
mirrored pillars and a Gavioli organ. There are 24 horses, 6 cockerels and 2
chariots for those who don't relish the galloping motion.
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The Razzle Dazzle
Built around 1908 by Howcroft of West Hartlepool, the Razzle Dazzle is regarded as the world's first "White Knuckle" ride.
It is one of the earliest rides to use both rotational and tilting motion and
it was from this that many of the modern rides were developed. Hollycombe has the only surviving example of this ride, and is steam powered.
From time to time, it is our policy to withdraw a fairground ride for a season for a major overhaul. This year it is the turn of the Razzle Dazzle and this ride is not currently operating.
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Dobby Set
Mr Field's Steam Circus is believed to date from the late 1870's making it
the world's oldest surviving mechanically driven fairground ride.
The set of Savage platform horses, or Dobbies, is the forerunner of the
Gallopers which feature the addition of cranked 'galloping' motion of the
horses to the Dobbies' circular motion. The ride is driven by a Savage
steam centre engine and the riders are entertained by an 1880's 62 key Gavioli
trumpet barrel organ.
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The Steam Chair-o-planes
The Chair-o-Planes are another favourite, providing a flying sensation enjoyed by young and old alike.
Our set was originally built, circa 1910, as a set of steam Gallopers and converted into steam Chair-o-planes after a large part was burned as a result of bombing in the second world war.
Minimum height: 1.2m (3ft 11")
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Steam Swing Boats
Our steam swings can be controlled by the rider to provide a swing which is anything from gentle to breathtaking. The ride consists of 6 boats driven
by an overhead line shaft from a 1901 Brown & May portable engine. The riders in each boat pull a rope to control the drive and therefore the height
to which their boat swings.
Minimum height: 1.3m (4ft 3")
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Steam Yacht
The Steam Yacht is an early version of the modern "Pirate Ship" - somewhat smaller, but just as exhiliarating. Built in 1911 it is powered by a
Burrell single crank compound engine which had been converted from a road roller.
Minimum age: 5 years
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The Big Wheel
This is a well known favourite, and the views from the top of ours across the South Downs are spectacular (weather permitting!)
The 50ft tall Big Wheel is back in the fairground after a two year long overhaul and has proved very popular with visitors. The Steam Engine used for this ride was exported to Portugal and the regulator is labelled in Portuguese.
Minimum height: 1.1m (3ft 8"), approximately 5 years.
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Emperor
Built in 1895 by Charles Burrell of Thetford, Emperor is the oldest surviving showman's engine in the world and regularly generates electricity for the fairground's electrical rides.
Emperor's roof shows the
name of its first owner - George Twigdon & Sons of Dunton Basset, Lincs.
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Juvenile Roundabout
Especially for our younger visitors ! Children can ride on a bus, tractor, motorbike, elephant, and other toys - this is always popular !
This ride was built by Orton and Spooner of Burton-On-Trent in 1930 and spent its working life at Chessington Zoo in Surrey until purchased by Hollycombe in 1985.
Minimum age: 2 years
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Juvenile Dobbies
New for the 2011 season, this ride is a hand powered set of juvenile dobbies ideal for younger children.
Minimum age: 2 years
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Austin Cars
Another ride for our younger visitors. We have a set of five Austin cars built by Supercar in 1948. The ride was purchased from a travelling fairground family in 1986.
Minimum age: 2 years
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Haunted House
Built by Orton and Spooner, this is a classic Edwardian fairground attraction being almost, but not completely, dark inside.
Parents get a chance to be at their scariest !
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Children's Swing Boats
A smaller hand-powered version of the Steam Swing Boats, these are ideal for children to sit and relax - whilst their parents
do the hard work !
The ride was donated to Hollycombe by Pinner School, Middlesex, in the late 1990s.
Maximum age: 10 years
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Children's Chair-o-planes
Hollycombe has two sets of electrically powered children's Chair-o-Planes.
Minimum age: 2 years
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Bioscope
To complete the fairground experience, sit back and relax in the Bioscope as you enjoy a film taken from our selection of the
earliest material in existence. The Bioscope is typical of the travelling shows which brought the very first films to the public.
The Garrett Showmans engine generates electricity for the Bioscope and other rides.
The Bioscope also has a 98 key Marenghi organ which fills the fairground (and this web site !) with lively period music.
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