Nottingham Goose Fair

14/05/2026

We have had the go ahead from the Chairman earlier today!

The countdown to Britains GREATEST Fair starts now!

Nottingham Goose Fair will return to the Forest Recreation Ground from Friday 25th September until Sunday 4th October!

10/05/2026

A couple of weeks ago you might have seen the 1929 map on this page. Today we go back another 30 years into the past from that with this 1899 map.

For the two decades leading up to 1899 steam roundabouts had started increasing in numbers since around 1880 but the shows were still the main feature of Goose Fair. By the time of the final fair in the square in 1927 machines would dominate most of the square.

Some names on this plan will have had a long connection to Goose Fair. Twigdon’s presented their Riding Machine in 1855 which is considered to be the first large roundabout at Nottingham which was hand turned. By the 1880’s he had a steam roundabout.

John and Pat Collins descendants still attend Goose Fair today. Greens would attend Goose Fair until the 1990’s.

Although the stall owners are not named on this map it is likely many could be owned by local Showmen whose families still attend the fair today.

The Old Exchange building would be replaced by the current Council House in 1927.

26/04/2026

Nottingham Goose Fair’s map as it appeared in 1929 the second year the fair was held on the forest.

While the layout has changed and evolved over time you can see see characteristics of the original layout today in places.

01/03/2026

A great video from the BBC Archive broadcast in 1981 of Nottingham Goose Fair

On the first three days of October, well over half-a-million people will cram into Nottingham's ancient Goose Fair. Dennis McCarthy goes behind the lights, t...

25/01/2026

Scottish Showman Raymond Codona presented many different rides at Nottingham Goose Fair in his time including this Wave Sw***er at the 2002 fair.

24/01/2026

Nottingham Goose Fair at dusk as the lights come on looking towards part B of the ground in 2002.

Due to the on going tram works at the time much of the main ground had been moved into part B. Compared to the single centre row the area has now there was a double row of attractions tightly packed in.

At the back you an see M&D's White Water Log Flume, Wilson's Booster, & Superbowl, Mesham's Superbob, Evans Miami, Mellors Bungee Jump, Holland's Waltzer, Hollands Matterhorn, Reeves Bungee, going back up the row Dailey's Fun House, Percival's Twist, Crow's Equinox, Holland's Dragon, Proctors Dodgem, Codona's Wave Sw***er, Noyce's Gallopers.

On the front row Hollands Dodgem, Silcock's Matterhorn, Mellors Big Ben, Wallis's Sea Storm, Cox's Jump & Smile, Harris's Dodgem.

In 2004 many of these positions would move back to their orginal positions but some that had been moved from near Noel Street remained in part B along with some of the displaced floating positions from the main ground.

10/01/2026

Did you know the opening of Nottingham Goose Fair dates back to 1634?

The tradition did stop at some point early in the 20th century but was revived after World War 1 in 1919 in its present form.

In years gone by a stage would have been built for the ceremony near the main Gregory Boulevard entrance but these days takes place on the Giant Wheel platform.

19/12/2025

Not long until Christmas now. We will like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy new year

We will look forward to seeing you all back at Nottingham Goose Fair next September!

15/12/2025

John Bagnall accepting the best new or improved ride or attraction award at Nottingham Goose Fair for Apollo 13 last year

Apollo 13

14/12/2025

Official Silcocks Fun Fairs classic Maxwell built Waltzer at the 2004 Nottingham Goose Fair. The Waltzer still feature's it's birdcage top and is one of the few Waltzers to still have this feature.