Classic transport displays, trains and a traditional funfair will help turn Chatham’s Historic Dockyard into the place to be this Easter weekend.

The annual Festival of Steam and Transport will give enthusiasts the chance to see steam and diesel locomotives at the maritime museum – with a highlight for fans being a daily Giants of Steam parade.

As well as the engines, there will be show-stopping entertainment with live music, street entertainers and comedy.

With trains running all weekend, the two-day event is a chance for visitors to get up close to some of the machines that made Britain great. The line-up of transport through the ages also includes hundreds of classic and vintage vehicles, dating from as early as 1890.

Motion Picture Motors will also be on hand with famous movie motors from the big and small screen, including the Mustang Fastback and Dodge Charger from the 1968 Steve McQueen thriller Bullitt.

Organiser Alana Almond said: “Visitors can have a journey through 400 years of maritime history, our warships, many different galleries and attractions and a two-day festival all on one bill.”

Steeped in history, the dockyard is home to three historic warships, a working Ropery, museum galleries and hundreds of compelling stories. For the festival, there will also be a free, traditional funfair, a petting corner, farmers’ market stalls plus children’s play areas inside and out.

TOP TUNES AT FESTIVAL

Live music and funfair acts will bring the dockyard to life with a riot of colour and sound at the Festival of Steam. Kent acts include Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs, and Justin and the Argonauts, who will both be at the Rochester Sweeps Festival soon, John Doe Blues and Son of Kirk.

Rochester resident Dan Turnbull’s alter ego Funke Dan & The Two Tone Baby will play and folk, roots, acoustic and ceilidh music will complete the festival sounds, with All the King’s Daughters travelling from Holland to play the Monday.

Don’t forget to check out the Steampunk Village with its colourful world of unusual, Neo-Victorian costumes and steam powered wacky gadgets and the Steampunk Morris.

Four-piece Son of Kirk, from Tunbridge Wells, could be described as Indie Folk blending contemporary and traditional themes, and there will be folk dancing, as Licence to Ceilidh add a Scottish flavour and encourage impromptu barn dancing.

CALL THE MIDWIFE

Nostalgic Sunday night TV will come to life over the weekend. The hugely popular BBC period drama Call the Midwife is filmed at the dockyard and there’s an exclusive chance to be taken on a walking tour of the locations used.

The “midwives” will lead visitors through the cobbled dockyard streets, where they can see the period vehicles, washing lines and bicycles and feel part of the 1950s atmosphere.

DRIVE IN DATES

On both days of the festival, movie fans can see a stage production of Grease performed by the Dancing Queen troupe with those well known tunes, and take a taste of the Blues Brothers with the Blueprint Blues Brothers.

The Dancing Queen troupe will also be taking to the stage with disco favourites from Abba and dig out your blue suede shoes for Scott Elvis, performing some of the most popular songs from the rock ‘n’ roll legend’s career.

FESTIVAL OF STEAM DETAILS

The Festival of Steam and Transport will be at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham, on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

For tickets and details visit www.thedockyard.co.uk/steamandtransport