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Celebrating 400 years of The Historic Dockyard Chatham and all things steam, the Festival of Steam and Transport will be packed full of family fun on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
Visitors will be able to ride all day on SIX traditional fairground rides – all included in the price of entry to the event!
We all love the vintage funfair rides but do you know their history?...
Chair-O-Planes: A flying carousel of chairs which premiered in Germany in 1972, were present at the earliest amusement parks. Fly high with the sites of the Dockyard skyline in view this Easter weekend!
Dodgems: Introduced in Britain in 1928, the history of dodgems is hard to trace with many similar types through the years – but who doesn’t like to drive around and try and bump into their friends?
Ferris Wheel: If you want a slower paced ride to catch the sites of The Dockyard from above, try out the Ferris Wheel! With recordings of similar rides in the 17th century, the original Ferris Wheel opened in Chicago in 1893 trying to rival the Eiffel Tower. You’ll be sure to see some great views from ours!
Gallopers: Most commonly known as the carousel, this vintage ride emerged from early jousting traditions where knights would gallop in a circle while tossing balls from one to another. By the 18th century, the carousel we all love soon took shape and by the mid-19th century England it was a sure favourite at fairs!
HelterSkelter: Most commonly known as HelterSkelter in the United Kingdom, this amusement ride of a tower with a slide wrapped around, has been named this since 1905. The name comes from an older adverb meaning “in confused, disorderly haste”, and you surely may be in a dizzy state of fun if you ride a lot on this
Swing Boats: Pulling ropes to swing back and forth, this ride is one of the earliest fairground rides common in the Victorian era. Originally powered by hand, steam-driven versions were later introduced in the 1880s.
If you’re reminiscing about these rides or fancy checking them out, then visit The Historic Dockyard Chatham’s Festival of Steam and Transport this Easter for some Festival Fun!
