Blog | Special Events

Beer Festival – EVENT CANCELLED!

It is with great regret that the decision has been taken to cancel the Beer Festival planned for the last weekend in July.  Both the organisers and Hollycombe are sorry this decision had to be made due to the current tight economic climate. It is hoped that the event can be rescheduled later in the year or early next.

Sun shines on Miniature gathering

The sun shone on the weekend of 12th & 13th May – the first time in many weeks! – for the annual 'Steam in Miniature' gathering at Hollycombe. Only open to the public on the Sunday, the day included a line up of many of the engines outside Hollycombe's visitor centre, and close to the Allen ploughing engine which was on display ot the public for the first time since being repainted. All Hollycombe's road engines were in steam as well, making this a truly 'steamy weekend'. A gathering of classic Riley cars added to the attractions on the Sunday.

Canterbury Tales comes to Hollycombe

A special performance of Canterbury Tales Made Modern will be held in the beautiful Woodland Gardens at Hollycombe in the early evening of Sunday 15th July, just after the end of steaming for the day. Tickets to the performance will be available shortly either from Hollycombe of from the production company. More details shortly.

'Canterbury Tales Made Modern' is a play that holds an annual 'Chaucer' story telling competition, the wittiest competition ever! Based on the stories of the Pilgrims from Southwark who are on their way to visit the shrine of Thomas A Becket in Canterbury, each tell a tale to entertain the others on their way.

The audience is encouraged to vote on the quality and substance of the stories and after each story is acted out, the audience are asked to vote and choose a winner! Chaucer's timeless stories are paralleled into modern life, with the pilgrims being played by Woodstock hippies, in search of 'enlightenment', horses are exchanged for campervans and romany caravans, medieval robes for flares and rose tinted sunglasses.

Bacchae actors cleverly portray the characters with truth of character and wit as expected with some skullduggery along the way!!!

The Pardoner's Tale - Cunning geezer meets his match!

The Miller's Tale - Philandering Nicholas tries his tricks!

The Nun's Priest's Tale - Fiesty fox meets cheeky chicken!

The Cook's Tale - The revelling thieving Peterkin!

The Wife of Bath's Tale - A deceiving knight tricks an old hag! and more.........................

A production for the whole family to enjoy together; bring your chair and your picnic and be ready to be entertained!!! 'Canterbury Tales will take the form of a competition. Each will tell a tale, and at the end you the audience will be asked to show your appreciation by means of the clapometer.................

Tickets are now available (Adults £10, Concessions £8, Children £5) are available from the Ticketscript website: https://shop.ticketscript.com/channel/web2/start-order/rid/GZ5D4D65/language/en

Last few chances to enjoy Hollycombe this year!

Saturday 22nd October is the last open evening at Hollycombe.

Don't miss the chance to come along and enjoy two more daytime openings on Sundays 9th & 16th October.

If you haven't experienced the steam fair in the dark, you've missed a unique experience! There's nothing like the sounds and smells of a steam-driven fair at night, so come along and experience it before it's too late to do so this year! Once you've paid to come in, all rides are free too!

Saturdays 15th & 22nd October have a ghostly theme with a Halloween flavour. It's nothing serious, just a bit of extra fun!

Wall of Death at Fairground Weekend

For the first time ever, Hollycombe will feature a Wall of Death during the Fairground Weekend 23rd and 24th July 2011 and 40th Anniversary Weekend 30th and 31st July.

A visit to the Wall of Death fulfills the need for excitement, satisfies a lust for danger. The spectacle of ever present danger, bravado coupled with the inevitable anticipation that something may go wrong as the artists cling to their machines, steering them with their feet, sitting sideways, backwards and forwards breaking down the forces of gravity.

Please note there will be a small additional charge to watch this attraction.