Where the magic of steam brings the past to life
Fun for all the family!
Dogs on leads welcome
Situated in the South Downs National Park, Hollycombe is home to Britain's largest collection of working steam
Hollycombe is one of Britain’s largest collections of steam offering visitors a nostalgic look at how the Victorians and Edwardians used steam as an instrument of work and play, and featuring a number of popular fairground sideshows of the period.
With steam-driven rides such as the Golden Gallopers, Steam Swingboats and Steam Chair-o-Planes, a trip to Hollycombe offers visitors both nostalgia and a frisson of excitement!
After enjoying the rides visitors can sit back and relax in the Bioscope – a pre-cursor to the modern cinema, typical of the travelling shows which first brought film to the public – or reflect on themselves with a walk through an original Hall of Mirrors.
The fun doesn’t end there as we invite you to sit back and enjoy a ride on a steam-train on one of our railways. The Narrow-Gauge Railway takes in breath-taking views over the South Downs, or ride our Garden Railway that is nestled between the Fairground and the Woodland Gardens.
Festival of Mechanical Music
20/09/2025 - 21/09/2025
A celebration of all things mechanical music
See Hollycombe's atmosphere come alive as we indulge your senses with a variety of music. A real hit of nostalgia that will put a skip in your step and leave you smiling from ear to ear. Leave your worries behind and come and enjoy the excitement and fun of the fair.
Visiting fairground organs, street organs, busker organs, mechanical music boxes and performers will delight alongside our fairground and railways.
A very special event not to be missed.
FAQs
Q: Is there visitor camping?
A: Unfortunately, we cannot offer visitor camping at this time but we are looking at ways to do so in the future.
Q: How do we register to exhibit?
A: Please email info@hollycombe.co.uk
Q: Are dogs allowed?
A: Absolutely, well behaved dogs on leads are very welcome.
Q: Can we get in before to look around the show?
A: The gates will only open at the advertised time and there is nowhere to wait, you will end up in a queue in your car so we recommend planning journey times carefully. Saturday we open at 4pm, Sunday at 11am.
Q: What time do you close?
A: We close at 10pm on the Saturday and 5pm on the Sunday.
Q: If I buy entry only can I still ride the train?
A: Entry only doesn't include the train but you can buy tokens in the shop for £2.50.
