Fun-Fair & Entertainments

The Rowell Fair Society - Drone shot of Rothwell town

2022’s Fair

© Graham Butlin – Rowell Fair (2022)

Added: 24th July, 2022

2023’s Fair

© Graham Butlin – Rowell Fair (2023)

Added: 12th June, 2023

Our thanks to Graham Butlin for his Drone footage above! 👍. Please note: There is no soundtrack
For more of Graham’s work on this website, take a look at our Proclamation Monday page.

The Rowell Fair itself is a week-long celebration and includes traditional events. The Fair takes over the town centre with fairground rides, street entertainment, live bands, food and a range of stands and exhibitors.

Father and child on ride at the Rothwell Fair

Show-Family Night

Takes place on the Wednesday evening before the Rowell Fair and is hosted by the Rowell Fair Society.


Its aim is to welcome the Show-people and their families and to share memories with Fair films from the past.

The Rowell Fair - Mother and Daughter enjoying fairground ride

The Fair opens at 2pm on the Saturday before the Proclamation and is open into the evening.

On the Trinity Sunday there is a Civic Service at Trinity Church followed by a civic parade in the town centre at 1:45pm and a Blessing of the Fair in the fairground, after which the Fair opens.

The Fair then opens weekday evenings and Saturday afternoon and evening.

It’s then up early on Proclamation Monday morning for the reading of the ancient Charter.

Steeped in tradition…

The Rowell Fair - Old black and white closeup photo of fairground

…with an eye on the future!

Raymond Pearson – Euro Flyer

Some of the families that make up the travelling fun fair have been coming to Rowell Fair for over 100 years. Many of the show people look forward to coming to Rothwell as they are warmly welcomed.

Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
Harry Furborough – Magic Kingdom
Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
William Thurston – The Waltzer
Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
Stephen Holland – Holland’s
Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
Mark Thurston
Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
Charlie Appleton – Hi Energy
Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
Charlie Appleton – Runaway Train
Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
Charlie Appleton
Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
William Thurston
Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
John Holland – Test Track
Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
Stephen Holland – Rifle Range
Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
Stephen Holland (Jnr) – Kidz Karz
Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
Joe Summers – Jungle Fever
Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
Raymond Pearson – It’s Fun and Games
Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
Joe Summers – Jungle Guns
Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
Charles Gooch – Teacups
Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
William Wood
Fun-Fair photos at the Rowell Charter Street Fair
Stephen Holland – The Cakewalk

Our thanks to Martin Cooper from Fair-Pix.com for the excellent photos! 👍👍

Fair Attractions – then and now (ish!)

Uploaded: Sunday, 4th September, 2022
Our thanks to Edd Hirst

This document that was featured on our previous Rowell Fair website. With fresh input from Society member, Edd Hirst, we’ve taken the opportunity to re-type it, add in even more information and give it a fresh coat of paint to make it easier to read. It features a chronological list of the Fun-Fair Attractions starting with the year, 1906.

Cover of the List of Fun-Fair Attractions

Download a copy by clicking HERE (377k)

If anyone can help us fill some of gaps in this really important document,
drop us a line HERE.

Model Show

If the real thing isn’t exciting enough, there is also a Model Show at nearby Tresham Hall!

Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
MPC Model Amusements
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
MPC Model Amusements
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
MPC Model Amusements
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Dave Wilson
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Dave Wilson
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Dave Wilson
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Keith Hansell
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Stuart Dainty
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Stuart Dainty
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Bert Horobin
Exhibit from the Model Show
Bert Horobin
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Mick Reynolds
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Mick Reynolds
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Carl Barlow
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Carl Barlow
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Carl Barlow
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Carl Barlow
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Paul Beeston
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Paul Beeston
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Andrew Grover
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Chris Partridge
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Chris Partridge
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Pete Drew
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Pete Drew
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
John Molden
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Dave Springthorpe
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Simon Brazil
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
John Bland
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
John Bland
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
John Bland
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Mick Reynolds
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Stan Savage
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Paul Needham
Exhibit at the Rowell Charter Street Fair Model Exhibition
Simon Brazil

Again, our thanks to Martin Cooper from Fair-Pix.com for these pictures! 😊

…and if all the fun of the Fair has you wanting more fun, don’t forget that the Fair Week also features…

Street entertainment & Street food

Vintage/Classic Car Show and other vehicles

Viking re-enactments

Many pubs featuring live bands

See you there!!! 👍