October 15, 2026

Category: Ride features

In-depth features covering fairground rides from around UK funfairs, exclusively from World’s Fair.

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Ride features

Inferno: Thurston’s red-hot Super Trooper

Owen Ralphby Owen Ralph

Super Troopers have enjoyed something of a comeback in recent years, yet until now they’ve all appeared rather similar. Breaking the mould is the new ride gracing the run of Stanley Thurston & Sons. With three-seater cars reminiscent of fire engines, red arms covered in …

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Ride features

Time for the UK’s tallest Star Flyer: Big Ben Tower

World's Fairby World's Fair

Star Flyers have been a UK fairground favourite for over a decade. As the nation welcomes its first 80 metre-tall version, Owen Ralph highlights the growth – in size and popularity – of such attractions. A glistening centrepiece, even shinier then than refurbished clock tower that houses …

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Ride features

Psycho: a Loop Fighter with all the extras

Owen Ralphby Owen Ralph

Alex Crow’s Psycho certainly caught thrill seekers’ eyes on Newcastle Town Moor in June, when it was one of two major new rides at the Hoppings. The fifth Technical Park Loop Fighter to enter the UK in 13 years, the attraction was fresh out of …

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Interviews / Ride features

The Rides of My Life: James Harris

World's Fairby World's Fair

After starting out his travelling career with a mini Octopus, Eastern Counties Showman James Harris has amassed a solid stable of attractions that he and his wife Martha tour with their children James Jnr and Amelia, largely to their own fairs. Paratrooper My first big …

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Ride features

The Rides of My Life: Stanley Reeves Jnr

Owen Ralphby Owen Ralph

When he was growing up, Stanley Reeves Jnr’s parents Stanley and Debbie travelled a Roller Ghoster and fun house far and wide before diversifying into simulators and reverse bungees, the second of which Stanley Jnr still travels today. This is the young Showman’s story. Starting …

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Interviews / Ride features

The Rides of My Life: Billy Whitelegg

World's Fairby World's Fair

Former Showmen’s Guild president Billy Whitelegg and his wife Louise started travelling a hoopla stall in the 1950s, given to them by Billy’s mother Daisy Whitelegg. Further games followed before they bought a juvenile that ended being sold to the most unusual of places. The …

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Ride features

On the road again: GT Tuby’s ‘Ex-Mayor’

Malcolm Farrellyby Malcolm Farrelly

Following extensive restoration, the Burrell Showman’s steam engine previously owned by GT Tuby celebrated its 100th birthday by embarking on a tour of King’s Lynn, Leeds and Doncaster. Following six years of hard work and restoration and having attended the opening of King’s Lynn Mart on …

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Ride features

Matthews family takes the plunge with UK’s tallest drop tower

Owen Ralphby Owen Ralph

London Section Showman Tom Matthews Jnr is set to tour the UK with his sky high Freefall thrill ride in 2025 following a successful appearance over the festive season in Glasgow. Named simply Freefall, the 80 metre (over 250 ft!) tall attraction is the first …

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Ride features

The Rides of My Life: John Bagnall

World's Fairby World's Fair

Since the turn of this century, the Bagnall family have progressed from operating games to owning one of the UK’s tallest travelling thrill rides. John Thomas Bagnall tells us how they got there. Early Years When I was a lad, my dad (the late John …

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Ride features

The Rides of My Life: Remembering Thomas Wilmot

World's Fairby World's Fair

We kick off Rides of my Life for a third year with a special edition dedicated to the late Thomas Wilmot, who passed away in December 2023. Here his younger son Josh tells us about the rides he operated in Scotland and Ireland, and the …

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