The Great Dorset Steam Fair National Heritage Show

If you are looking for an excellent fun and action packed day out for all the family, you'll love the Great Dorset Steam Fair. Traditionally this English fair is held at the village of Tarrant Hinton, near Blandford Forum in the heart of the beautiful Dorset countryside. Further directions are superfluous. Just find the village on the map, head in that direction and follow everyone else!

From small beginnings this annual event has become one of the favoured places for those interested in how people lived, worked and played in bygone years and it is now widely recognised as "THE" National Heritage Show as well as being regarded as the leading show of its type in the World. The spectacle covers an enormous showground, at over 600 acres being one of Europe's largest outdoor event locations.

2010 sees the show in its 42nd year and will take place from 1st-5th September inclusive. If its heritage related, you'll find it. You can stand amazed at the variety of exhibitions and the sheer scale of the show means that there is always something new to see. For the first time visitor seeing the Great Dorset Steam Fair can be quite an awe inspiring and impressive site, a sea of marquees and attractions that can take your breath for a moment.

Once on site you can watch teaming giants of the past being put through their paces; some hauling hugh loads, others sawing planks or doing the farm work of long ago, such as driving ploughs, threshing or baling. One of the main feaures is the old time steam driven funfair. Annually, over 50 showmen's engines with their gleaming twisted brass can be seen generating the light and power for the old carousels and swingboats to operate. This makes for a fascinating spectacle especially at night where the venue transforms into a magical, electric city. To add to the excitement several of the large fair organs in the main outdoor entertainment area are fronted by authentic 1920's style stage shows with traditional 'Can Can' dancing girl performances and other acts.

Vintage, veteran and classic cars, lorries, military vehicles, tractors, motorcycles and bikes all find a place in the cavalcade and if its possible to fight your way through the crowds to the bottom showfield, you'll find the working heavy horses. Country crafts from thatchers to cider makers and memorabilia collections of all kinds are also well represented. Over 500 trade stands provide an endless variety of goods to purchase. There are also four massive entertainment pavilions and an outdoor concert stage area, each with its own progaramme of live music and its own range of national and local ales/beers. Dine at one of the splendid food stalls across the showground which offer both fast foods and delicacies from a wide choice of traditional and exotic meals or snacks; or you may prefer a rustic cheese plougmans while sampling the delights of a local cider.