This article originates from the now defunct Joyland Books Exhibition Hall and was online for one month only in September 2000. There was also a CD-ROM released in 2001 featuring this exhibition, which featured some additional photographs. This gallery is the extended 2001 CD-ROM version.

Introduction: 'The Wonder of the Gallopers' by Nick Laister For many, a visit to one of the UK’s amusement parks is all about riding the biggest, the fastest or the best. But amusement park visitors this year are being asked to take a closer look at something that we all take for granted: the innocent Carousel. The Year 2000 has been designated ‘The International Year of the Carousel’, and the UK is one of the best places in the world to see these vintage rides. The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has kick-started the campaign, which aims to raise the profile of these machines around the world, whilst raising valuable money for charity. In the first half of this century, Gallopers (as traditional carousels are known in the UK) were without a doubt the centre-piece of the travelling fair; huge, beautiful steam-driven machines accompanied by the distinctive sound of the fairground organ. In the second half of the Twentieth Century, however, gallopers slowly began to disappear from travelling fairs. Children’s tastes had apparently moved on; they wanted to ride fast, spinning rides, machines that would turn them upside down, and take them high into the air. Rides like the Waltzer, Ark/Speedway, Twist and Meteorite would draw people in their thousands. It seemed that the simple pleasure of the carousel was on the wane. That is where the permanent amusement parks came in. Some of the most beautifully preserved historical machines can now be seen at parks across the UK, and in the International Year of the Carousel, it is well worth seeking them out. Vintage Carousels can be found at Drayton Manor Park in Staffordshire, Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Lancashire, Flamingo Land in Yorkshire, Ocean Beach at Rhyl in North Wales, and Dreamland at Margate in Kent, which has no less than two full size vintage gallopers. There are many more, too many to mention in this short article, but this exhibition is an attempt to capture just a small part of the fantasy and wonder that the carousel represents. In this special year, we take you on a tour of a selection of the best gallopers at British amusement parks and theme parks, many of which are so often overlooked. We even feature some of the country's best juvenile gallopers and their modern derivatives.

New photo: Gallopers at Pleasure Beach, Blackpool.

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Bayside Fun Park, Bridlington

Tightly packed in amongst the fairground rides on this Bridlington seafront park is this beautiful set of gallopers. The park was until recently known as Carousel Park, and for good reason. It has been home to two sets of gallopers over the years, the most recent of which is photographed here.

 

 

 

 

Built in 1920 by Savages, this machine is now heavily altered. Besides travelling the fairs, the ride was also at Coney Beach Amusement Park in Porthcawl for many years. It arrived in Bridlington in 1994, and has recently been advertised for sale. Unless replaced, this would be a great loss to Bridlington's sea front.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hidden amongst the latest thrill rides at this popular east coast amusement park, Bottons' current set of Gallopers still catches the eye.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Closer examination reveals this beautiful set of juvenile Gallopers.

 

 

 

 

Butlin's, Bognor Regis

Butlin's, Bognor Regis has seen many changes over the past few years, changing to Southcoast World and then to its latest guise as a Family Entertainment Resort. One thing that has stayed constant is the presence of this set of Gallopers. Built in the late 1800s, it has operated at this park since 1960.

 

 

Butlin's, Skegness

 

This imposing machine, located by the entrance to one of the world's biggest roller coasters, is only a relatively recent addition to Britain's most-visited tourist attraction. Previously located at the Golden Mile Centre, a huge indoor funfair on Blackpool's sea front, it was purchased by the Pleasure Beach and installed at the Pleasure Beach-owned Frontierland Western Theme Park at Morecambe, before moving to its present location in Blackpool.

 

 

Whilst not a set of gallopers, Blackpool Pleasure Beach's Derby Racer is a magnificent machine with galloping horses. Opened in 1959, it was based on a similar ride in Toronto, and built completely in-house by the Pleasure Beach over a period of 2 years. The Pleasure Beach takes the concept of galloping horses to the limit: the park also features a roller coaster which you ride on carousel-style horses!

 

 

Children's Village Fun Fair, Rhyl

Drayton Manor Park, Tamworth

Drayton Manor has been a popular day out for residents of the Midlands since 1949, and this set of Gallopers has been delighting the park's visitors for almost as many years.

 

 

 

 

 

The 3-abreast Drayton Manor Gallopers were built by Savages, and were originally operated at the park by Shipleys, who ran Drayton Manor's original funfair.

 

 

 

 

Fantasy Island, Ingoldmells

There has been a funfair at the Eastgate Holiday Centre for many years, but in 1996 it became 'The Magical World of Fantasy Island', an indoor and outdoor theme park. Hidden amongst the huge supports of the Millennium Coaster is this attractive set of Gallopers.

 

 

 

 

Appearances are deceptive. This colourful machine in the traditional gallopers style was actually new in 1996 from Tommy Matthews. It is the sister machine to the Gallopers at Barry Island Pleasure Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Anchor Leisure Ltd, the owner of this park, has spent millions of pounds investing in new rides and attractions over the past five years. The world's biggest suspended looping roller coaster has now been announced for the site. It is pleasing to see from this photograph of the organ that attention to detail has not been forgotten.

Flamingo Land, Malton

 

 

 

 

 

In 1999, the Gallopers were located in a less prominent position by the Zoo. Previously this machine was located at the nearby Butlin's, Filey (which closed in 1983), and as can be seen from this 1999 photograph, the ride still bears the original name of Flamingo Land: "Flamingo Park".

 

 

 

 

 

For the year 2001, the gallopers have moved yet again, and look impressive in their new home amongst the roller coasters in the heart of the theme park.

Without a doubt the saddest amusement park story of the past twenty-five years is that of Frontierland. This lively, historic park, with a mixture of attractions old and new, finally reached the end of its natural life in 1999, and is to be redeveloped. The biggest loss is that of the sixty-year-old wooden roller coaster the Texas Tornado, which has now been demolished. The photograph above, taken in 1999, shows the pavilion which, up until a few months before the photo was taken, was home to a Carousel.