Great Dorset Steam Fair Reviews

Can't recommend this enough - absolutely brilliant day out for all the family BUT remember it's a full on day of walking !

The best day out ever, I don't have words to Express the the scale, smell, or the atmosphere of the show it was fantastic , the food was second to none even if it wasn't on the menu if they could it wasn't any problem to make and unlike a lot of shows the price of food and market stalls were very competitive. Well done to all the staff/volunteers for making it special.

Great place to visit need more than a day to see it all

so many types of food drink and there is so much to do. even if it is a day trip you will have the time of your life!

A great show shame the camping was sold out so couldn't see everything

Lovely place to explore and spend quality time with family.

Probably too many food outlets and not enough crafts. A very hot day with little shade. Still a very good show

Absolutely appalling so far

I get the 08:15 bus from Salisbury having left home at 0530 to get here In time to have a good day out all I've seen is the A bloody 354
And your down for the day it's a big chunk out of your day here to enjoy.
I've been on this almost 2 and a half hours now on this bus surely you should have some better way of doing things

Like a car banned from site and have a cark park 5 10 miles away with a park and ride shuttle bus etc

My first time here and i don't think I'll be back unless u think about to poor people who are stuck in traffic.

A brilliant day out. It seems like the jumble is getting smaller every year but regardless it's enjoyable. Whatever the weather you can have a good day. Our feet hurt by the end of the day. We love it.

Very big, so much to see and do. Although I think the entrance fees could be reduced!

This year unfortunately completely planned management! After the well-known, somewhat longer journey, you had to queue for more than an hour to get day tickets! Then you were directed into the next line to come to the actual mass. It was much faster, but it was annoying. The fair has meanwhile completely deviated from the topic of steam engines (even if 500 steam tractors were there this year). A lot of WW1 and WW2 stuff, umpteen food carts / stalls, fairground equipment, mainly professional sellers for all kinds of crap (showers and bathroom furnishings, for example), etc. But only a small flea market and a few standing steam engines. The fair has completely lost its charm and chat character! Even die-hard fans and bars found it anything but nice this year!

Terrible traffic problems. Disabled car parking a joke, buses ran from car park to a field a long walk from entrance. Toilets seen but not used. Organisers need to address where buses drop off passengers the walk was not explained or the fault of the drivers who where doing a difficult job with no support from anyone.

Just love this place , so glad they have brought it forward , just wish there were more places to sit dotted round the whole complex, next time we would go much later and stay through until the evening.

Just the most amazing place to go & spend a few days. The sights, sounds & smells of the past in 1 amazing show over acres of fields...

Gigantic - not to say with words - the experience !!!!!!

Lots to see here. Well maintained site. Lots of clean toilets. Plenty of food choices.

Just had most fantastic week there worth every penny

Badly organized parking ruined it for us loads if trouble with pikies

The great dorset steam fair, brilliant show its a must, but go early as there is lots to see and do. Plenty of food and drink of all kinds. See the Traction engines put through there paces and pulling power. lots of stalls and other attractions such as military vehicles,farming, tractor pulls, crafting and much more not forgetting lots of fairground rides . My wife and I go every year and really enjoy it. Tickets can be obtained on the day or as i do go on line easyier and cheaper. You can also camp or caravan/ motor home at the show over the time it on. In the evening there are live shows on and of course the big fair, so it dont just stop with the daytime show, there is also night time atractions. All in all its a show not to be missed. Be prepared to do alot of walking can be muddy in wet weather and dry and dusty in good weather. So what ever the weather get yourself there and enjoy. The Great Dorset Steam Fair has my vote.

A must go attraction for everyone even just interested in history. Plenty of steam engines and carrussels operated on steam.

And it has those strange pipe organs everywhere. All gives an idea what the industrial revolution looked like at the brink.

We took our 3 year old and he was md about the horses and engines and train rides and all.

It s a huge festival every year. You ought to go at least once and smell the oil in the air....

Great show and a vast amount of stuff to see and do. You will need more than a day to see even a fraction of the exhibits on show, both static and mobile!
Only spoiled by the toilet facilities and bad weather on the Sunday.

A great place to go out whether it's for a day or a week camping holiday. The many rides and large variety of food will satisfy your every need. Not including the many exhibitions; WWI, WWII and last but certainly not least the steam exhibition all your favourite engines are here from Burrels to Aveling and porter engines!

Needs to seen to be believed. A fantastic celebration of all things steam and a whole more. Suits all ages plenty to see and do. Fantastic foods to sample. Beer tents with Live music.

Very poor. Organisation was awful, toilets were absolutely dreadful and the campsite was abysmal. I've been several years before and it was great, won't be back again though.
Truly awful.

Great show huge collection of everything. Toilets were yuck. Parking awfull so was getting out.

Very poor parking was a nightmare seemed to be more concerned on camping and vans rather than foot traffic won't go again, will got to the Dorset show instead. Toilets were disgusting worst year ever get yourselfs sorted guys

It's just the biggest and the best, it's just too big for one day.

Mind blowing event. Generally good organisation. Quick response to cope with wet conditions when the rain came.
Only niggle was toilets to cope with the masses. Camping site toilets started well but cleaning frequency slackened and missed on last day spoiling the previous efforts. Should be investigated

The kind of place where I would only go to once every few years. Its a huge walk from the car park to the fair itself, so unless you are camping be aware of this. Very busy, and set off early as the traffic is horrendous. Once you get in there's a huge amount to see and do though, and I love that coal and steam smell.

Incredible event!!! Don t miss 2018 the 50th Anniversary Show! It s going to be EPIC! #500@50

Good family fun, decent bands, great local ales & cider, a fun event

Increasingly expensive and lacking in organisation this year. Horrendous parking delays which spoilt the day.

The largest show I have ever been too Barr none. So much to see and do, a great day out and if camping endless music and cider for all.

Love this event been going 10 years now and never get bored of it

I have been visiting the Great Dorset Steam Fair for the last seven years. I must say, this place is awesome. Every time I've been I've never been disappointed. There is so much to do and see here you will need to spend at least 2 day wondering around. Appropriate clothing and footware should be taken into consideration depending on the weather report. Generally speaking, for the last seven years it's been predominantly dry. I would 100 percent recommend

great atmosphere will continue to keep coming
many thanks to the security guys in the land rovers super helpful and polite

Should be a 5 star but the Management of the site parking entry locations personnel not knowing or being able to answer questions lack of signs to help the massive influx being expected due to kown numbers of tickets already prepurchased. This is our second visit from down under and this year's debacle make us seriously think this will be our last time here. This is the way to go about killing off what has been touted the best in the world steam fair. One would hope the rumbles from this year will be.noticed. Maybe next year the ticket sales will tell all. If I were paying for this rubbish called organisation I would want a refund. Walk 500m down to a gate from the car park only to walk back 400m to the path which idiot thought this was good for business

50 years and still going strong , this was our third time going to the fair and its gets better every time . If you love steam this is a must for you !

Brilliant as always. Maybe a little quieter this year.

I have been coming 23 years and I still love it here, it's brilliant

Had such a great few days here, next year definitely going to book again and stay longer

I have left one star off because of the portloo"s this year.I think they must of used another company,
Because the loo's aren't never as bad as this year.(awful) Never saw the ones in the disabled camp site cleaned once. They where emptyed.
But as for the rest everything is great and well organised

Victim of its own success? Can't fault the show itself but dreadful queues to get in and even worse to get out - from a distance we witnessed actual fisty cuffs in the car park. At the very least there should be some sort of traffic management to get out of the single lane exit.

Very Steamy still enjoyed the good shows and selections of food and souvenirs

very expensive to get in a lot of walking and drinks and food expensive

Absolutely something to interest anyone..best in 30 yrs of attending..over 500 engines what a sight. Midnight steam up fantastic nostalgia

Brilliant day. Lots to see and do. Great choice of food and drink. Lost a star due to very little seating provided around the site.

Fantastic experience. Never seen so many traction engines in one place. Massive site; bags of events and entertainment for all the family and very dog friendly. Cuisine available to suit all tastes and allergies. A wonderful experience to be always remembered.

Amazing! Rides were really expensive! Extremely packed!!

The best place on earth, where time stands still, wouldn't miss it for the world

Best show in the country.6 beer tents ,fair ground,acres of steam engines, cars,rural scene,military WW1 trenches. About 650 acre site.2018 will be the 50th show.

I've reviewed this before and it's still a highlight of the year for me. I'd like to camp for a couple of nights but need a caravan!! The sights, the smells, the tastes, the sounds. It's all an assault on your senses but such a great experience each and every time I go. Not sure I'd struggle with a wheelchair because of the uneven and sometimes stoney ground. I also hate portaloos, always have and always will