Established: 1294
Address: Forest Recreation Ground
Forest Road
Nottingham
Tel: N/A
Website:www.nottinghamgoosefair.co.uk
Visited: October 2001

The Park

Pay-By-Ride: +2

Firstly, let me say that the date at the top for when the park was established is not an error! It really did start in 1294; though you don't get any prizes for realising that there weren't any coasters back then! It's believed that the event originated when geese were driven into Nottingham to be sold at markets; records exist that date these markets back to the thirteenth century, but it is possible that the fair is even older! Since the words "fair" and "market" were used interchangeably, it was soon known as the Goose Fair. The first rides - Merry-Go-Rounds - appeared in 1829; and since then inumerable circus acts, performers and shows, together with modern rides, have all led to what we have today; one of the largest travelling fairs in Europe.

At least half-a-dozen travelling fairs bring their rides to the Goose Fair, meaning that despite it's boasting over 100 attractions, there are about 6 Waltzers, 2 Big Wheels, 3 Bungee Ejectors.....you get the picture. However, having so many rides does keep queues down to an almost non-existant level, even during the evening when the fair is packed. As far as prices are concerned, it isn't cheap, with the average ride being £2 - £3 per person. Given the large number of attractions though, this can soon mount up to a high level.

Being a travelling fair also means that loading and unloading is achieved with an efficiency that has to be seen to be believed. Before a ride has even stopped the restraints are all unlocked so people can be practically thrown out ready for the new riders. Most of the flat rides managed to unload and load in under a minute; the Frisbee crew managed it in 45 seconds on one occasion. A few Six Flags parks could learn something, that's for sure!

The Coasters

Jamming

Type: Steel, Figure 8
Features: Tyre-Drive, Spinning Cars
Manufacturer: Barbisol
Opened: 1995
Inversions: 0
Ride Time: 1m 30s
Max Speed: 25 mph/ 40 kph
Highest Drop: N/A

Rating: 0

This was an OK coaster; the tyre-drive spiral lift hill led to a figure-8 shaped descent, which returned to the station after a very short time. It provided a couple of good moments when the spinning cars were whipped around near the ground, but it's just as well that we got three trips around the track otherwise it would have ranked alongside Oblivion for lack of length.

Magic Mouse


Type: Steel, Wild Mouse
Features: Mouse Cars, Spinning Cars
Manufacturer: C & G
Opened: N/A
Inversions: 0
Ride Time: 1m 10s
Max Speed: 30 mph/ 50 kph
Highest Drop: 25 ft (7 m)

Rating: +1

This ride was the better roller coaster; a more conventional wild mouse which gained points for two sets of those hairpins which look like they'll send you off the edge of the track, and also for not having any trim brakes at all. Rough, slamming laterals around most of the turns were exacerbated by the spinning of the cars during the second half of the ride; this was especially noticeable on the final two corners before the station, which are taken extremely fast. It is also reasonably long for a wild mouse model; indeed probably longer than some permenant coasters at established parks.

Other Rides

Rollercoasters are not the main draw at the Goose Fair. Instead, it is the myriad of flat and thrill rides that draw the crowds. You can choose the Frisbee (+1), Chaos (+1), which is a sort of inverted Frisbee, and the Orbitor (0) very fast-spinning ride. There is also the Terminator (0) top-spin, Over-Rider (0) magic carpet, Crazy Shake (+1), which isn't as nauseous as it appears, and the Top Buzz (-1), which in my opinion is.

There is also the Cancaru (0) backwards spinning ride, Stargate (0), which spun so fast upside down it became the most intense ride I've ever ridden, Flashdance, (+1) which is a circular platform that spins and moves up and down, but has no restraints at all! Some people were being thrown from one side to the other, others were losing their shoes; I'd be amazed if there wasn't at least one broken bone every night. However, I loved it because it's great to see rides like that in today's litagous climate.

Add in a log flume, the Whitewater (0), which is short, but you have to cut it some slack as it's transportable, several fun houses, a power tower, two big wheels and three bungee ejector seats, and you can easily fill 4 hours, making it a great way to spend an evening. It's always held in the first weekend of October, and the preceding Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, so if you're near Nottingham during that time I'd highly recommend a visit!

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Andy Rathe