Scarborough Fair Collection
Private museum of vintage fairground rides, showman's steam engines, mechanical organs and vehicles at Lebberston Cliff near Scarborough.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Scarborough Fair Collection was founded by a local farmer and holiday park owner, Graham Atkinson, who began collecting in the late 1980s because of his passion for fairgrounds. For years it was opened only occasionally to guests of the holiday park and to enthusiasts, and it opened formally to the public in 2008.
The museum is housed on the grounds of the Flower of May Holiday Park, on the coast road between Scarborough and Filey. It is one of the largest collections of its kind in Europe. The core of the collection is showman's steam engines, vintage fairground rides and mechanical organs, supplemented by vintage cars, tractors, motorbikes and other vehicles.
The rides in the collection have been restored and can be ridden for an extra charge, including gallopers, a speedway, waltzer and dodgem cars. The spacious ballroom has a Wurlitzer theatre organ, and weekly programmes of organ music and tea dances are held on the days when the museum is open. A cafe in the ballroom serves refreshments. The museum depends heavily on volunteers, and schools are welcome for visits.
Highlights
- Showman's steam engines, including The Iron Maiden
- Vintage fairground rides that visitors can ride for an extra charge
- Mechanical organs, including a Gavioli concert organ
- "Mighty" Wurlitzer organ in the ballroom with weekly music and tea dances
- Vintage cars, tractors and motorbikes
Permanent exhibitions
- Vintage fairground rides – Restored fairground rides including gallopers, a caterpillar ride, waltzer and dodgems that visitors can ride for an extra charge.
- Showman's steam engines – Showman's engines, a steam wagon and a portable engine that powered travelling fairs.
- Mechanical organs and Wurlitzer – Fairground and dance organs from Europe and a Wurlitzer theatre organ in the ballroom.
- Founded
- 2008
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £9Over 65s |
| Children & teens | £7Child ticket for ages 6 to 16. |
| Seniors | £9Over 65s |
| Groups (31+ people) | £7.80 per personDiscounted rate for coach operators bringing more than 30 visitors; each visitor gets a free ride, and the driver receives free entry and refreshments. |
| Families | £302 adults and up to 2 children. |
Prices for 2026. Rides on the vintage fairground rides are an extra charge; some rides may be unavailable because of maintenance or staffing.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is all on one level, with level access throughout and plenty of room for mobility scooters. Visitors may park directly outside the museum and there is a level drop-off point at the door. An accessible toilet is available, and staff and volunteers can assist. Assistance dogs are welcome; other dogs are not allowed in the museum.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £30 · 2 adults and up to 2 children. |
- Hands-on stations
Family tickets are available, and visitors of all ages can try the vintage fairground rides for an extra charge. Schools are welcome and can book a visit or a guided tour.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Flower of May drive (bus 13)
The nearest railway stations are Filey (2 miles) and Scarborough (6 miles), where taxis are available. The number 13 Coaster bus from Scarborough, Bridlington and Filey stops at the end of the Flower of May drive; the walk to the museum takes about 10 to 15 minutes with a slight uphill gradient.
By car
Free parking
Free tarmac car park next to the museum; coaches turn left into the car park and follow the coach park sign. Ignore signs referring to residents of the holiday park.
Just off the A165, about 6 miles from Scarborough and 2 miles from Filey. Take the road behind the petrol station at the roundabout with the Plough Inn; do not follow sat nav into Lebberston village.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Cafe Fayre in the ballroom serves light refreshments, cakes and afternoon teas, and outside food and drink may not be brought in. There is a gift shop in the reception area and picnic tables outside the entrance.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visitors are advised to allow at least two hours. A visitor guide with the history of the exhibits is available. Schools and coach parties can book visits and guided tours in advance. |
