The History of the Tavistock Goose Fair
The Tavistock Goose Fair is an annual event that takes place in the market town on the second Wednesday of October. It is one of the three goose fairs in the UK, the others being Nottingham Goose Fair in Nottinghamshire and Michaelmas Goose Fayre in nearby Colyford. The Devon funfair is steeped in history, having originated from a Michelmas fair that has roots dating back to the early 12th century, but which moved to its present date upon the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1752.
The name "Goose Fair" is believed to originate from when people used to buy geese at the fair to fatten up for Christmas. To this day, the Whitchurch Road livestock market still sells live geese and poultry, and the town's cafés and restaurants offer goose-themed menus to commemorate the heritage of the Tavistock Goose Fair.
Historically, the Goose Fair was a livestock market, with entertainment provided in the evening. Today, the fair still retains its market roots, with traders on Abbey Bridge and Plymouth Road selling everything from crafts to food. In addition, there are now children's fairground rides to enjoy, plus catering including burger, doughnut and candyfloss stalls. A total of 200 spaces in the town centre are available for traders and community groups.
For those seeking bigger thrills, the Wharf and Bedford car parks host white knuckle funfair rides that provide excitement into the night. With the Bedford Car Park being closed for the entire week of the Goose Fair, the Showman's Guild members have 70 spaces to set up their rides and games.
The rides at Tavistock Goose Fair might include the Freak Out, a spinning ride that will leave you feeling dizzy and disoriented; Waltzers, a classic fairground ride that whirls you around at high speed; Dodgems, where you can collide with friends and family in a game of bumper cars; and fun houses, which are full of obstacles, twists, and turns.
For children, there are giant inflatable slides, carousels, and helter skelters, which are sure to keep them entertained for hours.
Aside from the funfair rides, Tavistock Goose Fair also features funfair side shows, where you can try your luck at winning a prize or watch as others attempt to do so. With so much to see and do, Tavistock Goose Fair is a celebration of tradition and thrills that is sure to provide an unforgettable experience for everyone.
We Are Tricycle are always happy to provide anyone who needs it with the best information and assistance about funfair and fairground rides. If you're interested in the history of your favourite fairground rides, then check out our funfair history FAQs.
A Historic Name Can Outlast the Original Fair
Tavistock Goose Fair is a good example of how the name of a traditional fair can survive even when the event experienced by modern visitors is very different from that of earlier generations. The name acts as a link with the fair's past rather than a literal description of everything found there today.
This pattern appears elsewhere in British fair culture. What Is the History of the Pack Monday Fair? shows how another distinctive historic name can remain attached to a changing annual event.
Livestock and Trade Belong to an Older Fair Tradition
Modern visitors often associate the word "fair" immediately with rides and games, but historically fairs could have important trading functions. Livestock, agricultural produce and other goods could be central to an event rather than peripheral to the entertainment.
What Are Charter Fairs? provides useful background on the formal establishment of historic fairs, while the guide to What Are Mop Fairs? examines a tradition associated with hiring labour rather than selling goods.
The Meaning of a Fair Changes with the People Attending It
As patterns of commerce and everyday life change, an established fair can acquire a different purpose. Entertainment may become increasingly prominent even though the event retains a name inherited from a much earlier economic or social role.
What Is the History of the Funfair? follows the wider development of amusement entertainment, helping connect older fair traditions with the rides and attractions people now expect to encounter.
Mechanical Rides Added an Entirely New Layer to Historic Fairs
The arrival and development of mechanical attractions changed what a visit to a fair could involve. Rotating rides, children's attractions and later thrill rides created forms of entertainment with little resemblance to the trading activities associated with much older fairs.
The individual histories of the Carousel, Chair-o-Planes and the Waltzers show three different branches of the mechanical fairground that developed within this changing entertainment culture.
Games Helped Bridge Traditional and Modern Fairground Entertainment
Not every attraction required a large ride mechanism. Games and side stalls offered shorter forms of participation and became another recognisable feature of the fairground environment.
fairground side stalls and games includes familiar formats still used at events, while What Is the History of Hoopla? follows the background of one particularly recognisable fairground game.
Tavistock Can Be Compared with Other Named Fairs
Comparing individual fairs helps demonstrate why British fair history cannot be reduced to a single origin story. Local commerce, legal rights, employment, custom and entertainment have all played roles in different places and at different times.
What Is the History of Hull Fair? provides another example of a major named fair, while Funfair History FAQs answers broader questions about the traditions surrounding British fairs and fairgrounds.
From Historic Fair Names to Present-Day Entertainment
The continuing use of names such as Goose Fair, Mop Fair and Charter Fair provides a reminder that today's fairground rides operate within a tradition much older than the machinery itself. The attractions can change repeatedly while the event remains connected with its local history.
Our Guides provide further routes through fairground history. For modern event options, browse all products or contact us about traditional rides, games and contemporary attractions.