Everything you need to know about Hull Fair

Hull Fair will bring more than 300 rides and stalls to Walton Street

Hull Fair is heading to the city next month with hundreds of thrilling rides and attractions.

The annual event, which is more than 700 years old, is one of the largest travelling fairs in Europe.

It will open at 17:00 BST on Friday 10 October and will run until Saturday 18 October.

Visitors are being urged to use park-and-ride services and buses, as there will be limited parking available in the streets surrounding the Walton Street fairground.

The fair attracts about 600,000 visitors during its week-long stay next to West Park.

New rides for this year include what is being billed as the UK's tallest ride, the Big Ben Tower, which is 280ft (85m) high, and the Skyfall drop tower.

Opening times

The official opening of Hull Fair is due to take place at 17:00, when the city's Lord Mayor will ring the fairground bell.

The opening times for the week are:

Friday 10 October - 17:00 to 23:00

Saturday 11 October - 12:00 to 23:00

Sunday 12 October - Closed

Monday 13 October to Friday 17 October - 14:00 to 23:00

Saturday 18 October - 12:00 to 23:00

How to get there

Parking restrictions will be in force around the fairground.

Hull City Council said there would be limited parking at the MKM Stadium.

Visitors are being urged to make use of the two park-and-ride schemes at Priory Park and the Humber Bridge.

The council said details of bus services to the fair are still to be confirmed with the information to be added to the official website.

The fair has been held on Walton Street since 1888

History of Hull Fair

Hull Fair can trace its origins to a royal charter issued in 1279, when fairs were an opportunity to trade livestock and generally eat, drink and make merry.

It was originally held at Easter, before moving to September.

In 1752, Britain changed the way it calculated leap years, which resulted in the "loss" of 11 days from the calendar that September. According to local tradition, Hull people took to the streets as they thought the change would mean the loss of the fair.

The uproar led to a new date, in the second week of October, which remains to this day.

Hull Fair has survived longer than most. A law passed in 1871 saw the majority of traditional fairs shut down by Victorian politicians who complained of "grievous immorality", including rowdy behaviour and drunkenness.

The fair has been staged at Walton Street since 1888. Before rides became the main draw, it was known for musicians, circus performers, animal shows and other exhibits and curiosities.

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