The Fairgrounds Heritage Trust charity was incorporated in 1986 with the goal of collecting and restoring historical funfair items, including rides, games, and artwork dating back to the 19th century.[2][3] It opened the Dingles Steam Village museum at its present location in Lifton, Devon, in 2003.[4] Following an expansion in 2006, the museum reopened in 2007 as Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre.[4]
Rides, stall games, and artwork in the charity's collection were once featured in travelling funfairs.[5] Rides were restored, and those that could be were returned to working order and placed in operation for visitors to ride.[1] Attractions required tokens that guests purchased in addition to general admission.[1][3] Notable rides in the vintage collection included a 1930s-era Edwards' Dodgems bumper car ride,[6] a Joy Wheel featuring a spinning disc dating as far back as 1910,[7] and a 1938 Shaw's Moonrocket thought to be the last of its kind in existence.[8][9]
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum closed in March 2020 and struggled financially without an income.[10] Many items in the charity's collection were auctioned off to raise money, and through the auction they managed to raise £50,000.[11] In November 2021, Fairground Heritage received an additional £70,000 from the government, which was part of a funding effort to aid museums and art galleries that struggled during the pandemic.[11] The museum reopened in April 2022 with another expansion that was originally planned for 2021.[11]
The museum permanently closed on 3 November 2024, with increasing costs, its remote location and the impact of COVID-19 being cited as three major factors in the decision. Much of the museum's collection is to be moved to the Statfold Narrow Gauge Museum in Tamworth, Staffordshire.[12][13]
