Hollycombe Steam in the Country Review
Hollycombe
Steam in the Country
Hampshire
Reviewed by Kerri Chard
Hampshire is lucky to have Britain’s largest collection of working steam on its doorstep. Sat on the Hampshire and Sussex border near Liphook, Hollycombe Steam in the Country is a magical place where the past comes to life and is a wonderful day out for the whole family.
We were really pleased to be visiting Hollycombe during its Fairground weekend and mechanical organ gathering, and as soon as we parked up we were greeted by the pleasant sounds of distant mechanical organs playing vintage music which hit us like a wave of nostalgia. What is really lovely is that for most young children this is a completely new sound. I can only vaguely remember the first time I heard a mechanical organ for the first time (at a tourist attraction in Matlock when I was only knee high) but I distinctly remember the uplifting feelings the music provokes, and have enjoyed the bubbly tunes many times since at events such as the Great Dorset Steam Fair. It is these rare moments in life that stay with us for years to come, and have the ability to conjure forgotten emotions and feelings. Already I was very excited to see what Hollycombe had in store.
You are greeted by a fairly modern building on arrival which serves not only as a ticket office but also as a Cafe, Gift Shop, Toilets and Education Centre. It’s a shame that this area isn’t in keeping with the venues antiquities, for example I think it would have been really great to see staff dressed up in outfits befitting the era of steam but that is just my opinion, I am sure others will prefer a modern haven on site. It is here that you can start to gain an insight into Hollycombe’s rich history which contributes to making the visit all the more enjoyable, especially for youngsters, as it really drives home the reality of all they are about to experience.
At this point I should point out that tickets prices are extremely reasonable, starting at only £10.00 for a child’s tickets. Hollycombe is a registered charity that relies on entry frees to ensure the continued maintenance of the museum to keep the steam powered exhibits alive for future generations to enjoy. We also popped our head into the café to check out the menu and prices and were surprised that food prices were so reasonable (unlike most other venues where over inflation is all too common). We had brought along a picnic so this quick stop was purely for information sakes.
Stepping out of the modern building we were instantly transported back in time and found ourselves facing the platform of the Quarry Railway, we were in luck because a train was scheduled to depart in 5 minutes so we jumped on board. Hollycombe’s railways are a historic collection of items in their own right. The 2ft gauge Quarry Railway features ex-Dinorwig Quarry locos and ex-Ramsgate Tunnel Railway coaches dating from the 1930’s (one of the carriages has a wheelchair compartment). This attraction runs high on the hill that Hollycombe is located on for approx. 1.5 miles through woodland and fields passing an old sandstone quarry. It pauses twice on route so that you can enjoy the spectacular views across the Sussex Weald and allowing time to take some breathe taking photos of the stunning surrounding countryside. The chug chug of the steam engine and the loud bursts of the horn are a real delight.
Next we took a tour of the steam-powered Edwardian fairground which is bright, colourful and extremely inviting, and we were amazed at how well preserved the static attractions are kept. From the swinging Steam Yacht to the Steam Chairoplanes there are plenty of rides to really capture the heyday of the fairground. The Ferris Wheel, which is celebrating its 100 year birthday, is a marvel of engineering and a fantastic vantage point from which to view the complete grounds of Hollycombe and take some stunning photographs (we added a vintage effect to some of our photos and you could almost believe that we had been their decades ago!). The traditional Galloper roundabout has been the most popular ride at Hollycombe since its introduction back in 1987, whilst Hollycombe boasts being home to the world’s first white knuckle ride – The Razzle Dazzle, by no means white knuckle by today’s standards, was built around 1908 and was revolutionary because it was the first ride to combine a horizontal spinning motion with a tilting motion as well. This is well worth a try as not only can you see where a lot of modern spinning rides got their inspiration from but also it is a whole lot of fun (peek through the looky hole under the ride to see the steam engine in action). As well as steam powered rides the fairground also hosts attractions such as: a hall of mirrors – which a wandering peacock was enjoying on our visit; an original Ghost house – very different from what you can expect of a modern day ghost ride; and a replica Bioscope (travelling cinema) with hourly showings or some very old film (like Mickey Mouse).
After all the excitement of the fair, we decided to make our way to the woodland gardens for our picnic. Despite the forecast of heavy rain and generally stormy weather we were enjoying some glorious sunshine which brought the woodland gardens to life. With towering Rhododendrons and beautifully blooming Azaleas the gardens were tranquil and delightful, full of colour and heady scents, and just a hint of organ music trailing from the nearby fairground. There are lots of little wonders tucked away to discover. The further we walked the more we came across – we are still not quite sure where or why the giant urn came about but this makes for a great photo opportunity. There are a few picnic benches dotted around or take along your own picnic blanket to that you can choose to plonk in 50’s picnic style wherever you wish.
If one steam powered train ride isn’t enough, there is another waiting to take you around a pint sized track which is ideal for youngsters. This miniature railway sees you straddling a miniature locomotive down towards an old sawmill. We sat right at the front and came off with a splattering of coal, all part of the experience in our opinion. Also available to see on site are some educational points of interest such as the Waterwheel and Beam engine. We were a little disappointed that the water wheel wasn’t a running wheel but there is lots of information to read and share with kids. You can also chat with a very happy and animated character who is feeding coal into a steam engine (which we found out was powering the Galloped roundabout ride). This was the only character on site that really played the part (or just really loved steam engines and his job) he was a welcome attraction for us it’s just a shame more characters like this weren’t dotted around.
There is plenty to see and do at Hollycombe for all ages, although we would argue that it would be most enjoyed with kids in toe. I have no doubt that children will walk away from Hollycombe with a lasting memory that they will treasure. A fantastic day out with very few recommendations to better the experience.
Rating: 4/5
The sounds and smells of the working steam attractions are extremely emotive. Hollycombe offers a rare glimmer into a dwindling past that has been triumphantly brought back to life.
Info:
Admission Prices:
Adults £14.00
Children (3-15) £10.00
Super saver tickets also available
Book online or pay on arrival
They say: Enjoy all the Fun of the Fair; steam railways and Hollycombe’s steam engines of national importance. You’ll be supporting a registered educational charity of national importance which relies solely on the money it receives from visitors. Pay once, and return again all season for free on most open days. A real ‘three-generation’ visit, Hollycombe offers the thrills of the Big Wheel (with magnificent views over the South Downs) and the ‘Razzle-Dazzle’ (the world’s first white-knuckle ride); the nostalgia of steam railways together with relaxing countryside walks. There is an excellent cafe and Gift Shop on site (with a great choice of Thomas the Tank Engine merchandise); choice of picnic areas and parking is free.
Hollycombe Working Steam Museum, Iron Hill, Liphook, Hampshire, GU30 7LP
01428 724900 | www.hollycombe.co.uk
