Thousands of showgoers flocked to Newcastle’s Town Moor for the return of the Hoppings fun fair, last night (Friday, June 21).

Europe’s largest fun fair is up and running for its ten-day stay, with more than 400 rides, stalls, food vendors and other attractions to appeal to all ages, spread out over more than a kilometre of the moor.

They range from traditional favourites like the dodgems and hook-a-duck to the latest jaw-dropping thrill rides.

Among them is the Star Flyer, providing the ultimate thrills, sending riders nearly 200 ft in the air, while the Mach Bomber, touching speeds of up to 80mph, lives up to its reputation as the UK’s favourite G4-listed attraction.

Panoramic views over the Newcastle skyline are also available on the site’s famous giant observation wheel.

(Image: North News)

The Hoppings first appeared in Newcastle in 1882 as a Temperance Fair, designed as a counter-attraction to the annual race week, at the nearby Newcastle Racecourse.

Over the coming decades well-known rides and attractions still in use today were added, including The Rotor, the first ever spinning wall ride, introduced in 1951, while Hook-a-Duck made its first appearance in 1958.

The Hoppings has survived bumps in the road and was cancelled entirely in 2013 due to bad weather but returned with a bang in 2014 as attendances topped a total of 400,000 for the ten-day stay.

It was also one of the many casualties of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Visitors planning to head to the site by car can gain access via the Grandstand Road entrance near the Blue House Roundabout, but motorists are warned of parking restrictions in nearby Jesmond and Gosforth.

(Image: North News)

On site parking costs £4 for all-day stays and spots can be pre-booked or are payable with cash on the day.

Pedestrians can enter the Hoppings site via the main entrance on the Great North Road, via the parking area on Grandstand Road, or from Claremont Road, via Exhibition Park.

Public transport options to the site include bus routes 11, 21, 306, X1, X45, X77, or the Metro network’s green and yellow lines.

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There is no entry charge and dogs can be taken, providing they are kept on leads at all times.

The fair runs from 1 to 11pm today and tomorrow (Sat/Sun June 22/23), plus next Saturday, but from Monday to Friday there is a 2pm start.

Further information is available via hoppings@crowevents.com, the official website.