Review of 'Astle Park Traction Engine Rally 2025'
https://outdoorshows.co.uk/astle-park-traction-engine-rally/
We are lucky to live in a country where we can still see steam tractors actually working having been lovingly maintained and restored by their, doubtless, poor owners. The Astle Park Traction Engine Rally allows you to get right up and close to the action. We attended on a very hot Sunday (the rain held off and it was VERY dry) and despite a lot of walking we likely did not see the entire show…Free parking was provided in an adjacent field that was only a short walk to the main entrance.
As you enter the grounds there was an exhibit of “Honda Goldwing” cycles which are always interesting to look at.
After the Goldwings there were a number of rows of stalls selling all manner of things - Not just mechanical but crafts, souvenirs, food, antiques, etc. Beyond this is the showring where there were events throughout the day with the massive “Grand Steam Parade” held twice where they get as many steam tractors into the ring as they can. There were a number of food stalls around the showring as well as the small (and very hot) Fine Food Marquee which had not necessarily “fine food” (unless you count local cheese and charcuterie “fine food”) but certainly a lot of local food…
Beside the showring was a Vintage Fairground with a few steam-powered rides and some displays of old fairground steam tractors.
On the far side of the showring and down a small hill was the Military Vehicle Display which showcased some amazingly restored vehicles with some imaginative displays.
Beside the military vehicles at the back of the grounds was where the massive steam-powered Traction Engines were lined up. Some trundled off to the showring on occasion for display otherwise they sat ticking over with their owners happily answering any questions from the crowd.
Beside the steam tractors where the Miniature Steam Traction Engines which are a marvel of engineering with their owners often riding them around the grounds showing them off. Quite beautiful machines.
Nearby there was the display of bigger farm equipment Vintage Commercials (Lorries, Buses, Fire Engines etc).
Beside the commercial vehicles were the Vintage Motorcycles Display and Classic Car Display.
Beside the cars and back near the main entrance was a large Vintage Tractor Display (not steam this time but impressive nonetheless).
Near the showring was also a rather noisy, but small, Fairground Organs display which could be heard throughout the site.
As we visited on a Sunday, we missed the largest day of the fair which is Saturday that ends in a massive fireworks display. There is always next year.
At £15 entrance, it certainly was a great value with so much to see. A massive site with many impressive vehicles to look at but also enough to keep those not as interested in the mechanical entertained.
Rating: “I have absolutely no complaints”
Review Date: 2025-10-10
Astle Park
Location: Cheshire (England)
Address: Astle Park, Chelford, Cheshire, SK11 9AD
URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astle_Park
Astle Park is an area of land in the countryside a mile or so south of Chelford in Cheshire in England, on the west side of the A535 road (Holmes Chapel Road) from Chelford to Jodrell Bank (from Wikipedia). It is used to house events such as steam tractor fairs.