A great day out for the family!
Advance discount tickets on sale now!
Event Information:
- Stotfold Watermill
- Sat 9th - Sun 10th May
- 10.30am - 5.30pm
- Advanced Discounted Tickets
Main Event
22nd Steam Fair & Country Show
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th May 2026
Now in its 22nd year, the Stotfold Mill Steam Fair and Country Show has become one of the most popular events in Central Bedfordshire, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the UK. Combining the wonders of steam power with a variety of entertainment, the Steam Fair offers a fantastic day out for families and steam fans alike.
The funds generated by the Steam Fair are essential for keeping Stotfold Mill and its Nature Reserve open for all to enjoy as a visitor attraction - free of charge. Your support helps us to keep the wheels of history turning.
Discount on Advanced Tickets
Deadline for ordering tickets online: is 23:59 on Wednesday 6th May 2025.
Advance ticket prices are £12.50 Adults, £4 Children in advance ordered online; £14 Adults, £5 Children on the gate.
Buy your tickets here!
Show Programme
Show Attractions
Stannage International Stunt Show
The Stannge Stunt Team were established in the year 2000, bringing excitement to audiences of all ages. Team lead Aaron Stannage started his professional career in 1998 at the tender age of 3, now with over 24 years experience specializing in car, motorbike, fire and high fall stunts, performing some of the most spectacular stunts ever seen on film or TV, following in his father’s footsteps Mark Stannage. Aaron and his team will perform their spectacular High Fall Show, Flaming High Fall Show and more.Stannage Stunt Team
Extreme Bike Battle
The UK’s Premier Stunt Tour, with a fusion of cycle-based disciplines performing thrilling stunts using their motocross, BMX and trials bikes being pushed to the limit in the hands of world-class professionalshttp://www.extremebikebattle.co.uk
Sheep Dog Display
The Sheep Dog display is brought to us by Merion Owen, A farmer born and bred, Meirion has been around border collies all his life. He is the third generation of his family to be involved in the art of training, competing and demonstrating with his border collies all over the country. Meirion appears regularly on TV and has been on three series of the very popular BBC programme 'One Man and His Dog. Sheep Dog Demos
Traction Engine Tug of War
Did you know, Great Britain are the reigning Olympic Champions in Tug of War? It was last contested in 1908, and won by the GB Team! In our version of the game, one team is made up of members of the audience - as many people of all ages as can possibly hold on to the rope - the other is a traction engine. Have you got what it takes to pull the engine over the line?!
Fun Fair
Roll up, roll up! All the fun of the fair! Come and show off your driving skills on the Dodgems, race each other on the steam powered Galloping Horses, see who can make it to the bottom of the Helter Skelter fastest and see the daring motorcyclists on the Wall of Death.
The Kids Zone
Unlimited FREE KidZone for a day full of fun! Bouncy castles, slides, assault course and garden games.
Bring the family and let the kids burn off some energy while you enjoy the day.
Don’t miss it – it’s going to be a great one!
https://www.at-amusements.co.uk
The Saunders Steam Collection
The Saunders Steam collection is the biggest working steam collection in Europe. The collection includes many operating steam traction engines, fairground rides, mechanical organs, vintage lorries and vintage cars.
The Stotfold Mill Preservation Trust are very grateful to the Saunders family and all the collection volunteers for once again attending our show.
Show Timetable
Saturday
10:45am Meirion Owen's -Sheep Dog Demo
11:15am Extreme Bike Battle
12:00pm Stannage Stunt Team
12:45pm Steam Parade and Tug of War
2:15pm Meirion Owen's -Sheep Dog Demo
2:45pm Extreme Bike battle
3:30pm Stannage Stunt Team
Sunday
10:45am Meirion Owen's -Sheep Dog Demo
11:15am Extreme Bike Battle
12:00am Stannage Stunt Team
12:45pm Shefford Majorettes
1:15pm Steam Parade and Tug of War
2:30pm Meirion Owen's -Sheep Dog Demo
3:00pm Extreme Bike Battle
3:45pm Stannage Stunt Team
Non-Arena Events
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight: Douglas C47 Dakota 3:00pm (+/- 15 mins)
Live Music for the Weekend
Saturday
11:30am - 12:00pm Abacus
"Abacus" aka Pete Lloyd and Hazel Rider are a Duo who perform a wide variety of music and song including covers, self penned material and original arrangements of well known songs and tunes. They describe their genre as "Transatlantic Music Past and Present"
12:30pm - 1:00pm Michael King
Hertfordshire based musician, Michael King is an acoustic guitarist and singer from Hitchin. A self-penned singer/songwriter, he has been busy performing throughout the UK, from Saracens Rugby Club, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and numerous festivals including Victorious Festival.
1:15pm - 2:15pm Henlow Hurricanes
Matt, Les, Alex and Anthony, who first formed in 2008 at RAF Henlow's flying club will be playing an unsophisticated blend of british guitar pop covers and anything else they fancy really. But always delivered with passion and humour.
2:30pm - 3:30pm Dakota Smile
Sam & Andy Newland, Elliot Stout and Bass Player George will bring a selection of upbeat party tunes from the 60s to the noughties. Dakota Smile love playing Stotfold Mill, and are looking forward to playing for the visitors once again!
4:0pm - 4:45pm Still got the blues
Stotfold Mill regulars John, Neil and Dan have been entertaining us for over the years as Second Day Soup, The Leftovers and May Contain Nuts. This year they’re back! This time around with Andy on guitar as they pay homage to some blues favourites. Expect a bit of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, Cream, Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ Top and more
Sunday
12:00pm- 12:30pm Abacus
"Abacus" aka Pete Lloyd and Hazel Rider are a Duo who perform a wide variety of music and song including covers, self penned material and original arrangements of well known songs and tunes. They describe their genre as "Transatlantic Music Past and Present".
12:45pm - 1:45pm Life Lounge
LIfe Lounge are Kelly and Nige, a party duo with a great mix of music from acoustic to party hits. There's something for everyone in our repertoire from the 60's to Disco, the 80's, 90's and beyond.
2:00pm - 2:45pm Folk Like Us
Playing anything from 60's hits to present day chart toppers, "Folk lik us" has something for everyone. They are a Hertfordshire based guitar and piano duo who will you tapping your feet and singing along to well known songs with a modern day twist and arranged harmonies.
3:15pm - 4:00pm Highlands
With individual successes touring internationally, Sam and Gabrielle came together to establish the male/female duo, ’Highlands’. Taking influence from artists such as Birdy, Paolo Nutini and Lizzy McAlpine, Highlands convey cozy and emotive arrangements paired with heartfelt lyrics.
Saturday Evening
Kids Disco
5.30 - 6.30
A great start to the evening, Pow Wow Entertainment brings you a kids disco like no other! Getting everyone up and dancing with the latest tunes, bubbles and more! Lets get this marquee rocking!
Desert Pengiuns
7.00 - 8.45
The Desert Penguins are a high energy covers band, established for over 10 years, bringing you the biggest pop, rock and indie party songs from the last thirty years.
They play a wide range of modern pop and rock music, including The Killers, Oasis, Katy Perry, Green Day, Blink-182, Jessie J, The White Stripes, Taylor Swift, The Kaiser Chiefs, and so much more. All with their unique sound and pop-goes-rock twist.
Hot Mess
9.15 - 11.00
With over 30 years of performing experience Hot Mess' ethos is to bring songs you don't hear your average band play.
Celebrating songs of the 80s from artists like Peter Gabriel, Bruce Springsteen, Gerry Rafferty, Tears for Fears, Prince and Human League. Hot Mess will give you a night you'll never forget.
Traditional Cask Ales at the Bar Marquee
Hop on Board
Pale brown in appearance with a bitter after taste, consumers enjoy its lower ABV of 4% that allows them the opportunity to enjoy their favourite ale for longer.
Theakston – Best (3.8%)
Using five different hop varieties giving Best Bitter a complex but subtle taste profile. The combination of dryness as generated by Target and Challenger hops, is balanced by sweetness created by the generous use of prime malting barley.
Dark Star - Hophead (Gluten Free) (3.4%)
An extremely clean drinking pale golden ale with a strong floral aroma and elderflower notes from the Cascade hops. This beer is full bodied and full flavoured yet gentle enough to make it a favourite session beer.
Theakston - Light foot (Gluten Free) (4.1%)
Light, continental blonde beer style. This is a very pale, straw coloured ale that uses a blend of finest English ale malt, wheat and German and Slovakian hops to achieve a ‘continental blonde’ style, flavour and aroma.
Butcombe Brewery - Butcombe bitter (4.0%)
Distinctive bitter, clean and refreshingly dry flavour. Made with only the best Maris Otter malt blended with a variety of English hops (a secret that we can never share), Butcombe Original is the classic session beer.
Theakston – Old Peculier (5.6%)
The power of Old Peculier should never be under- estimated! A dark, strong beer Old Peculier is justifiably famous for its rich and complete character, its sheer strength and for being a beer with a long history.
Theakston – XB (4.5%)
A classic premium strength ale , ruby coloured with delicate Calvados-like aroma and subtle rhubarb and apple fruit flavours.
Brains – The Rev James (4.5%)
Based on a recipe from 1885 The Rev. James Original is rich and well-balanced with a mellow malty flavour that unexpectedly gives way to a clean, refreshing finish. Brewed using exclusive Buckleys’ yeast this award-winning ale will save your soul and satisfy your thirst.
Traditional Ciders at the Bar Marquee
Farmer Jim's - Farmyard Fruits (4.0%)
A pale refreshingly fruity cider, full of the joys of summer!
Farmer Jim's - Farmyard Perry (4.5%)
A light fruity Perry made from proper Perry Pears..
Farmer Jim's - Copper Top (7.0%)
A rich copper coloured cider that is full of taste and strength!
Farmer Jim's - Rootin' Tootin' (4.0%)
A medium cider blended with spicy ginger and tart raspberry.
Malvern Cider Co – Malvern Gold (6.0%)
Amber in colour, with an aroma of straw and light funk. Tangy fruit flavour, with a toffee apple edge, and some mellow oak in the aftertaste
Broadoak – Pheasant Plucker (4.5%)
A traditional cloudy Somerset dry cider with a full bodied flavour obtained from handpicked bitter sweer west country apples.
Pulp – Apple Cider (4.7%)
Clear, pale golden, sweetish, not that much taste. Label states:- ALL PULP - NO FICTION Tickle your taste buds Full of flavour. This medium cider is crafted from real cider apples, with a delightful sharpness and a slightly dry finish.
Celtic Marches - Thundering Molly (5.2%)
Molly is a meticulously balanced cider with a golden glow. This scrumptious sip is smooth, well rounded and has a wonderful apple nose; a signature quality of our homegrown Herefordshire Cider apples.
Eating options for the weekend
F A Q's
Who do I contact if I want to volunteer to help?
The whole event is organised and run by volunteers, without them the show can’t go on. All volunteers get free entry to the event and are invited to celebrate the Mill at our volunteers evening – please email volunteers@stotfoldmill.com
Can I bring a dog?
Yes, dogs are welcome to the show but please be aware it can be quite noisy and there can be lots of people and vehicles moving around so they must be kept on a short lead. With the exception of guide dogs, we do not allow dogs in the mill.
Is it suitable for a pram?
It is a field so the ground is not flat, but you can easily get a pram round some of the event.
Do you have disabled access?
The disabled parking is as close to the Mill as possible. This has the best access to the event field.
Is there a cash machine?
You can pay for entry on your card at the Mill entrance, unfortunately we don't believe cashback will be available on site this year.
Can you pay by card?
Yes, the gates accept cards.
How much does it cost?
Advanced tickets are cheaper. On the gate - Adults (16 and over) £13, and Children (4 and over, but under 16) £7. Under 4s are free.
Is it different to last year? There are new things to see and different bands to listen to this year.
How much is car parking? Free!
What if I lose my child? When you arrive you can pickup a wristband from the gate and put your phone number on it so you can be contacted easily.
Do you have mobility scooters? No we don't, but you can bring your own.
Can I get cheaper tickets? Yes - tickets booked online until 7th May are discounted.
Are there refreshments? The Mill Tea Room will be open over the weekend and there are a range of different trade stands and food stalls around the field offering a wide range of foods - full details are on this page.
Are there disabled toilets?
Yes, in the Mill and around the field.
Are there baby changing facilities?
Yes, in the Mill and there are changing tables in the disabled toilets on the field.
When is the bar open?
The bar opens at 11am and closes around midnight on Saturday and 5pm Sunday!
How much is Saturday night?
Free! We have a children’s disco from 5:30pm followed by live music till late.
Is the Nature Reserve open?
Not this weekend but you can visit at any other time.
