The Hoppings

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The Hoppings is held on the Town Moor in Newcastle upon Tyne during the last week in June. It is said to be Europe's largest travelling fun fair, a claim also made by Hull Fair and Nottingham Goose Fair, the appearance of the same travelling companies at these events may justify all these claims.

Several origins have been suggested for the name. Most relate to dancing, the word hopping meaning a dance in Middle English (Old fairs included dancing). Another idea stems from the clothing which the travellers use to wear; that being of old, sack like tops and pants. Clothing often became infested with fleas from the animals that travelled with the fair. People were often seen 'jumping' or 'hopping' about itching from the bites which they received. Or the name may derive from the Anglo-Saxon word "hoppen" meaning funfair.

The fair began as a Temperance Fair in 1882. It was scheduled to coincide with Race Week at Newcastle Racecourse, during which the Northumberland Plate was awarded.

The fair took place at Jesmond Dene from 1914 - 1918 and returned to the more spacious Town Moor, just north of the city centre, in 1919.