The Fairground Heritage Trust
Analysis
The Fairground Heritage Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Devon. It was registered in January 1986, 40 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts/culture/heritage/science and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01978359). It says it acts as an umbrella or resource body.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The Fairground Heritage Trust reported income of £283k and spending of £238k, spending 84% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £180k to £283k (+57%), an average of +12% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2025, when income rose by 1095%. Over the whole period it spent 87% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The Fairground Heritage Trust sits at the 88th percentile: it is larger than about 88% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 85th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Congress Theatre Company (£282k), International Curators Forum (£283k) and Nottingham Studios Ltd (£282k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
The acquisition and restoration of vintage fairground equipment for posterity. The Trust also aims to promote the study of the fairground in its every aspect, including its institutions, social history, history of British Showmen, the development of fairground amusements, mechanical rides, transport and popular entertainments and the various art forms related to the public.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Congress Theatre Company | Cwmbran | £282k |
| International Curators Forum | London | £283k |
| Nottingham Studios Ltd | Nottingham | £282k |
| Stoke on Trent Festival Limited | Newcastle | £283k |