Great Dorset Steam Fair
| Great Dorset Steam Fair | |
|---|---|
Three road locomotives combine to haul a small diesel shunter (2007) | |
| Genre | Steam-powered vehicles and machinery |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location(s) | Dorset, England |
| Coordinates | 50°53′23″N 2°5′58″W / 50.88972°N 2.09944°W |
| Inaugurated | 1969 |
| Founder | Michael Oliver |
| Most recent | 2022 |
| Area | 600 acres (2.4 km2) |
| Website | www |
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The Great Dorset Steam Fair (abbreviated GDSF, and since 2010 also known as The National Heritage Show) was an annual show featuring steam-powered vehicles and machinery held in Dorset, England. It covered 600 acres (2.4 km2) and ran for five days. This used to be from the Wednesday after the UK August bank holiday, but from 2016 to 2022 was from the Thursday before the Bank Holiday until the Bank Holiday itself. It was reputedly the largest collection of steam and vintage equipment to be seen anywhere in the world.
The fair was founded by the Dorset Steam & Historic Vehicle Club, and has been held every summer since 1969. The show is now organised by Michael Oliver's son, Martin Oliver, through Great Dorset Steam Fair Ltd.