About Golden Gallopers- Carousel Company

In 1885 our carousel was made by “Savage's” of Kings Lynn as a dobby set, it was rebuilt in 1889 by Savages to be transformed into a fairground galloper with a platform and overhead cranks which made the horses gallop.

The Steam enginge was removed in 1949 where it was converted to a full time electrical operation.

This carousel was purchased and fully restored by the owner in 2009 who has been supplying vintage fairground equipment for public events and private hire throughout Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire, Where these tradtional rides have been a firm favorite for visitors and guests.

Despite the age of our rides for hire, Martin follows a maintenance program to ensure each ride is fully compliant with health and safety regulations and guidelines set by The National Carousel Association. Martin knows this fairground inside and out and has hand-restored and maintains them. Therefore, in the rare event of a machine breakdown, an on-site fairground mechanic fix is als possible.

Golden Gallopers is a carousel company owned and managed by Martin Loades a local man from Ipswich in Suffolk.

Succesfully, offering fairground rides for hire throughout Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire for both private hire and public events.

Martin is also well known by local councils for the supply of Christmas lighting to many boroughs.

This first steam powered fairground equipment was created by Frederick Savage also known as Savages of Kings Lynn. 

This was a steam-driven ride created in the 1800’s. This began with a range of dobbies and platform horses and smaller wooden rides that were propelled by people. In the 1900’s these machines evolved to become more mechanical and travelling fairs became a firm favourite for public entertainment.

Fairgrounds were made up of a range of rides: The big wheel, carousel horses, a coconut shy, punch & judy shows to mention a few.  Something today we can envisage our great grandparents attending to have a jolly good time!

In 2020 the carousels were painted with a 20-year anti-bacterial coating to ensure the safety of our riders.  We also offer contactless card payments as the UK moves into a more cashless environment.