Showmen: The Families Behind Britain's Funfairs – A Proud Tradition Spanning Generations
Celebrating Britain's Showmen and Over 40 Years of Better Bounce Supporting the Industry
When people think of a travelling funfair, they often picture flashing lights, exciting rides, the smell of candyfloss and the sound of children laughing. What many people don't see is the dedication, craftsmanship and generations of family tradition that make these events possible.
Across the United Kingdom, thousands of hardworking Showmen and Showwomen dedicate their lives to bringing entertainment to towns, villages and cities every year. They are an important part of British heritage, preserving traditions that stretch back hundreds of years while continually investing in modern, safe and innovative attractions.
At Better Bounce, we are incredibly proud to have been supplying the showmen's industry with commercial inflatables, funfair attractions and entertainment equipment for over 40 years. Throughout that time we've built lasting relationships with generations of showmen's families, many of whom continue to trust us today just as their parents and grandparents did before them.
Who Are Showmen?
Showmen are professional travelling fairground operators who own and operate amusement rides, inflatables, games, catering units and family entertainment attractions across the UK.
For many families, being a Showman isn't simply a job—it's a way of life that has been passed down through the generations. It is not unusual to meet fourth, fifth or even sixth-generation families who continue the business started by their great-grandparents.
Today there are approximately 5,000 travelling showmen's families operating throughout Britain, helping create unforgettable memories for millions of visitors every year.
A Heritage That Dates Back Hundreds of Years
Britain's fairs are woven into our national history.
Many of today's traditional fairs operate under Royal Charters originally granted by Kings and Queens several centuries ago. Some fairs have been held continuously for over 700 years, making them among the oldest public events in the country.
The travelling routes many showmen follow today have also remained remarkably consistent, with families visiting the same towns and events year after year, generation after generation.
This remarkable continuity is one of the reasons Britain's travelling fair industry remains so unique.
The Showmen's Guild of Great Britain
Many professional operators are members of the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain, an organisation that has represented the industry for well over 100 years.
The Guild helps maintain high professional standards throughout the industry while supporting members with guidance, representation and best practice.
Membership reflects a commitment to operating responsibly and professionally while preserving one of Britain's oldest travelling trades.
Safety Is at the Heart of Everything
One of the biggest misconceptions about travelling fairs is that they are lightly regulated.
The reality is quite the opposite.
Modern showmen operate within a highly regulated environment and invest significant time and money into ensuring every attraction is safe for the public.
Commercial inflatables, bouncy castles and inflatable slides must undergo independent safety inspections before they can be used. Certification schemes such as PIPA and ADIPS, together with the requirements of EN 14960, help ensure equipment is maintained and operated to recognised industry standards.
Many attractions are also subject to regular inspections, maintenance schedules and operational procedures designed to protect both operators and visitors.
Safety isn't simply a legal requirement—it's fundamental to the reputation of every professional showman.
Running a Fair Is a Major Operation
Bringing a funfair to a town involves far more than simply arriving and setting up.
Professional showmen work closely with councils, landowners and event organisers to secure permission to operate.
This often includes:
- Paying site rental fees.
- Providing deposits or bonds for potential ground repairs.
- Following strict site conditions.
- Installing fencing where required.
- Supplying toilets and waste facilities.
- Managing traffic and public access.
- Removing advertising once events have finished.
- Meeting insurance and licensing requirements.
Every event involves considerable planning behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly for visitors.
Entertainment That Creates Memories
For many people, visiting the annual fair is a tradition that stretches back to childhood.
Whether it's a classic galloper, a modern thrill ride, a giant inflatable slide or a family bouncy castle, these attractions help create memories that last a lifetime.
As the industry has evolved, inflatables have become an increasingly popular part of many travelling fairs, offering safe, exciting entertainment for younger visitors while complementing traditional rides and games.
Better Bounce: Proud to Support Britain's Showmen for Over 40 Years
For more than four decades, Better Bounce has worked alongside the UK's travelling showmen, supplying high-quality commercial inflatables built for demanding public use.
We've had the privilege of supplying multiple generations of the same families, watching businesses grow and helping operators invest in equipment that keeps visitors entertained year after year.
Our understanding of the showmen's industry has been built through decades of real-world experience, listening to customer feedback and continually developing products that meet the needs of professional operators.
Whether it's:
- Commercial bouncy castles
- Inflatable slides
- Interactive games
- Obstacle courses
- Funfair inflatables
- Custom-designed attractions
our goal has always been the same—to provide reliable, durable equipment backed by expert advice and outstanding customer support.
The relationships we've built over the past 40+ years are something we're incredibly proud of, and we look forward to continuing to support Britain's showmen for many years to come.
Preserving an Important British Tradition
Travelling fairs remain one of Britain's oldest forms of family entertainment.
Behind every attraction is a hardworking family committed to delivering safe, enjoyable experiences for the communities they visit.
Their dedication helps preserve a unique part of British culture that has entertained generations and continues to evolve with modern equipment, improved safety standards and new attractions.
The next time you visit your local fair, take a moment to appreciate not only the rides and inflatables, but also the generations of experience, hard work and passion that make it all possible.
Why Better Bounce Continues to Stand Beside the Showmen's Industry
At Better Bounce, we don't simply manufacture inflatables—we've been part of the industry's journey for over 40 years.
We're proud to support Britain's travelling showmen with commercial-quality inflatables designed for professional use, helping continue a tradition that has brought smiles to millions of families across the UK.
Here's to the next generation of Showmen—and the next 40 years of working together.
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