Castle Donington Museum

14/10/2026

A massive celebratory pie and a scrap… the Wakes of yesteryear had a slightly different tone!

10/10/2026

Some things never change... Each year we ask you for your memories of the annual Wakes Fair, and today we share a core memory of walking around with family and ooooh all that food! Do you still get tempted by the sweet and tasty treats?

Celebrating its 748th year, the historic Castle Donington Wakes Fair will be filling the centre of our village with rides, food and games from Thursday 29th October to Saturday 31th October.

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05/10/2026

With The Wakes on their way to fill the centre of the village with lights, music and rides, as it has for generations, it's worth recommending an exhibition currently at Nottingham Castle.

"A Fair Story shines a light on the people, families and traditions behind one of Nottingham’s most cherished events. It explores the lives, history and culture of Britain’s travelling Showmen community through powerful photography, poetry and personal stories."

26 September 2026 – 10 January 2027

04/10/2026

The Wakes are coming!
Each year we ask you for your memories of the annual fair, and you never disappoint, with tales of engagement rings, cheeky snogs, and the cakewalk. Today we share some of your feelings about before the fair, that building sense of anticipation... Do your still children get excited today?

Celebrating its 748th year, the historic Castle Donington Wakes Fair will be filling the centre of our village with rides, food and games from Thursday 29th October to Saturday 31th October.

24/09/2026

Get ready for a good old village tradition!

There’s not many places still running a fair in the same place for so many years, and Castle Donington Wakes Fair is returning for its 748th year 🎠🎡🍩🍔 Held in the heart of the village, you’ll find rides, food and games.

Thursday 29th October 6pm to 10pm
Friday 30th October 6pm to 10pm
Saturday 31st October 2pm to 10pm

22/09/2026

Will you be taking part? 🎃

16/09/2026

Want to support the Museum for £1, and be in the running to win vouchers, holidays, prizes, or even as much as £25,000?!

https://www.nwlcommunitylottery.co.uk/support/castle-donington-museum-trust

North West Leicestershire Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for good causes in North West Leicestershire. For every ticket you buy 60p goes to good causes - and can choose Castle Donington Museum as your direct good cause.

11/09/2026

Although Castle Donington Museum has closed for our main 2026 season, that doesn’t mean peace and quiet behind the scenes…

As we are a fully accredited museum, everything from display has been carefully checked, returned to storage, catalogue details updated, and loaned items returned. Research and planning has started for 2027’s displays, discussions about possible events, and vitally preparing our historic building for the winter.

We’ll be sharing local facts and stories with you here, from this year’s displays and general village history, so stay tuned!