Collections at the National Fairground and Circus Archive

The NFCA collection is one of the leading repositories in the world for material relating to all aspects of travelling popular entertainment. The Archive holds 150,000 photographic images, 4,000 books and journals and over 20,000 items of ephemera including posters, handbills and programmes. Additionally the collection holds items of original artwork, early film, audio visual material and important family and business records.

Aspects of the collections focus on Circus, Fairgrounds, Dwellings and Transport, World’s Fairs, Magic, Americana, Menageries, Side-Shows, Variety, Wild West, Early Cinema, Boxing, Performers, Showmen, Rides, Fairground Art, Seaside Entertainment and Amusement Parks.

Descriptions of archives held by Special Collections and Archives, the National Fairground and Circus Archive and the University Archives can now be searched using Discover Our Archives.

Please note the system is still under development and new records are being added regularly. Our findings aids can also be browsed: