The other day I was walking through Shepherd's Bush when I saw a large sign outside the common: 'Shepherd's Bush Summer Fair'. With only a few days left to go, it looked like I had made it just in time, and was pleased to see the poster boasting 'free entry'.
George Irvin's Leisure has been running fun fairs for five generations, so they know how to give people a good time. This was evident by the sound of music and laughter as I approached.
Although entry is free, you of course have to pay for the rides, which works on a token system. Tokens are £1.20 each or £10 for ten. To give you an idea of what this will get you, a round-a-bout and Jungle Adventure train for young children costs two tokens, while the water walkers (giant balls that you step inside) are four tokens.
Shepherd's Bush Common is fairly small, so there was not as much there as some other fairgrounds I've been too. Some of the other attractions included a Simpsons themed inflatable slide, bungee trampolines, a helter skelter, the Twister, and lots of prize winning stalls.
Although the fair at Shepherd's Bush is ending on the 3rd August, there are still four more on the way to look forward to this month:
Rose Green, Kingsbury Fun Fair - 7th - 17th August
Back in Burgess Park - 15th - 17th August
London Fields August Bank Holiday Fair - 23rd - 25th August
Barham Park August School Holiday Fair - 21st - 31st August
Take note that while Shepherd's Bush was free entry, this is not the case with all George Irvin fun fairs.