A FIRE eater, magician, animals and entertainers will converge on an open air museum for a Georgian Fair this half-term.

The event at Beamish Museum, near Stanley, also featuring sideshows and crafts people, opens today and runs until Sunday.

On Saturday, June, visitors can also enjoy a Grand Georgian Gathering, as the museum stays open until 9pm – with everything from a Georgian gin bar and live music to crafts, creatures, performers and Waggonway steam train rides.

During the day at the fair, held in the museum’s 1820s Landscape, visitors can also test their strength with the barrel rolling, consult the quack doctor, see the birds of prey, discover the snakes and bearded dragon.

Visitors can also see heather thatching and wattle and daub demonstrations at Joe the Quilter’s cottage, which is due to open later this summer – the first building in the £18million Remaking Beamish project.

Paul Foster, historic events officer, said: “The fair brings to life the fantastic hustle and bustle of a Georgian country fair. With so much to see and do, it’s no surprise this is one of the most popular events in our calendar.”

Beamish is open daily from 10am to 5pm (last admission 3pm). The Grand Georgian Gathering takes place on Saturday from 5pm to 9pm (last admission 8pm).

The Georgian Fair and Grand Georgian Gathering are included in admission to Beamish and are free with an Unlimited Pass, which is valid for 12 months.