Embedded Files
In 1989 the award-winning cast and crew of Only Fools and Horses decamped to the Kent coast to film that year's 90 minute Christmas Special – The Jolly Boys Outing. The story would see the Trotters and a group of their friends from the Nags Head take a beano down to the seaside town of Margate. Here they would take in the sights, take a stroll on the beach and have some fun at the Dreamland them park… Before their coach explodes, they discover that there has been a rail strike, and they have to find a bed for the night! The resulting episode was a blockbuster festive smash and has gone down into TV legend as a high point of the unforgettable series.
For the filming for the episode, the series’ director Tony Dow and Production Manager Adrian Pegg went on a recce around Margate’s corner of Kent to find all the locations not just for the coastal scenes but for the other all the other exterior scenes in the story (such as the opening Market scene and the Halfway House where the characters all stop at en route to Margate).
Now over 30 years later, Adrian has revisited the locations he originally found and along with Mike Jones (author of BBC Book's official Only Fools episode guide) has put together an authentic Jolly Boys' Outing Location Tour!
Fans and admirers of Only Fools will be able to enjoy an unforgettable day out aboard a ‘Only Fools convention on wheels’, hearing the music and sharing in the adventure, all alongside Adrian’s memories and trivia from the making of the incredible episode.
THE TOUR
Our tour has been carefully planned to recreate the experience that the characters in The Jolly Boys’ Outing had in the episode, as well as what the Only Fools production team went through in Spring 1989 making it. We start our journey at Margate railway station (a location used in the episode itself). Once we are all aboard our specially decorated coach, we head out of the town towards the locations outside Margate...
Just like in the episode, there will be fun and games galore on the coach, with quizzes and spot prizes. Adrian and Mike will make sure you don't miss a thing, and our on-board screens will show rare photos and footage which has never been seen before. Our coach is fully air-conditioned and has a toilet too – we want all our Jolly Boys and Girls as comfortable as possible!
10:15 Rendezvous at Margate Railway Station
10:30 Morning Tour
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Afternoon Tour / Dreamland
17:00 Disembark at Margate Station
LUNCH
At the halfway point of our tour, we will stop at our lunch venue on Margate seafront. Decked out in full Jolly Boys’ regalia, here a delicious lunch of Fish and Chips with be served (with Vegetarian and Gluten-Free options available) along with a soft drink – all included in your ticket price.
(Don't worry, alcohol will also be on sale if you want it. Look out Margate - lock up your daughters!)
Joining you for lunch will be one of the STARS of the show.
We are keeping their identity under wraps until the day, but get ready for a selfie, a chat and an autograph!
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
During our tour, we will have several special photo points where guests can recreate classic scenes precisely from The Jolly Boys' Outing. With a box of props to help get into character. One of the team will be on hand to take these photos also!
* Remember to tag us in your social media posts.
It's @jollyboystours on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Youtube, X, and Reddit
DREAMLAND
We finish our tour at Dreamland, the same funfair the gang visited in the episode itself. Here we can wander around this iconic seaside amusement park and take a trip on the same scenic railway rollercoaster that the Trotter’s went on in the episode!
We'll end the tour here and leave you to enjoy the rest of your day.
* An additional, optional, entry fee may be required to enter Dreamland
THE PACKAGE
The price of your ticket will be £175 (inc VAT). The price includes a whole load of very special goodies, some will only be available for guests on our tour.
Fish & Chips lunch (dietary alternatives will be available)
Our exclusive lavish 80 page programme – filled with rare photos and details from the making of the episode.
A signed and annotated replica copy of Adrian’s Filming Schedule from 1989.
An exclusive tour tote bag filled to the brim with exciting Only Fools goodies (worth over £40)!
YOU KNOW IT MAKES SENSE!
Adrian and Mike really can't wait to welcome you on board our Jolly Boys’ coach in 2026 to celebrate John Sullivan’s classic Christmas special. The Jolly Boys’ Outing became a such a key part in the run of Only Fools and Horses and the delightful antics of the Trotters and the Nags Head gang on the Kent coast gave us some of the defining moments in a truly legendary series.
We are committed to making this a very special day for all fans young and old and a day to always remember. You can’t say better than that, can ya?
And when it's all over, you can send us some comments and photos to go on our Feedback page!
WHERE IS MARGATE ANYWAY?
Margate is in Kent, take a look at the map below.
Trains to Margate run regularly from London St Pancras
If you are driving you can find Margate Car Parks here.
However you choose to travel, meet us here at 10:15 for a 10:30 departure:
Margate Railway Station,
Station Approach,
Margate CT9 5AD
STAYING OVERNIGHT?
If staying overnight makes it easier, you can find Margate / Ramsgate Hotels here
Google Sites
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