The Motorhome & Caravan Show NEC

Would love to go, but after being at the Kings Hall last year I think it has put me of them for life.

I was at the NEC on Thursday and what a show. Well with the cost of going and the vastness of it was amazing. So many halls and so much to see. One would really need two days to take it all in. Next year when I'm retired I hope to take tha MH over and camp at it for a few days.

There's no comparison with the King's Hall. It's not in the same league at all so there's no use in comparing the two shows.

Ally you are right but I felt I could not be so blunt. But now that you've opened the door itbwasva waste of money.

LOL...Perfect..

I wonder what the thoughts and opinions of other Craic folk think about the Kings Hall Show?

The NEC is a huge show, it's true. But a few of the outdoor shows over here are also pretty big, and also worth a visit.

The Warners shows at Peterborough, Malvern, Newbury, Cheshire and Lincoln, and the Stone show at Shepton in September all feature plenty of vans (new and "preloved") and accessories stands.

What these shows offer that the NEC doesn't is cheap camping for the duration of the show (not normally with hook up, but sometimes with showers), and nightly entertainment. OK, so the acts are mainly tribute bands and recycled "oldies", but they're quite good nonetheless, and of course there'll be a bar...

There are 24 shows planned at outdoor venues all over the UK next year from March to September. The main organisers are Appletree, Stone, Event and Warners, plus a nice little one at Carmarthen by Daffodil Events.

Steve

srsly though, after meeting Jack the Rev (Hi Jack!) at the NEC, and maybe just two other couples from Ireland at the NEC, it occurs to me that taking in a few of the outdoor shows over here would be a fairly cheap way of touring the mainland for folks coming from over the water.

Most shows also offer a shuttle bus service from the venue to the nearest town, and the Stratford-upon-Avon showground is within walking distance of the town centre, along the river.

At some of the shows you can turn up to camp well in advance of the actual show, so you could spend a few weeks travelling around from show to show.

Steve

Yeah, now that's a very interesting idea! I did look to see if there were any big motorhome events in Dublin or Belfast when we first started doing shows, but couldn't find any.

I guess the trick is to convince all the dealers and traders that it'll be worth the trip to Ireland. Sometimes over here at some of the smaller shows it's touch and go whether I'll cover my costs if I have to travel far, once the diesel for the motorhome is factored in. I can't find the numbers for motorhome registrations in Ireland, but I'd stab a guess at them being lower than the UK's.

I'll have a chat to the people I know at the show organisers - you never know!

Steve
(Of course, if you're looking for a BIG show, you need to trek over to Dusseldorf in August...)