National Motorhome & Caravan Show Birmingham NEC 17-22 October 2023 - Tips & Interesting New things!

Wombles

Wombles

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As the October Show https://mcshow.co.uk/ tickets are now on sale & the onsite camping is available to book think it's time to kick off this thread which hopefully may be of interest to some - if so please watch this thread &/or post anything that may be helpful to those going or to share with those who won't be there.
This year we plan to be at the Show for several days on the lookout for any new & interesting things & if we can pick up any Show discount codes or if there are some very good accessories maybe even a Fun discount code or two but no promises!
For anyone who hasn't been, this is one of the two largest Shows in the UK - this October Show is where most motorhome manufacturers launch their new models for the UK market & the best chance to speak direct to the manufacturers staff (weekdays) whereas the February NEC Show https://ccmshow.co.uk/ is more caravan & tent camping focussed with the motorhome stands showing dealer's new stock but still very good for accessories too. The Caravan Salon Show in Germany is much bigger again but these UK Shows are the best way to see & try the widest range of new motorhomes in one place without travelling overseas.

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Tickets - this is the link https://motorhomecaravanshow.seetickets.com/tour/the-motorhome-and-caravan-show but there are usually some small discounts using club codes - perhaps Jim has a Fun code or does anyone have any that they are able to share?
If Funsters are also CAMC https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/whats-on/shows-and-events/motorhome-and-caravan-show-2023/ &/or C&CC https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/advice/whats-on/motorhome-and-caravan-show/ members look out for their discounted ticket offers from £9.50 plus £1.25 transaction fee. Ticket price does include free parking & a paper copy of the Show Guide & handy map. Tickets can't be bought at the door only online & weekend days (especially Saturday) can sell out so booking those early is advised. There's lots of space to park motorhomes as well as cars but strictly no overnighting in the NEC car parks other than the official CAMC run (don't have to be members) onsite campsite https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/whats-on/temporary-sites/NEC-October-temporary-campsite/ at extra cost.
There are several competitions including one offering free Show tickets here https://mcshow.co.uk/competitions/ but please post any more options for free tickets that you spot:
WIN! Tickets to the Show
We've got 5 pairs of tickets up for grabs. To enter, all you need to do is email us at info@nccevents.co.uk and tell us why you can't wait to visit the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2023.
Entries must be sent by Friday 1st September, the winners will be contacted by email by Friday 15th September 2023.
 
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Does anybody know if dogs are allowed in, please?
Thank you :)
 
No, never have been since it opened last century!
 
Shingle pitch 3 nights two people £124.
 
Tips gleaned from previous visits but please post your own too :active: :
Car & motorhome parking is normally some distance away from the main building & as lots of Show halls to walk around so might be a good idea to hop on the free shuttle bus that take you from the carpark to the main entrance but don't forget to note which car park you are in!
Sensible shoes - not just because of the large area that you might cover but also going up & down all those motorhome steps of varying heights safely.
Wear layers as although may be cold outside it gets really hot in the halls with all the lights & people.
Taking a rucksack with food & drinks is a good idea as cheaper & don't have to queue. Suggest only one rucksack if two of you as some manufacturers don't allow them to be taken into their premium models so may have to take it in turns or leave it outside.
There is the option of visiting M&S Simply Food at the nearby airport by walking then using the free Air-Rail link - it's a bit of a walk but ideal if coming in by train & loads of people had M&S picnics last year. Any NEC staff should be able to point you in the right direction for anything as they are normally friendly & helpful.
Drinking water refill points are in the long corridors outside the halls so ideal to keep hydrated for free so long as you have a bottle.
You can go in & out of the halls freely just don't forget to get your hand stamped the first time you leave. Numbers of tickets sold will be restricted so that it shouldn't get too crowded but being able to get outside in the fresh air for a break is really good.
Pace yourself - it's a lot to get around (takes us at least two days!) & if you have a limited time suggest planning & prioritising the stands you want to see. Suggest having the floor plan https://mcshow.co.uk/plan-your-visit/show-map/ on your phone using the free NEC WiFi. There's usually more detailed info. about the traders & larger map at the back of the paper Show guide that can be picked up on arrival but there are also links to the relevant websites for the exhibitors listed here https://mcshow.co.uk/exhibitor-list/ & usually more info. about each one as the website fills up nearer to the time.
The free motorhome https://mcshow.co.uk/whats-on/motorhome-manoeuvring/ & campervan https://mcshow.co.uk/whats-on/campervan-test-drive/driving courses fill up quickly so book on arrival to reserve your slot & don't forget to take your driving license card.
Show days earlier in the week are best to have a chance to speak to the staff who work for the manufacturers about technical queries rather than just the dealers & normally less busy then too.
Use the free WiFi to check any prices or information online before buying - some sales staff don't know all the facts or might even make it up to get a sale :(
Take photos of Show prices & layouts (there are usually boards outside each motorhome) & anything else that you might forget later. It's easy to be dazzled by all the glitz & excitement of the Show.
Ask for a cooling off period with your choice of motorhome held if you do agree a sale - 24 hours is normal.
Be friendly & smile - it's long hours & hard work on the stands so more likely to get a good deal if you are likeable not demanding :)
If you find that you need to visit a different day to that on your ticket then you may be able to change it here https://motorhomecaravanshow.seetickets.com/customerservice - this depends on availability although always worth a try.

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Good news - we might have a couple of free tickets to offer courtesy of the media company for the Show! (y) Will post here & start a separate thread for the draw once confirmed...
 
Will post anything new that may be worth a look at the Show:
Bailey launch their first van conversion "Endeavour" in conjunction with Ford - just shows how popular van conversions are now but we are slightly biased & do love our sliding door :) Their website https://www.baileyofbristol.co.uk/endeavour-launch/ should have more details from 5 October onwards. Hoping that with a name suggesting adventure that it may be a rufty, tufty, practical version.

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Wombles said:
Will post anything new that may be worth a look at the Show:
Bailey launch their first van conversion "Endeavour" in conjunction with Ford - just shows how popular van conversions are now but we are slightly biased & do love our sliding door :) Their website https://www.baileyofbristol.co.uk/endeavour-launch/ should have more details from 5 October onwards. Hoping that with a name suggesting adventure that it may be a rufty, tufty, practical version.

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Bailey will also have their EV concept van, an All-Electric E-Transit, at the Show so something else new to have a look at.
Photo of E-Transit but not the Bailey concept version:

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For anyone planning on buying tickets just had an email with a bank holiday weekend offer for 1000 tickets at £11 each using code SUN https://motorhomecaravanshow.seetic...?OfferCode=SUN&dm_i=3VS4,1KUZR,5TL12S,5XLU4,1 - not quite as good as the clubs are offering (see post #2) but may be handy for anyone who doesn't belong to these & can't wait for competition tickets. Best to buy any you definitely need all in one go so only one £1.25 transaction fee.

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Wombles said:
For anyone planning on buying tickets just had an email with a bank holiday weekend offer for 1000 tickets at £11 each using code SUN https://motorhomecaravanshow.seetic...?OfferCode=SUN&dm_i=3VS4,1KUZR,5TL12S,5XLU4,1 - not quite as good as the clubs are offering (see post #2) but may be handy for anyone who doesn't belong to these & can't wait for competition tickets. Best to buy any you definitely need all in one go so only one £1.25 transaction fee.
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Thank you so much for this. After thinking we couldn't go because we have our little dog, we've now managed to arrange a friend to look after her and I've just bought our tickets for Wednesday 17th :) This will be our first show of this kind. We always wanted to go one in the years we had our caravan but never got to one. I'm super-excited about this!! :) Thank you so much Wombles :)
 
HKF said:
Thank you so much for this. After thinking we couldn't go because we have our little dog, we've now managed to arrange a friend to look after her and I've just bought our tickets for Wednesday 17th :) This will be our first show of this kind. We always wanted to go one in the years we had our caravan but never got to one. I'm super-excited about this!! :) Thank you so much Wombles :)
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That should be a good day as not as manic as the first day or the weekend (y) It's only a small saving on the tickets but hopefully one or two of the Tips on post #10 will help make your day go a bit smoother - we've been many times & also worked as volunteers at events at the NEC so feel free to post any queries here or send us a PM :)
 
Wombles said:
That should be a good day as not as manic as the first day or the weekend (y) It's only a small saving on the tickets but hopefully one or two of the Tips on post #10 will help make your day go a bit smoother - we've been many times & also worked as volunteers at events at the NEC so feel free to post any queries here or send us a PM :)
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Yes, your post has helped. We've been to the NEC before but not a MH or Caravan show. Also, I got the date/day mixed up!! Probably due to my trauma last night!! We're actually going on Tuesday 17th, so the first day. It's the only day we could ft in before our ferry back home to France :) Really looking forward to it!
 
More info about what's on & who will be there https://mcshow.co.uk/whats-on/special-guests/ is being added gradually on the website so worth checking back to plan your visit. Latest addition for Thursday:
TV and radio personality Jenny Powell, who recently appeared on Channel 5's Million Pound Motorhome with her family, will be joining us in the Insprational Theatre at 12:30pm on Thursday 19 October to share some of her favourite destinations, tips, tricks, mishaps and memories of life on the road in her campervan.
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Do the exhibitors publish lists of which vehicles they will have on their stands at the show - be very useful to know for planning my visit
 
adej said:
Do the exhibitors publish lists of which vehicles they will have on their stands at the show - be very useful to know for planning my visit
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Hi - the Show website lists which exhibitors https://mcshow.co.uk/exhibitor-list/ will be there & sometimes in the linking paragraph about the exhibitor it can mention any new models they are launching but not normally much detail. Probably best to follow the updates on the Facebook group for your manufacturers of choice & use the messaging function there to ask about specific models. Maybe try contacting the relevant UK dealers to find out what stock is being delivered there by the manufacturer or which models they are taking to the Show too. If you post which makes you are particularly interested in we can all look out for any latest info.
There is free WiFi at the NEC & if you have your hand stamped on exit from any of the busy Halls there are quieter spots in the main corridor or outside to research online. We take a one big rucksack & pick up any interesting leaflets to read through overnight & the Show guide (map in the back) to circle any stands that we've missed the first day to look at the next or go back to - a couple of weekdays has worked best for us when considering buying at the Show.
Taking photos of the stand outside each model which includes layout, spec. & pricing is a helpful reminder of which to research further online.
These were taken at last year's October Show:

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One to look out for in van conversions is Dethleffs debut into the UK market with their own brand Globetrail camper vans https://www.dethleffs.de/en/camper-van/ - in the last 17 years they have built over 55000 under other brands including Globecar so one for our list :) They have just announced that many models will be at the NEC Show & are promising exclusive trade fair offers (y)
 
Wombles said:
One to look out for in van conversions is Dethleffs debut into the UK market with their own brand Globetrail camper vans https://www.dethleffs.de/en/camper-van/ - in the last 17 years they have built over 55000 under other brands including Globecar so one for our list :) They have just announced that many models will be at the NEC Show & are promising exclusive trade fair offers (y)
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Now uploaded to the UK website https://www.dethleffs.co.uk/camper-van/

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We are going for 2 days to hopefully buy a new van or at least narrow down what one.
 
Competitions https://mcshow.co.uk/competitions/ - visit the stands to enter & always worth a try - the two big ones are a Canadian trip valued at over £12,500 from CAMC stand 9.95 & a £67K Swift Monza Campervan from C&CC on stand 8.10. If we spot any smaller competitions that can be entered including those that can be entered remotely then will post them on this thread too.

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Wombles said:
Latest addition for Thursday:
TV and radio personality Jenny Powell, who recently appeared on Channel 5's Million Pound Motorhome with her family, will be joining us in the Insprational Theatre at 12:30pm on Thursday 19 October to share some of her favourite destinations, tips, tricks, mishaps and memories of life on the road in her campervan.
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Seriously?! :doh: You mean the one who didn't seem to know anything about their van in the episode aired? The one whose daughter said her mum wasn't really interested in the van and didn't know much about it? The one whose van was referred to constantly as a California, despite it very obviously being nothing of the sort?

I don't have any issues with having motor homing celebs as guests at these shows, but I'd rather like to have celebs who actually DO know something about their vans and use them. So please DON'T now tell me that Jeff Glazier 'I've had my van 6 months and wow, I've just realised the bed base can go up with my pop top' is another person to 'inspire' me....
 
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Tonks said:
Seriously?! :doh: You mean the one who didn't seem to know anything about their van in the episode aired? The one whose daughter said her mum wasn't really interested in the van and didn't know much about it? The one whose van was referred to constantly as a California, despite it very obviously being nothing of the sort?

I don't have any issues with having motor homing celebs as guests at these shows, but I'd rather like to have celebs who actually DO know something about their vans and use them. So please DON'T now tell me that Jeff Glazier 'I've had my van 6 months and wow, I've just realised the bed base can go up with my pop top' is another person to 'inspire' me....
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Just sharing the latest info not suggesting that any celebrities or even influencers are creditable sources of motorhoming knowledge! They can however be entertaining so do appeal to some. The large community of knowledge & experience on here is the best source in our opinion.
 
Wombles said:
Just sharing the latest info not suggesting that any celebrities or even influencers are creditable sources of motorhoming knowledge! They can however be entertaining so do appeal to some. The large community of knowledge & experience on here is the best source in our opinion.
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I realised you weren't making a personal recommendation and were just passing on the published information. What I find depressing is that events like this pick up celebrities who at best appear to have a passing acquaintance with motorhomes. Although I guess since the programme was filmed it's possible that Ms Powell has discovered a real enthusiasm for her van. And knows what her van actually is...

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