No more Motorhome shows for us

[Hettie's Crew]

We attended the Stafford Classic Motorcycle Show today and it struck us how dire Motorhome shows have become since the pandemic. Today was packed out with stalls, exhibitions, dealers, clubs and demonstrations. It reminded us how we used to feel at Motorhome shows, though not for a long while, when you couldn’t find that stall you’d seen previously and felt you hadn’t seen everything because it was so big and crowded. Over the last few years the ones we’ve been to (Lincoln, Shepton, Norwich, Peterborough, Malvern and don’t even mention Edinburgh) have been very disappointing. No more I’m afraid.

 

[Gaston aires]

I only go for the Music and mixing with other funsters/friends.

 

[bobnick]

Only ever went to one, that was too many.

 

[daveclare]

Funny how opinions differ. My friends have been visiting Stafford for years. They said this years show was rubbish.

 

[Jim]

There is a lot more going on at the outdoor Warner's Shows these days than ever before. I think they've worked hard on improving them.

In the last decade, the big dealers stopped attending, they went through a flat spot and lots of people stopped going. Warner's had to up their game to keep punters coming. They added more to the shows, added daytime entertainment, speakers, demos etc. But now with the dealers back at the shows in numbers, it's like old times and a win-win,

Years ago, the show staff were notoriously authoritarian and awful, but they changed under Sally Dodds and they are now much more customer focussed. It's paying off for them. They're attracting many more people, and the shows are much busier trade wise than they were in the few years before the pandemic. Add the fact that they are a great way to meet or make friends; I think the shows will be going strong for a few years yet.

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[Janine]

...and then there are Appletree shows which, in my opinion, are pretty dire.

The Stratford show this weekend had about 20 trade stalls, half of which were not motorhome or caravan related.

It used to be cheap and cheerful but at £20 a night is no longer cheap.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

The main reason we go to the shows is too meet up with friends have a look around at the vans or whatever is on sale. Plus whats to check out nearby town wise.But it really depends on value for money as well. At £20 a night. No thanks. So places like Chester and Stratford have missed out for us this year.

 

[Nanniemate]

I lost interest in shows when looking for a replacement tap

None of the stalls stocked taps as its a specialist item....

Could get loads of bungies and cable ties though

And more doggy accessories than you can get a crufts.

I did buy some gorilla glue, which of course you can only source at a specialist motorhome show

Came close to a new to me van last year, even looked at it twice but if I'm taking time to think it's not right. So no more shows for me.

 

[Lenny HB]

Not gone to a British show for over 30 years, now only ever go to Caravan Salon at Düsseldorf, never been disappointed.

 

[carolyn]

We didn’t get to any shows last year as we were vanless over the Summer unless you count our daytrip to Newbury which resulted in us being Vanless as we ordered our Consort Oslo and we sold our IH. We knew we were buying it before the show, Scot was expecting us!

We spent a couple of hours there to get over the shock! Quite a few stalls, nice atmosphere, we didn’t see any Funsters but we were done and dusted by 12, you lot were still on your coffee and chats. Managed to buy a pile of cheap white corelle plates and dishes of all sizes like our current stuff, well chuffed.

Hopefully get to Malvern this year but the show is just part of meeting up with people which is the main event really.

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[Simon Meadwell]

Manchester show this winter was very disappointing.

 

[quentinsf]

We go when we're thinking of changing our van. But we're on number three now, so that's probably our lot.

 

[Rodneyplonker]

Funny how opinions differ. My friends have been visiting Stafford for years. They said this years show was rubbish.

I may be wrong but I though the OP's comment was about a Classic Motorcycle show?

 

[tonka]

We are currently at Stratford, like Janine said it's pretty dire. A very small row of stalls and a few dealers. If I had paid to come in as a day visitor I would want my money back. !
After over 20 years of owning motorhomes visiting the show is now more about meeting up with others. I did see the low numbers of Funsters attending so cut our usual week down to 5 nights. Been a few pay on the gate arrivals but also some are leaving earlier than planned.. luckily we have had good weather.

 

[quentinsf]

I may be wrong but I though the OP's comment was about a Classic Motorcycle show?

I think the comment was about how poor motorhome shows are now compared to the motorcycle one they visited.

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[Jimbohorlicks]

I may be wrong but I though the OP's comment was about a Classic Motorcycle show?

They also referenced the motorhome shows

It reminded us how we used to feel at Motorhome shows, though not for a long while, when you couldn’t find that stall you’d seen previously and felt you hadn’t seen everything because it was so big and crowded. Over the last few years the ones we’ve been to (Lincoln, Shepton, Norwich, Peterborough, Malvern and don’t even mention Edinburgh) have been very disappointing. No more I’m afraid.

 

[Clive Mott]

Malvern is especially lovely. Sally Dodds retired in 2024 I believe, but the team continues.

 

[Rodneyplonker]

I think the comment was about how poor motorhome shows are now compared to the motorcycle one they visited.

Exactly! But it went off on a tangent and misled further posters,

 

[jongood]

Funny how opinions differ. My friends have been visiting Stafford for years. They said this years show was rubbish.

I agree, big gaps at Stafford yesterday, inside and out, still an interesting show though. There was a good selection of bikes, actually a 4 cylinder KH625 for sale and some good spares places.

We're thinking about our first motorhome show for quite a few years, Newbury, now having second thoughts.....

 

[Bill-H]

I've not been to a motorhome show and can't think of a reason why I'd want to go to one.
I'm busy taking unused stuff out rather than adding to it with the latest must-have gadgets.
I guess if I was looking to buy a new motorhome, a show may be the opportunity to see several manufacturers offerings all in one place, but half an hour browsing on-line at home would have eliminated unsuitable vans anyway.
Perhaps the internet has somewhat negated the need to physically attend such events.

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[Golfer]

We attended the Stafford Classic Motorcycle Show today and it struck us how dire Motorhome shows have become since the pandemic. Today was packed out with stalls, exhibitions, dealers, clubs and demonstrations. It reminded us how we used to feel at Motorhome shows, though not for a long while, when you couldn’t find that stall you’d seen previously and felt you hadn’t seen everything because it was so big and crowded. Over the last few years the ones we’ve been to (Lincoln, Shepton, Norwich, Peterborough, Malvern and don’t even mention Edinburgh) have been very disappointing. No more I’m afraid.

Very disappointed that there is no fifties weekend this year, I definitely won't be going to norfolk this year. looking at the entertainment for other shows I'll probably only go to Newbury this year.

 

[Ditcha]

I agree, big gaps at Stafford yesterday, inside and out, still an interesting show though. There was a good selection of bikes, actually a 4 cylinder KH625 for sale and some good spares places.

We're thinking about our first motorhome show for quite a few years, Newbury, now having second thoughts.....

KH625 what sort of price was that going for who built it ?

I used to go to motorhome shows to pick up a bargain but that ain't the case anymore you actually end up paying a premium but that's the internet for you.
Still good value for money and good meet ups with funsters and others oh and free bacon/ sausage butties and entertainment

 

[carolyn]

I may be wrong but I though the OP's comment was about a Classic Motorcycle show?

It was, I think they meant that it was absolutely amazing and why aren’t Motorhome shows like that. Some of us think they are of course and wouldn’t like a show about motorbikes.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

If, as a couple say the Stafford Classic Bike show isn’t as good this year as previous years it was still way better than any Motorhome show we’ve attended in recent years. When we left we weren’t sure we had seen most of it. We went to Malvern last and had a problem with the van, only able to stay the first night so had a walk round on the first day and covered it in about an hour then set off home.
The one thing that was poor in comparison was the organisation and Marshalling, not up to Warners standards. We were told “just go up there, there’s another motorhome, just leave room”
It was a field with no marking posts and no Marshals to guide.
Another good point was the amount of food outlets at reasonable prices for what turned out to be good.
It’ll be a while before I’m tempted back to a Motorhome show, plus they appear to have gone up in price quite a bit too.

 

[WESTY66]

I partially agree with Jim, I think the warners shows have picked up a bit in the last two years (after a bit of decline prob due to Covid) prob back to the time when we did our first show (Norfolk) which we remember fondly, icantremember brian was the first funster we’d met when he parked us there and it was Norfolk where I saw all the blue flashing growler alarms for the first time then subsequently had one fitted.
We’re booked for 3 shows this year and tbh we really look forward to them, and we miss the Peterborough show, the replacement Newark although nearer for us, isn’t as good imho.
Chester foodfest was a good weekend back in 2019 but has been in decline ever since and this years was rubbish, we won’t be returning to Chester foodfest that’s for sure!

As an aside maybe the reason we like them is that we don’t spend as much time in the van as those who are retired and are frequently off abroad etc so we look forward to these mini breaks away from work, they’re pretty easy to get to and on the whole you know what you’re getting into, and also you get parked superbly by the funster marshals (I’ll expect my usual vip pitch)

What happened to the stoneleigh show with all the retro stuff?

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[Tony50]

It's not the quality of the Warner's Show, as probably venues are limited for them ,it's the fixed facilities (not temporary) such as toilets/ Shower blocks that quite frankly disgusting,ie, broken toilets, terrible showers ,unclean. The companies that own some of these venues have better and cleaner facilities for animals

 

[Jim]

Malvern is especially lovely. Sally Dodds retired in 2024 I believe, but the team continues.

AFAIK. Sally is still head of Events. Just checked out and about live and linkedin, and it would appear she is still in place.

 

[Kybod]

What happened to the stoneleigh show with all the retro stuff?

HS2 is presently ploughing its way through half of the showground.

 

[scotzsue]

didn't know about the stafford bike show, think we would have enjoyed that, but it does clash with MotoGP watching
Also miss the Peterborough show, looking forward to meeting up with folk we haven't seen for a few years at Newark, not a replacement for Peterborough there has been one at both for years.
Also wont be going to Chester food and drink, too many stall the same and prices are too high, the pricing structure for pitches too has changed, making it not really viable for solos.
Best part of the shows has always been the people we have met and the conversations, advice, and banter.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

I suspect many who come to Warners shows on the Fun area are doing so mainly to meet with other funsters. I doubt I would attend any of the Warners shows if I were not marshaling for Motorhome Fun. Of course when it happens the afternoon funster band can be a good vibe.

But, I can have a cheaper weekend away with better quality amenity block on a grass only C&CC pitch. I have yet to do any of the evening show entertainment, but know many go just for this. Once I've walked round the stalls I do so again only for something to do. But quality if stalls and dealers is variable, dealers definitely better last year as they had stock to sell, but I don't clamber over vans as I'm not looking to buy.

Malvern, Newbury, Lincoln now the biggest with Newark a poor substitute for Peterborough as it's a different time of year so many usual exhibitors not present.

Will be interesting to see if added cost of the Evenbrite ticket admin fee affects attendance this year, which benefits Warners as their systems were too old, but not the customer.

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