Questions about The Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show at Birmingham NEC in February, 2024

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watsonjones

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We plan to fly to England from the US in time for the The Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show at Birmingham NEC in February to kick off our search for a MH to purchase that we will use for six months a year for the next few years.

This will be our first show and so had a couple of questions not covered in the FAQ's on their website. I was going to email the show, but thought I might get a more honest response from the people on this Forum.

If we wish to attend multiple days, do we need to purchase multiple tickets? i.e. is a ticket valid for just that single day

Is any one day better than another to attend? Is there any difference to the schedule for the 13th through the 18th? Will all vendors be set up on all these days? I know at some shows we have been to the Vendors are still setting up on the first day and some may leave before the last day.

Is there an active 2nd hand sales market around this show?

Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks,
David
 
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Speaking from my experience I think you will need separate tickets for different days. Each day is the same apart from different "guest speakers" and clubs mat offer discount on their sponsored days.
Dealers will be fully open every day but might the smaller accessory ones might slow down before the end of the last day. Suspect you might get a better deal on the last afternoon if by then you are sure exactly what you want.
It's not exclusively dealers in New vans. Part will be tents and boats!
Book your accommodation in good time,
Hope this helps, and welcome
Mike
 
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There are hotels on the nec site which is next to Birmingham Airport, costs may be shocking I don't know ?? You may arrange to have rented a car and therefore you are free to enjoy local facilities. I'm sure others on here will have more local knowledge than me.
Just a suggestion, book your tickets for non consecutive dates so you have time to think- it could save you a lot of money!
Mike
 
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Hi David - to add to the reply above - weekdays are a bit quieter than the weekend so go before the rush if you can as difficult to get around when too crowded. Maybe have a read of the tips here https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...ober-2023-tips-interesting-new-things.289162/ - most will apply but the February Show will have less prescence from the manufacturers & the stock on display will be UK dealers demo stock of current models. Nothing secondhand at the Show but sure the dealers will be happy to advise on their used stock or potential trade-ins for the new stock that they have sold whilst there.
Hotels nearby do tend to be expensive when the Shows are on - one of the nearest is the Hilton Broken Link Removed & it's a good standard but there is a Premier Inn https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/west-midlands/birmingham/birmingham-necairport.html in walking distance as a more affordable option but may be full as usually booked up well in advance by stand staff.

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watsonjones said:
Thanks for the info. Any recommendations on accommodation?
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Plenty hotels nearby as you're pretty much on the airport. Airport has a mono-rail thing that runs to the NEC. I stayed at the Hilton and it was nice enough.
 
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I'll be borrowing my Mums car and will be driving up from the South, so should have plenty of options. Good idea about having a day between tickets, thank you.
 
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Wombles said:
Hi David - to add to the reply above - weekdays are a bit quieter than the weekend so go before the rush if you can as difficult to get around when too crowded. Maybe have a read of the tips here https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...ober-2023-tips-interesting-new-things.289162/ - most will apply but the February Show will have less prescence from the manufacturers & the stock on display will be UK dealers demo stock of current models. Nothing secondhand at the Show but sure the dealers will be happy to advise on their used stock or potential trade-ins for the new stock that they have sold whilst there.
Hotels nearby do tend to be expensive when the Shows are on - one of the nearest is the Hilton Broken Link Removed & it's a good standard but there is a Premier Inn https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/west-midlands/birmingham/birmingham-necairport.html in walking distance as a more affordable option but may be full as usually booked up well in advance by stand staff.
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Thanks for the response. I just read the posts you linked to about the October NEC show and have made several notes for our February visit. I appreciate all the tips.
 
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Possibly do some prior research into what type of layout you fancy / who does that layout / price range.
See them first - think about it - then check the others!
Aimlessly wandering around will only make you tired and confused.

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You don't need to stop at the airport hotels
, the transport links to Birmingham and Coventry via Birmingham International trainstation are very good. It's about 1/2 mile walk to the show from the station and it's all undercover. The link to the airport directly from the trainstation is via the mono link train that's free and takes about 5 minutes.
 
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Ref dealers setting up or leaving early. Nothing to worry about on that as they are not allowed. Like most proper exhibitions they have to set up prior to the opening time and can't move untill final closing.
You won't find many used vans at the NEC, a few possibly, it's mostly a showcase for new models and accessories.
 
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Thanks. We have done a lot of online research and visited a few local dealerships on trips to see family in the UK, but there is nothing better than sitting in multiple rigs, comparing them and talking with other show goers. There are so many brands out there, but since we ideally want a second hand unit a lot of it will depend on what is on the market when we get there. Ideally looking for a 7m MH with German or island bed layout and a garage.
 
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watsonjones I'd look around the big dealers with second hand yards, Brownhills and some Marquis sites. Theres quite a few motorhome dealers with 100+ units avaialble on sale for purchase. Note it still won't be instantly available, most seem to take 2-3 weeks after purchase for prep, fixing anything you note in shakedown etc.
 
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I mean AFTER the show. Its probably worth your time -> I mention Brownhills as they had a huge selection when we looked. But if you after a specific model you'll probbaly find only 4-5 on sale UK wide so will need to visit "other" dealers if you fall in love with a particular layout/brand. Brownhills will be top of the RRP range for reference (A van I purchased for £50k with options in July was being sold at £56k by them last week minus any of the options.).

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If you have a car I would recommend

Greswolde Arms Restaurant in Knowle,

Greswolde Arms is a beautiful, country-style pub where everyone feels instantly at home. Seriously good pub food, local ales and expertly chosen drinks are served by a friendly, knowledgeable team. Enjoy those welcomed moments with us, whether that be a quick drink after work, catch up with...
www.chefandbrewer.com www.chefandbrewer.com
It’s in a nice little village/town called Knowle about 10 mins drive to NEC. I occasional stay for business.
 
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We stayed in Birmingham itself when we attended the show last October.
Made a city break trip out of it.
With the tramways in the city centre it is easy to get from hotel to main station and then short train trip out to Airport/NEC.
Then you can walk or use bus services to show halls.
We went on the Tuesday and it seemed packed to us so wonder how busy it is at weekend.
I do think tickets are for day only. You do save a little bit buying in advance
 
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You do have to buy MC Show tickets in advance online as no sales on the door & Saturday is almost sold out now.
 
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If you like real ale, the Wellington in Birmingham central (walkable from new street) is highly reccomended, it's a pub that does no food, which is a rare thing in these times, but allowed you to order in takeaway. We usually visit when going to stuff in the NEC and have a "Wellington" day -> https://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk/ as well as a show day. It's one reason for booking in Birmingham central over the NEC (as well as the excellent resturants in Birmingam central).
 
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Before covid the big traders would give you a pass for the next day if you were interested in one of their vans and wanted to think it over. Maybe that is no longer the case.

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Thanks for all the responses, all very helpful. It is going to be interesting to see how this all goes, but we can always visit with family while we are looking.
 
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The February show is a lot smaller than the October show.
You still just about have time to make the October show.

It's a pity that you have missed THE big show, which is in Dusseldorf/Germany in September.
Many times larger than the NEC, and every trader is there, whereas many of even the major marques may not be displaying at the NEC in February.

For example, Hymer were not at the February show in 2021 or 2022,
They are listed at the October 2023 show, but with only 3 models on display
 
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