We went yesterday to the show and had a fantastic day out. Our whole family went - we had got there for the show opening and stayed til it was almost ended. Kids had a great time on the climbing wall, canoes/kayaks, Zorbing and a few other free activities (MAKE SURE YOU BOOK ASAP) They had balloons, face painting etc - it was a great day out.
We looked at the tents - got a free outwell windsock and a couple of lanyards - almost won £200 Vango voucher for being the quickest family to put up the AirTent thingy 40.19 seconds!!! but got pipped right at the end Lots of "dream" items but happily nothing made me want to replace what we had. In fact, I bought a little pull along cart for £10 and that was my only spend of the day.
This was our first show and I would thoroughly recommend it. We took our own lunch - lots of spots to sit down and eat (on the floor)and lots of people doing it. There is a campsite cooking demo - got a few ideas there and met two celebraties that I had no idea were celebraties lol.
A BIG THANK YOU for all your advice which I have taken careful note of!!
HOWEVER, due to other important commitments on the weekdays this week it looks as though we will have, after all, probably have to go on Saturday. (We have important Church commitments on Sunday and have to prioritise those too)
Is it VERY CROWDED on Saturday?
Sorry if that's a silly question!!
However, in the light of our probably going on Saturday any tips on going to the Show ON A SATURDAY.
We are going on Saturday too, and was wondering if it takes a long time to get parked, is there any queues into car park? What would be best time to get there?
Also, is there a best time to leave due to everyone trying to get out at same time?
Quote: Originally posted by scotzlynnie on 20/2/2013
We went yesterday to the show and had a fantastic day out. Our whole family went - we had got there for the show opening and stayed til it was almost ended. Kids had a great time on the climbing wall, canoes/kayaks, Zorbing and a few other free activities (MAKE SURE YOU BOOK ASAP) They had balloons, face painting etc - it was a great day out.
We looked at the tents - got a free outwell windsock and a couple of lanyards - almost won £200 Vango voucher for being the quickest family to put up the AirTent thingy 40.19 seconds!!! but got pipped right at the end Lots of "dream" items but happily nothing made me want to replace what we had. In fact, I bought a little pull along cart for £10 and that was my only spend of the day.
This was our first show and I would thoroughly recommend it. We took our own lunch - lots of spots to sit down and eat (on the floor)and lots of people doing it. There is a campsite cooking demo - got a few ideas there and met two celebraties that I had no idea were celebraties lol.
Hope you all have as much fun as we did!!
Well, I'm absolutely shattered now...... and we don't go until Sunday! :-)
I do hope there's a nice quiet "Adults only" camping area, so we can sit on the swings and enjoy the peace! ;-)
------------- 2024: 38 nights thus far...
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2014: 34 nights
2013: 36 nights
From July 2012: 23 nights
I must admit I was glad to get home....my feet were killing me lol.
We got there for opening and had no trouble parking. I didn't realise there was a shuttle bus and take note of the car park your in...we walked to the NEC from the car park (10 mins) but got the bus back. Again no problems leaving the NEC but we did leave about 5.45pm.....was nice and quiet inside the show then too.
You can't book any of the activities prior to arrival and they are in opposite halls. Wall climbing (hall 4) and canoeing (hall 1). It does get busy so may be worth splitting up to book, then regrouping...it was very popular. They had a free for all session at 4.30pm for the water zorb but we didn't even wait as the queue was very big and the kids had been on already.
Mucker 1884 - the kids are kind of absorbed into the whole thing and there are plenty of areas kid free - mostly the £75,000+ motor home section lol