Have never been to the Earls Court forthcoming exhibition before but really fancy a day out. Just wondering if the experience would outweigh the obvious snags - ie very long day out, coach/train fares, child care (they don't want to come!), day off work etc. Am burning to have a look at the new Pennine range. Would the kids enjoy it if we dragged them along (8 and 13)?
It really depends on your kids - my 12 year old daughter is staying at home (school!) while my partner and I go to have a good nose round the whole show without any danger of her whining about being bored, and (hopefully) for order our Pathfinder (have to make sure that Pennine are doing a good deal first!). I agree it's a long day out (but these big exhibition centres have plenty of opportunities to take a break, especially if you don't mind sitting on the floor!) - you can always take a picnic to reduce costs if you don't want to pay exhibition centre prices for food. And I see it as the ideal opportunity to 'nose about' in those huge, expensive motor homes and silly sized and priced caravans they always have on show - great fun! They always look nice, but when you start to think about trying to clean them when the kids/dog/whatever have trailed half the field in, or even trying to get them through the gate of your favourite site ...!!
If you do decide to go, I hope you have a great time.
Thanks Scampi, already read about your new Pathfinder, bet you can't wait - deep breaths, it's nearly time! Your line about kids whining and geting bored strikes a chord, think it would be a great chance to have a good nose round, as you say - just have to convince other half ...
We have done this show a few times before... it's a fantastic day out... like Scampi says, you get to crawl all over the stuff you know you can't afford, but it's good fun.
Our kids, now 8 and 4 come with us, they get a little bored, but we take a break fro 20 minutes, go and find something for them to climb over or a stall for them to ogle at the electric toys and they're fine.
These shows are never overly kid friendly, but there is always a few satlls to keep them interested for 10 minutes at a time, which is great, and we enjoy the stall holders showing them what things do or getting annoyed because they keep touching..... well hey thats tough, if they're at a show to sell, then people want to touch.. even if they're not buying!! hehehehe
We had a stand at the show last year and I have attended as a visitor for the last few years. I have never taken my kids along but they usually have a huge kiddies area, last year, I think, there was a climbing wall and allsorts of stuff to keep them entertained.
With regards product range, a lot of the folding campers displays etc will happily show you how easily they go up and down, store away etc and is usually quite a good display. Normal tent displays are poor as are the range of quality accessory shops, if you want to buy Shrimps and massaging chairs then you will be sorted at the show! If you want a caravan or motohome then you are sorted, these dominate the show. Cheers Ratty
I want to go but I am afraid to look at the lovely motorhomes knowing I can't afford anything like it. Going around looking at older ones will be a bit tough after that. I think I should stay away to avoid disappointment.
I live fairly near as well so it would not be too much of a day. How crowded does it get,? I have a bit of a dread of really crowded places. When I was a kid my dad took us to a large exhibtion at Earls Court it was really crowded and for some reason my dad took ill. He was on his own with us four kids . He wasn't elderly or anything and I wasn't old enough to understand what was really going on but I was really frightened. It has put me off exhibitions ever since. That was over 40 years ago too. How pathetic am I.
I've not been to Earls Court before, but my Mum and Dad say that it wasn't as frantic as the show at the NEC when they went a couple of years ago (I have been to the NEC show - that was busy!) We are going on the Thursday, hopefully before the 'weekend' kicks in and it gets silly.
GO GO GO I o every year it does not matter if you can afford things or not just look at them and adapt what you have. In other words its worth the entre fee for the frebees and the ideas
My folks went earlier this week. They tell me that the folding campers and caravans had a great display but if you want bargin bits and bobs then do not wast your time.
We are in Chippenham Wilts and have a Conway Crusader - are you going to any rallies or such late this year or early next year?
Hope we can meet up one day
p.s i went to the show in Earls Court - pretty impressive but i did not see anything new from Pennine or Conway only very subtle changes if any in the units. The pennine has gas assisted struts and liked easy to open. The Conways as usual had the pull out beds etc..
The caravans were booooooooooooooootttttttttiiiffull!! some had bunk beds for kids etc and seem to be getting better (and more expensive)
I wanted to go to it this year but hubby working lots and lots and lots this week. I love looking round all the posh new caravans and dreaming of when we win the lottery! Hoping the luck that the newlywed couple from here had last week (won 2.3 mill ) rubs off on us too!!
Went to Earls Court yesterday and had a great time - saw the new Pennine range and I like that 2-tone green more every time I see it! Can't wait to get my Pathfinder now. OH had a good look at a couple of remote-controlled 'van mover systems, so I'm hoping he decides to invest in one - looks a LOT easier than trying to push/pull a tonne of trailer about (especially when he's at work and it's just my daughter and me to move it!). Other than that, loads of caravans and motorhomes to look at - I'm a committed canvas fan, but I could see myself with one of those motorhomes with a fixed bed when I'm old and knackered and can't handle the canvas any more! But it's true that there was actually very little by the way of camping accessories. Stil had a great time anyway - roll on spring the new season.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Earls Court Exhibition - worth it?
