We queued for over half an hour to get into a carpark. There were no road signs to the venue 'Event City' and it all seemed a little chaotic. The queues backed up to the motorway.The main car park was full so we ended up parking in the Trafford Centre. If anyone else is going, we would recommend parking there and walking over to the show. Based on our experience at 11am today it could save you a lot of hassle.
Once in we enjoyed looking at all the vans and motorhomes. All the main brands were present along with large stands from both clubs. The organisers claim that this year's show is 50% bigger than previous ones. To be honest we couldn't really tell. There were a lot of statics present from various holiday parks.
There were more awnings on display than last year. Isabella had a stand near to the entrance and others were near the equipment stands. We were a little disappointed by the accessories on offer, although we did get some screw in rock pegs which were on sale for £5 for 10.
Lots of food stands - the queues for these were massive when we left at 1pm. Overall. it was a good day out. Car parking is free which is a big bonus and we were lucky to have some complimentary tickets. Both clubs are offering free towing tasters and the Caravan Club definitely had spaces available at approx 11am.
We went today. Got there at 10.00, so got a good parking space.
Looked at some of the motorhomes, especially the £100K one ...... no gold taps, therefore a low score on the Rooney scale.
Caravans were interesting. Lots of brown and beige furnishings with 1960's style swirls - pretty disgusting, to be honest. Dark wood is back with a vengeance. Fixed twin beds ..... is the for couples who have given up on "life?" We actually like some of the Sprite lightweight ones. Had a laugh at the new Pennine collapsible caravan - half of the tiny inner space was a fixed bed - I mean, you wouldn't, would you. The accessories section was much bigger.
So a good few hours, but we both left with a splitting headache (ventilation?) ..... and went straight to a motorbike shop as an antidote to the fixed twin beds.
Why is it that at all the caravan shows they never provide enough seats or tables so that people do not have to resort to sitting on the floor all over the place to have some dinner.
I've told the wife now that if I suggest going to another show she can slap me.
I didnt go myself this year but have been on previous years and been disappointed. My parents went and used public transport. They said it was a nightmare to get too and the traffic was chaos. Personally I think it was a mistake moving it from its city centre location.
I went yesterday, too, but got there at 10 a.m. I went M56, M6, M62 in the end and sailed through. Coming out was different at 4 o'clock but that was due to the speed on the motorway being reduced to 40 right at the junction where you get on, not to the roads from the venue itself.
I saw one sign quite near the beginning of the Trafford Centre to Event City but then there was a smaller sign to the show just before each roundabout. You do have to keep your eyes open for them though.
I enjoyed the show but only saw one van I might have considered if I'd had nearly £40k to spend. I don't see the fixation (if you'll excuse the pun) with fixed beds - they take up far too much room - and some of them had ladders to get up to them. Great if you have to crawl over someone and then down a ladder to go to the loo in the night.
I went on Thursday and came off the M60 at Jn9 which was also queuing but the traffic lights where only on green for 5-6 seconds to allow traffic off the motorway. This junction takes you a little nearer to the event than jun 10. We were directed onto the Trafford center car park and walked across which was OK. I haven't been to a show since 2005 because it was at the Gmex so even though we queued, nothing like 30min more like 10-15, I would go to this one at event city again. The show was very good and plenty to see and virtually no queue into the show itself. Although we got what we wanted, I also felt the accessories side was lacking.I came away at 13:30ish and there where no queues anywhere but the car parks where chocker by this time but still plenty of room with a bit more of a walk. Its well worth a visit if you want to keep your options open when looking for a new van or motor home, there where plenty to see if you could get in one!!!!
Went past today (going to Trafford Centre to play golf) It looked like half of Manchester were there!
------------- 2026
Various weekends, weather and time permitting
April - Yorkshire and Yorkshire
June - Wiltshire and Oxfordshire
Autumn - North and Scotland
Went Saturday morning , i live 7 miles from the trafford centre . Plenty of parking but motorway struggles with the volume of traffic for the trafford centre alone without adding events like this to the congestion.It took a while to get parked up but at least there was no parking charge . The venue is better than Gmex seemed plenty there & dealers appeared to be taking plenty of orders . Accessory area was very busy but didn't spot any obvious bargains .Was amazed to see people wanting to try their hand at towing around the busy roads around the trafford centre.I'm an experienced tower that last thing to appeal to me would be dragging a 'tin tent' around those hectic roads ! Spent a couple of hours there, wife says i'm banned from going next year - new van ordered !
i am very pleased that i tryed tow at the show it proves that i can tow the van one in town, two at a very busy time, three i picked up some good tips and finaly i was told that i am very good at towing the van not bad for a little woman who usually just tows on motorways
We wnt yesterday and were so annoyed that they simply could not organise car parking. We were told there was no room and waved on, expecting to find another steward waving us into another car park. Nothing! I ended up turning round on the motorway roundabout then parking outside regatta's factory. However once in, I was pleasantly impressed. Although not with Glossop caravans and their very very pushy salesmen. We felt pushed into a corner to give a guy an order on a £16k 4 berth van. We only wanted to know what the monthly payments would be. He wanted a deposit and a finance proposal. We did get away then found sprite who had a lovely 5 berth for just over £12k. Fianance proposal being put through and no money has exchanged hands and wont do until we know we can get finance. Well done Sprite-Glossop caravans can stick their vans.
------------- When there's a knock at the door, why do dogs always think its for them?
Fat people are harder to kidnap
I am a bomb technician, if you see me running, try to keep up!
We went yesterday and arrived around 9.30 and parked no problem. I agree re the signs especially if travelling from outside of Manchester.
Loved the different vans especially the led strip lighting beneath the cupboards in some - idea for OH to adapt ours
It was so warm inside the hall that we came out for some fresh air during the day - and came out at the end of the day with a new awning !!!!! - can't wait to try it out.
question for you guys that attended the show.....
There was a guy selling some grills that go on top of the stove and cook like a george foreman, but still keep your meat moist. They were £30 for 2 but I cant think for the life of me what they were called. Does anybody have any ideas? Im looking for 1 online as I didnt have the money at the show.
I do wish they would just sell them at half price for 1 instead of full price for 2-not everybody wants 2 of a product.
------------- When there's a knock at the door, why do dogs always think its for them?
Fat people are harder to kidnap
I am a bomb technician, if you see me running, try to keep up!
We went today, got there about 9.35am so only had to queue around the last roundabout. We enjoyed it - particularly all the dealer exclusive models. Apart from little outfits for the kids Jofli bears we bought ourself a small Outdoor Revolution porch awning and got a great deal! So very happy nice easy up awning for our first weekender in March
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: Manchester Show
- can't wait to try it out.
