This February, the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show returns to the NEC for the second year in a row, after a prolonged absence caused by the pandemic.
Two years ago, when we were all in the middle of yet another lockdown, you might scarcely have believed a return to normality would ever be possible. But thankfully, the event is back, with a great selection of caravans and accessories on display.
Whether you’re thinking of buying a caravan and want to talk to the different caravan makes, or are simply interested in the new season releases from the many different brands out there, the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show is the place to go.
Supply chain issues mean the show, from 21 to 26 February, might seem a bit light on new products. But here’s just a few of the brilliant things you can expect to see at the NEC Caravan Show.
What’s new for the NEC Caravan Show?
Adria
The main new focus from the Slovenian manufacturer is the new-look Altea range, now with silver sides and felt-effect interior walls. This includes the Adria Altea Dart, our winner of the best four berth caravan at the Practical Caravan Awards 2023, and also the Adria Altea Tyne, which will be making its show debut.
But there is also a new Alpina model – the Rio Grande – which features an innovative front kitchen, something of a rarity in the UK, which debuted at the October show.
Bailey
Bailey’s Pegasus Grande SE, Unicorn and Alicanto Grande ranges continue as before. This will include the new Bailey Alicanto Grande Evora model, which offers a transverse island bed and a rear washroom.
Making their show debut will be the second-generation Bailey Discovery range, which includes the D4-4L, a new addition to the range. This comes with a central kitchen, a transverse end washroom, and a side dinette.
Coachman
A slimmed-down model tally for 2023 at Coachman still leaves space for a clutch of new models. These include the Coachman Laser Xcel 855, with a kitchen unusually on the nearside, and the Coachman VIP 675, a twin-axle version of the best-selling 575.
Revamped models include the Laser 665.
Erwin Hymer UK
This season, EHG UK has made all of its Elddis Crusader and Compass Camino models 8ft wide. Both ranges also feature a new model (Crusader Tempest or Camino 668), with bunks in the rear corner next to a double bed on the offside.
Knaus
There should be a wide selection of vans from Knaus and its budget Weinsberg brand, including the “self-healing” Knaus Azur 500FU, along with a broad range of more specialist vehicles.
Swift
This February, Swift is making a return to the show, having chosen not to attend last year. So you can expect to see smart new interiors in all of its ranges, in addition to a new six-berth model, the 670, in the Challenger Grande line-up – the new name for what was the 8ft-wide Challenger X.
Sprite Super, the 8ft-wide sub-range, has also been renamed Sprite Grande.
Look out, too, for the new Basecamp 3, which also featured at the October show. This features a bed at the front that folds away to provide more storage space for bikes, with a single side dinette that can be made up into a third berth.
What else will be on display?
Other manufacturers at the show include Campod, which has moved into building caravans based on the trailers that it has been producing for mobile caterers.
You’ll also be able to see Trigano, with its Silver range of folding caravans.
The Icelandic-designed, Latvian-built Mink offroad teardrop caravan will be on display, too, in a variety of new colours.
Awnings at the NEC Caravan Show
Bradcot
It’s not so much what’s new at Bradcot this season, but more where it’s coming from.
This year, the firm has decided to move all of its manufacturing back to the UK (a trend that is more common than you might think, known as ‘onshoring’).
The company says it was persuaded to do this by the disruption in the supply chain caused by Covid and Brexit. It says moving production back to the UK and season, but more where it’s coming from.
This year, the firm has decided to move all of its manufacturing back to the UK (a trend that is more common than you might think, known as ‘onshoring’).
The company says it was persuaded to do this by the disruption in the supply chain caused by Covid and Brexit. It says moving production back to the UK and training the required number of people has not been particularly easy, but it now has a management team boasting over 100 years of working for the firm between them, and is building up staffing in Bradford.
To boost its claim to be the only major caravan awning manufacturer to make its products in the UK, it will be launching the 2023 range at the show with a special ‘Made in Britain’ logo.
Dometic
Among Dometic and Kampa’s new products, look out for the Residence Air All Season, a new polycotton awning that is available in a choice of six different sizes.
Isabella
Isabella’s new products for the 2023 season include a sun canopy that goes with its ever-popular Penta awning.
If you have a caravan fitted with a roll-out awning, look out for the clever new Buddy model, which adds side and front panels to this to make a full awning.
Quest Leisure
Quest Leisure imports awnings from the German Westfield brand, including the new all-season Galaxy. This is a full air awning with single-point inflation, made from Tencate fabric on the roof and Mehler Airtex fabric on the sides.
The company also produces awnings under its own name. This season, these include the Falcon Canopy, a lightweight 150-denier canopy featuring one main “supertube” and three roof beams.
And more…
Although it probably isn’t the top item on any caravanner’s shopping list, a tent can come in useful, especially if you tour with children who like their own independence, or you want more room to store kit onsite.
For the first time, the February 2023 NEC Caravan Show has a dedicated Tent and Camping Hall, with a 14% increase in the number of models on display when compared to last year.
There will be plenty of brands available to browse, including Outwell, Outdoor Revolution, Coleman, Regatta and Vango. Cinch Pop-Up tents will also have a stand, as will Zempire.
Accessories at the NEC Caravan show February 2023
The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show is a great way to find out about the latest caravan essentials – here’s our pick of the new products on display.
Cadac
The modular barbecue maker is expanding its range for 2023 and new products on its stand include the 2 Cook 3 portable stove (above) and the Braai 4. Take a look at our best caravan barbecue guide for more ideas too.
Nagonic Design
The portable solar panel manufacturer will be launching the Solar Lander, which rotates in line with the sun for optimal battery charging. It even senses sunset, and returns to the expected sunrise position ready for the next day.
Specialised Cover
Specialised Covers’ new caravan roof cover is tailored to your van’s unique shape, and takes account of TV aerials and other roof-mounted items.
Made from the same non-abrasive, waterproof, breathable Torrent material as the brand’s full covers, the roof cover fits into the awning rails on each side of the caravan and is secured with zips.
Tuck Me Under
This Nottingham firm set up shop just before the pandemic, making all kinds of bedding designed for caravans, as well as replacement curtains.
Its patented Tuck Me Under design incorporates a ‘valance’ to ensure the bed stays neatly tucked in during the day.
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