Yes, it seems like only yesterday that the October Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show at the NEC was wrapping up after attracting a record number of visitors. Now its February sibling, the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show, is just around the corner, running at the NEC from 13 to 18 February 2024 and including its own fair share of debuts.
Whether you’re thinking of buying a caravan and want to talk to the different makes of caravans, 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.
There will also be a chance to stock up on all of these caravan essentials before the new season of touring begins, including the best caravan awnings, as well as the opportunity to listen to different speakers in the Event Theatre.
In this guide, we’re talking you through just a few of the brilliant things you can expect to see at the NEC Caravan Show.
Don’t have your ticket yet? Then don’t miss our ticket discount to the February NEC Show 2024 either! You’ll be able to get a 50p saving on a standard advance ticket, and £3.50 off the price on the door. The offer runs until midnight on 12 February 2024.
What’s new for the February NEC Caravan Show?
Caravans
If you’re heading to the show hoping to find the best caravan for the upcoming season of touring, you’ll be in luck. Whatever you’re looking for – from family-friendly six berths to an innovative tourer for two – you’ll find manufacturers big and small at the show showing the different types of caravans.
Adria – Stand 3060
No new launches from the Slovenian manufacturer, but you can expect to see a model from each of the company’s four ranges: the Alteas, with their new, more domestic-looking interiors, the mid-market Adoras and the luxurious Alpinas, plus the Action range, specially designed for those who like to use their caravan as a base for outdoor sports, too.
Bailey – Stand 3020
Two new models will be taking pride of place on the Bailey stand. The Ancona and the Amalfi are the latest additions to the Pegasus Grande GT75 range, brought out to celebrate the Bristol firm’s 75th birthday.
If you’re thinking that you might have seen the Ancona name before, you’ll be right: the five-berth was a model in the original Pegasus Grande line-up, launched just before the pandemic arrived.
However, as you’ll see from the review in the current issue of Practical Caravan, it has a completely different layout this time, with the rear lounge now replaced in favour of a rear washroom, and a side dinette opposite permanent bunks. The Amalfi, meanwhile, is a six berth caravans with a corner bed and bunks in the rear, and a large central washroom.
Barefoot – Stand 1008
Barefoot has built up a nice little niche market in monocoque caravans that have very stylish interiors. Recently, the company has started producing them in a wider range of special colours, too. So along with a dusky pink model at this show, you might see the new lilac-coloured version as well.
Camperlands – Stand 4230
The Manchester camping accessories supplier has branched out into producing teardrop caravans and small caravans in recent years, and this year, it will be showing the Campmaster Duo, its first-ever conventional caravan, which was highly praised at the Practical Caravan 2024 Tourer of the Year Awards.
The firm is also using the show to launch its newest product, the Jamet Eco, a trailer tent with sidewalls made from recycled jeans and a groundsheet from recycled plastic bottles.
Coachman – Stand 3000
Coachman will have an example of every one of its caravans on its stand at the NEC – in fact, some particularly popular models, such as the Acadia or the VIP 575, might even have duplicates.
So you should have all the opportunity you need to admire the two luxurious Lusso models, as well as 8ft-wide twin-axle Laser Xcels such as the Coachman Laser Xcel 850, standard Lasers, and the VIP and Acadia ranges.
Coachman is the only UK manufacturer to fit Alde wet heating in all of its vans – something you might appreciate in February!
Go-Pods – Stand 5082
These micro-tourers have had a serious redesign this season, and now come in a variety of external colours and internal styles. Their light weight also means that you should be able to tow them with even a relatively modest tow car.
The Go-Pod stand is always popular, so do be sure to take a look at what is on offer at the February event.
Marquis Leisure – Stand 3075
Marquis Leisure is best known as the UK’s largest motorhome dealer network.
However, it also has a flourishing touring caravan business, and its stand is the only place at the show where you can see the upmarket French range of La Mancelle caravans. These include the Liberty models, such as the La Mancelle Liberty 490 SA picture below, with their unusual pointed front, and the more entry-level Fantaisy range.
Mink – Stand 5140
Head to the Mink stand for the ultimate in high-end design. These rugged off-road teardrop caravans, Icelandic designed and Latvian built, have a comfortable double bed inside and a sturdy kitchen out the back. Mink Campers are now available in three versions – the original Mink-S, with a yellow trim, the more rugged Mink-X, with a grey trim, and the new, all-electric Mink-E, with a blue trim.
And more…
The February show is a little more dealer-focused than the October event. As such, there are several well-known names that will not have a stand of their own, but whose vans you should be able to see on dealership stands.
Erwin Hymer UK, for example, will not have its own stand. But you should be able to see Elddis models at Glossop Caravans (stand 2208), Marquis Leisure (stand 3075), Preston Caravans (stand 1056), Raymond James (stand 2102) Robinsons Caravans (stand 2210) and Wandahome South Cave (stand 2100).
Swift is also not exhibiting. But there should be models and dealer specials at Glossop Caravans (stand 2208), Grantham’s (stand 2200), Lowdhams (stand 3090), MG Caravans (stand 1060), Preston Caravans (stand 1056), Robinsons (stand 2210) and Wandahome South Cave (stand 2100).
Knaus and Weinsberg, meanwhile, should be represented at Grantham’s (stand 2200).
Awnings
Keep an eye out if you are shopping for an awning – you can often pick up a great bargain at the show. Here are just some of the models available
Glawning Stand – 1064
Yorkshire-based Glawning is known for producing awnings in a variety of fabrics that provide masses of extra room and look more like glamping tents. At this season’s show, you should be able to see a new 4m version of its popular 5m-wide polycotton three-door awning, known as The Hub. This comes with a zip-in groundsheet and is even provided with an opening where you can fit a stove flue.
Isabella – Stand 1048
Although there won’t be anything brand-new on the Isabella stand, this could be your first chance to get in an order for the new Isabella Nordic all-season poled awning, and the Ventura Dove air awning.
Both of these were launched at last February’s show, but didn’t go into production until November, so they are only going on sale now.
The Nordic, available in a 3m or a 2.4m depth, has acrylic sidewalls that are fibre-dyed at source, so they shouldn’t fade. The roof is PVC to keep the inside warmer. It comes with exterior blinds that fasten down, double mud-flaps, and an opening zip just below the central ventilation where you can attach a light. All of the removable panels are interchangeable.
The Ventura Air Dove comes with single-point inflation for quick assembly, plus foam pads and suction cups to ensure a close fit to the caravan. It also has an adjustable height, so you can attach it to different caravans.
Outdoor Revolution – Stand 1042
A full range of both lightweight and performance awnings should be on show from the West Yorkshire firm.
Vango – Stand 4150
You should see a full range of awnings on show here, everything from Balletto porch awnings, through the more conventional Riviera models to the larger Tuscany models with a curved front.
They come in a choice of fabrics, too, depending on whether you are looking for light weight or all-season durability.
Accessories
There’s always a splendid array of new kit at the February show, and here is our pick of the launches.
Cadac – Stand 5002
The camping oven specialist is expanding its range this season, with the 2 Cook 3, the Carri Chef 40 and the E Braai 40 FS. All of these models should be on display.
My Bespoke Mattress – Stand 2135
The company will be launching its new Viroclean mattress, which uses a fabric treatment to neutralise a wide range of viruses and bacteria.
The mattresses also feature mould and odour resistance, so should be ideal for caravans kept in storage over winter.
Trelino – Stand 4128
Making its UK debut at the show, German company Trelino makes composting toilets that are both water- and chemical-free, designed to be used sustainably anywhere.
Event stage
There’s a brilliant line-up of guest speakers at this February’s show.
You can still meet regulars such as Ray Mears, full-timer Marcus Leach and Kat Bird, aka The Wandering Bird, who this time will be talking about travelling the Wild Atlantic
Way in Ireland.
But this show also welcomes newcomers Annabel Croft, former Wimbledon tennis star and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, who is an active Caravan and Motorhome Club member. Look out, too, for actor and singer Will Mellor, former Hollyoaks and EastEnders star, who is also a keen campervanner.
Cookery demonstrations are always worth a look. At the show, among others, you can watch caravanner and TV chef Kwoklyn Wan show how easy it is to cook up a feast in a caravan – and talk about touring in Devon. Meanwhile, outdoor cook Harrison Ward (aka Fell Foodie) will be demonstrating how to cook up restaurant-style meals on a stove.
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