As the halls of the NEC once again buzz with the best of the British outdoor leisure industry, we’ve been picking out our favourite must-sees. So if you’re still wondering whether or not to visit this weekend, this might just help you make up your mind. 

Of course, it goes without saying that this show is the perfect opportunity to have a look around the newest models from the leading caravan manufacturers and major dealerships, but there’s plenty more to pique your interest, too. 

There’s activities galore to keep kids and adults alike interested, such as the climbing wall that can be found at the back of Hall 4, the crazy golf which is in Hall 1, the Electric in Motion course in Hall 4 and of course the Top Dog Arena. 

The Freedom To Go Theatre, in Hall 2, sees a host of familiar faces giving talks on everything from caravan cookery to inspirational stories and touring ideas.

Today also saw a talk from Fliss Spink that covered everything you need to know about towing. If you missed it, though, The Camping and Caravanning Club’s towing instructors are giving free towing and manoeuvring sessions for the rest of the weekend, giving you the opportunity to get behind the wheel of Subaru’s latest tow cars and get some practical experience. 

For even more practical towing advice, get a free NCC Tow-Check at the stand in Hall 2 to make sure that your favourite car/caravan outfit is both safe and legal. 

Here are just a few of our personal highlights that you should look out for when you visit:

A Basecamp for four

Swift’s launch of its Basecamp 4 model at the NEC means that families as well as couples can now enjoy the stripped down “crossover” vehicle that’s aimed at adventurous types. The inclusion of bunks doesn’t intrude too much into living space, and you still have the innovative baskets and highly ergonomic washroom. 

Bailey reveals new ambassador

As well as revealing details of its latest adventure – an upcoming 12-day motorhome trip to the Sahara – Bailey also introduced one of its new ‘ambassador’ at the show. Andy Torbet is an underwater explorer, adventurer and TV presenter; “a motorhome isn’t just a great base for my exploration, adventure and filming projects, it also helps to balance the time away from home this work creates,” he said in a recent blog on the Bailey website.

Torbet is due to join the Bailey convoy to the Sahara in March; the journey will see a crew driving 3500 miles over the edge of the Atlas Mountains to the desert – it’s certainly one to watch out for!

On-site entertainment is stepping up

The Camping Cinema stand in Hall 2 shows the potential to transform movie nights when you’re on tour. The packages of high-end projection and audio equipment make up the ideal portable cinema, perfect for cosy nights in the van and inviting your campsite neighbours over for a cuppa and a special feature. 

Adventure accessories galore

Throughout the halls, there are plenty of accessories that stand out and promise to breathe new life into touring adventures, including the Kayacat inflatable catamaran that fits in a backpack.

We were also impressed by the outdoor seating options from Helinox, including the Personal Shade that features in the UK Outdoor Industry Awards stand in Hall 5, where you can vote for your favourite outdoor accessories.

One of the most eye-catching displays has to be on Ribble Cycles’ stand in Hall 5, near the camping zone, which features a bicycle hanging from a colourful collection of balloons.

If you want to visit the show this weekend, visit the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show website for full details. To read our full show report in an upcoming issue, make sure you don’t miss it by subscribing today!