Motorhome and Caravan Show fills 11 halls at the NEC

The Motorhome and Caravan Show returns to the NEC on Tuesday 13 October, with six days of caravans, campervans and motorhomes for the 2027 season.

The show runs until Sunday 18 October, opening from 10am to 6pm each day. Manufacturers and dealers will fill 11 halls, in halls 6 to 12 and 17 to 20, alongside touring organisations offering advice on ownership and travel.

What to expect

• New models for the 2027 season from manufacturers and dealers.
• The chance to speak directly to manufacturers about specifications.
• Travel talks.
• Motorhome manoeuvring and caravan towing taster sessions from the Caravan and Motorhome Club, subject to conditions.

Advice for first-time buyers

Exhibitors say comparing models in person is the best way to see how sleeping, seating and storage would work for a household. Adwick Caravans, which is exhibiting, said: "A layout might look right in photographs, but you need to consider how it will work when everyone is getting ready in the morning or spending a wet afternoon indoors."

"Understanding who will be travelling, the trips they have in mind and their budget helps us explain which options might suit them," it said.

The Camping and Caravanning Club advises anyone buying at an event to check where the seller is based, and whether they would need to travel for servicing or warranty work.

Other things to check

• Towing: check your car's towing limit in the handbook, and make sure your driving licence covers the car and caravan combination you plan to use.
• Storage: work out where you will keep a caravan or motorhome when it is not in use, as many homes and estates have restrictions.
• Running costs: budget for insurance, servicing, pitch fees and fuel, as well as the purchase price.

A big week for the NEC

The show is one of the NEC's largest consumer events of the year and draws visitors from across the country, bringing business to hotels, restaurants and transport around the site. The NEC, beside Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International station, is one of the busiest exhibition centres in Europe, and its events support thousands of jobs in and around the city.

The UK caravan and motorhome industry is concentrated in East Yorkshire, but Birmingham's position at the centre of the motorway network makes the NEC the natural home for its biggest shows.

Staycations on the rise

Caravan and motorhome holidays grew in popularity during and after the pandemic, as more people chose to holiday in the UK. With prices and running costs rising, it pays to compare models, finance options and second-hand vehicles carefully before deciding. Shows like this one are also a chance for families who have never owned a caravan to try towing and manoeuvring before committing to a purchase.

Getting there

The NEC is next to Birmingham International railway station, with direct trains from New Street, and has large car parks. Opening times, ticket conditions and visitor information are on the official event website.