Practically Classics Forum

Has anyone ever been? Can you tell me what it's like? Is it a case of queue to get in, queue to park the car, queue to get a drink, queue to take a leak? Anyone give me some idea?

The last time I went was in 2012. I don't remember any significant queue for the car park and there was no queue to get in. When you are in there are fields of stalls, it's probably impossible to see everything. I went looking for land rover doors, came home with a morris minor back seat, various badges and some spot lamps.
You get in to the museum (or I did anyway, I don't know if you are supposed to) for a look around. There is a café or I remember a couple of ice cream vans and various hot food stands but I avoid them like the plague after an incident a few years ago.
It's the worlds largest autojumble. If you are looking for something specific it's probably there but even if it isn't you'll come back with some other things you didn't know you needed.

Thanks Terry, I am in the market for some badge bar badges, so we'll see, thanks for the info.

Been a few times.

Get the tickets online beforehand and you won't have to queue to get in (they have people standing about to guide you in another entrance if you already have ticket).

Buy a big bottle of water before you go as the bottles sold on site are hugely expensive for what you get, avoid the cafe (for the same reason), plenty of stalls on site selling burgers etc.

Take a trolley and have fun!

Been a few years back and If I was to go again I would get my ticket online, get a bus in from another nearby village (Brockenhurst etc) and walk in.

Kevin

Many thanks for your responses. I will take refreshments, although I might drive there rather than the bus. It's only about 30, maybe 40 minutes from where I live, so if i'm early enough, I might beat the crowds.

GHT wrote:, so if i'm early enough, I might beat the crowds.

Sorry but that's very unlikely, even if you get there early you will still find yourself walking for 20 minutes to get out of one of the many car parks, 40 minutes if you are really late.

If you live locally why not get someone to drop you near the entrance?

Oh, loos....

....you'll see a massive queue waiting to use the gents under the restaurant - keep walking as there are plenty of "portable" toilets (that doesn't describe them adequately as they are rather good) in most of the fields.

DoloMIGHTY wrote:Sorry but that's very unlikely, even if you get there early you will still find yourself walking for 20 minutes to get out of one of the many car parks, 40 minutes if you are really late.

That is exactly the sort of information that I wanted. My friend, who has a 1940's Plymouth is going, we were going together, but now he is going alone. I only wanted some badge bar badges. It seems a lot of hassle for a few badges. I told him that something had come up, he said he didn't mind and would actually keep a look out for any decent badges. He even offered to text me a photo of any he thinks I might like.
Pricey refreshments, parking headaches and loo queues, it's not worth the bother.
Notch that as another for the purists, I've already had a slapped wrist for actually letting a specialist look after the serving and repairs of the old MG. Not do it myself? Perish the thought, what's the point of owning an old classic if you are only going to be an armchair enthusiast? That was actually said to me by some W. Anchor. He stared at me, searching for words when I told him that I own a vintage jukebox, a valve driven, original radio, from the days when they were known as a wireless. I also have a working telephone box, with the old pennies, press button A and so on. Am I expected to be born with the knowledge of servicing and repairing all my gizmos?
Thanks again to you all for your input, it really is much appreciated.

GHT wrote:
That is exactly the sort of information that I wanted. My friend, who has a 1940's Plymouth is going, we were going together, but now he is going alone. I only wanted some badge bar badges. It seems a lot of hassle for a few badges. I told him that something had come up, he said he didn't mind and would actually keep a look out for any decent badges. He even offered to text me a photo of any he thinks I might like.
Pricey refreshments, parking headaches and loo queues, it's not worth the bother.

Thanks again to you all for your input, it really is much appreciated.

You're most welcome .

That said (wot I said), please don't let that put you off from going, if it's old badges you want, then there is nothing greater than the thrill of rooting about in boxes there and finding exactly what you want and bartering the stall holder down fro 75p to 50p !

It's a great atmosphere there, friendly people too, was carrying a bag with "Triumph Dolomite parts wanted" written on it, the amount of people who simply walked up to me and just wanted to talk about the cars was incredible, felt part of a brotherhood I think is the best way to describe it.

Please go at some point, I promise you won't regret it.

Agreed, it is a must attend show. However, I would suggest waiting for the autumn one which is much bigger and better for your first visit as the spring one is not as good, in my humble opinion.