Overland Expedition Show

This week we decided to take a trip to Stratford -On Avon Race Course to see the Overland Expedition Show. I had seen it advertised on The Motorhome Funsters forum and thought as we were temporarily van less a trip would be fun. The show information looked really interesting and we thought we may pick up a few hints and tips for future visits to South Africa.

The day of our visit was beautiful, we set of early in Smartie with a picnic hamper duly packed. The drive to Stratford was lovely and we stopped at Evesham by the river for coffee.

Evesham is a delightful spot and I have to say has the cleanest loos I have ever visited. Large coach park by the river which would be a very handy motorhome stopping place. Sadly, Pay & Display and no overnight parking!

By the river at Evesham.

Evesham Tourist Information

We set off again refreshed and arrived at Stratford Race Course. The organisation of the show was "home knitted". As a new show it will take time for it to become as slick as some shows, but therein lies it's charm! The volunteers showed us to the parking area after we had paid to be let in! Slightly expensive at £24.50 for two we thought, camping for the night would have been cheaper. The car park was not too full we imagined that most visitors would be staying there. The show was semi-organised into areas with a programme of talks that were in the main pavilion and such titles as "Scooters in the Sahara" and " Choosing an Overland Campervan", "Don't Panic!" sounded interesting! We didn't go into any of the seminars but might another year.

Loads to see and really interesting vans to scramble in and out of. Also lots of bikers and their bits. The exotic meat burger stall had a queue and the beer tent lots of cider, we ate our picnic and snooped around looking at some of the vans in the car park. Lots of South African and Australian accents around and loads of BBQ's and log cookers for sale. The usual stalls were not there we would have expected to see more accessories but I expect they were at the Lincoln Show.

We ventured to the Motorhome Funsters camping section, introduced ourselves to The Sundowners and enjoyed a coffee and chat with a few Funsters. A good showing at the meet and such lovely weather, they had gone to so much trouble to put up a shelter and organise BBQ's, bet there was fun later. At the other end of the field there was camping with an electric hook up and water and loos available.

I think this is a show that will grow so  one to watch with interest for another year. They intend to run the show for the next 10 years at this venue so watch this space.




Overland Adventure Show