Arriving at the show, we were a bit stunned that one night camping and entry to the show for two days would be £73.00 and that's without an electric hook up!! I guess for two full days and nights not so bad, but a bit pricey we thought. Never mind, lovely weather and as there was a Camping & Caravan Site at the gate, just by the show entrance we got a pitch with electric for £17 and decided one day at the show would be enough. The camp site reception also gave us two free tickets to the evening bash at the show. I know event holders need to make money, but £12 for a day ticket per person, a bit steep if you intend to go to the show for two days. I guess if we had booked with the Funsters Rally, we would have got a much better deal, still always next year.
We pitched up on a nicely mowed area on the edge of another motor home rally, popular spot obviously. There were two other rallies going on, one for motor homers and one for VW Campers. Facilities on site included, a good set of hot showers 50 p, a laundry washing up room and toilet emptying. It was around a mile and a half to Stratford and there was a bus stop near the entrance. We spotted a bike track in the distance but didn't have time to explore it. Just outside the gates was also an Indian take away/restaurant, so a very handy spot methinks. Perhaps another time we'll come and do the Shakespeare thing.
Here we are pitched up in the sunshine. We were so lucky this weekend with the weather.
Once we had settled in we headed the 100 yards to the show, paid our £24 and had a good look around.
Lots of clubs were there and is was obviously a very social occasion at night the camp fires burned brightly.
Loads of Landys abounded, with browns, beige and safari hats well in evidence. Even the Russians were there. Well, not quite but their vans were. Hopefully the listening gear was turned off, although on reflection they wouldn't have really heard that much of interest only the roar of the crowd when England lost to Wales at Rugby.
We investigated roof top tents and toilet facilities!
Can't wait to find out what's in store for us on our Boswana trip. Those tents seemed pretty high up to me.
We chatted with people about over landing in Peru and Iceland, both were very interesting and not as expensive as we thought they might be. Some of the tenting was quirky to say the least.
Bijou residence complete with log burner.
We spent quite a while looking around and Den splashed the cash on a pair of dodgy binoculars. Later that evening, we returned to the beer tent to sample the local produce. Real ale and Severn Cider, we even stayed a while and listened to the band, heavy metalish I think, but they were quite good for oldsters! The beer tent was well laid out complete with portable stage.
I think the loss of England at the Rugby slightly dulled proceedings, although as we left the pall of smoke curling around the show and the sounds of the middle aged at play, wafted through the air. We were soon tucked up in our cosy April, oblivious to the world.
Would we go again.....probably although costs could be significantly reduced by camping as part of a rally. It would also have been really interesting to listen to some of the seminars on offer. You never know we may need to know how to survive in the wild!
We heard the camp site is open until the end of October. A good place to stay if you want to explore Stratford on a budget. Nice and flat, friendly with good facilities, we would stay there again.
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