Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show announces outdoor adventurers and TV star speaker line up for its return in February
Household names including TV’s Matt Baker and Miranda Krestovnikoff will lead talks at the event’s Inspiration Theatre
The Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show returns to the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham from 22 – 27 February 2022, kicking off the year with the largest showcase of leisure vehicles in the country. We’ll be there to bring you the latest camping news!
Along with checking out new-for-2022 caravans, motorhomes and campervans, and a huge range of holiday homes, tents, trailer tents and camping gear, visitors can look forward to hearing from and meeting famous faces from the world of outdoor adventure – including Matt Baker, Julia Bradbury, Matt Allwright, Andrew Ditton, James Forrest, Lizzie Carr MBE, Kat Bird, Lizzie Daly, Martin Dorey, Miranda Krestovnikoff, Lola Culsan, John Weller, Andy Torbet Marcus Leach and Andrew Cotton – who will be heading up the show’s all-star speaker roster.
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Each day the Inspiration Theatre will feature talks from some of the UK’s biggest outdoor stars, all sharing their experiences in the great outdoors and providing ideas about places to go and activities to enjoy while out and about. From coastal walks and nature trails to paddle boarding and kayaking destinations. Plus driving tours of Scotland, France, Spain and Italy. BBC’s Matt Baker – who will be in attendance on Thursday 24th February – will be showcasing how exploring the countryside has impacted his life. Martin Dorey, author of One Man and His Campervan and the bestselling series ‘Take the Slow Road’ will be at the NEC on Wednesday 23rd talking about his latest travels in France, and James Forrest (aka Mountain Man) will be at the show all week, talking about his record-breaking 500-mile Walk of the National Three Peaks, sharing his tips for first time hikers and his favourite UK day walks.
Rocketing ticket sales for the show demonstrates pent up demand for leisure vehicles, holiday homes and tents. Spanning Halls 1-5 of the NEC, the show will offer everything adventurers and holidaymakers need to enjoy touring and camping holidays. Showcasing the UK’s biggest display of campervans, motorhomes, caravans, tents and holiday homes, the show will feature some of the newest and coolest vehicles and kit to take outdoor trips to the next level.
Full speaker line-up:
Matt Baker, who was recently awarded an MBE, will take to the stage on Thursday 24th to discuss his outside adventures and how the power and beauty of the countryside has made him who he is. He is constantly celebrating nature and wildlife on the road and enjoys being able to climb into a secure vehicle that is a home from home, with a changing view! Away from the bright lights of hosting some of the nation’s favourite television and radio programmes: Countryfile, The One Show, Open Country, Our Farm in the Dales, Blue Peter and many more, Matt Baker is an advocate of getting out and exploring the glories of the British countryside with family and friends.
Julia Bradbury is well known English television presenter, employed by the BBC and ITV, specialising in documentaries and consumer affairs. She is best known for co-presenting the BBC One programme Countryfile with Matt Baker from 2004 until 2014, as well as writing several books and turning walking into a primetime hit on the BBC and ITV.
Presenter, diver and author Miranda Krestovnikoff, will be speaking each day of the show. With a wide-ranging knowledge of Britain’s coastline from her many years presenting on BBC’s “Coast” series, Miranda has an in-depth knowledge of some of the most unusual places to escape to. She will be sharing some of her favourite coastal getaways from wild and rugged spots ideal for watching birds and seals, to calm coastal waters ideal for paddle-boarding and kayaking and experiencing the best of our stunning scenery.
On Wednesday 23rd February writer, campervanner and environmental activist, Martin Dorey, will be in attendance to talk about the latest book in his ‘best-selling’ ‘Take the Slow Road.’series – Take The Slow Road: France: Inspirational journeys around France by Camper Van and Motorhome. On Friday 25th February Andy Torbet, who has presented on 20 TV Series on BBC1, BBC2, CBBC, Discovery US and The History Channel, will be at the Inspiration Theatre to discuss his experience of extreme camping – from hammocks hanging of high cliffs, camping in cut-off caves and snow-holing Scotland to pitching tents by calving glaciers in Greenland and on deserted Patagonian islands in search of shipwrecks.
Journalist, blogger and Air Stream owner Andrew Ditton will be on hand from Wednesday 23rd to Saturday 26th to reveal details about touring Scotland’s ‘hidden gems’, from the best beaches to the Outer Hebrides. Lizzie Carr MBE aka ‘Britain’s best known paddleboarder’ and author of Paddling Britain: 50 Best Places to Explore by SUP, Kayak & Canoe, will share her experiences and recommendations on some of the UK’s most stunning waterways over the weekend.
Joining this outstanding line-up from Tuesday 22nd is Lizzie Daly, a Welsh wildlife biologist, broadcaster, filmmaker and conservationist. Lizzie has worked as a presenter on, Animal Planet and has been a regular host on the BBC Earth Unplugged YouTube channel. Lizzie will be talking about her love of the Welsh countryside and the best places to go wildlife spotting. Additionally, James Forrest, aka ‘Mountain Main’, will be at the show all week, talking about his recent record-breaking hike between Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon as well as sharing his favourite day walks and hiking tips. James is an author, adventurer and one of the UK’s most prolific hikers.
Campervan adventurers, wild swimmers and travel writers Lola Culsan and John Weller will be at the show Thursday 24th and Friday 25th to share their adventures touring Spain’s Hidden Coast and offer practical advice on how to circumnavigate the Iberian Peninsula in a campervan or motorhome. They’ll also be offering 20% off the RRP of their latest book Hidden Beaches Spain as well as Wild Swimming Spain.
Kat Bird has been travelling Europe since 2018 sharing her motorhome adventures as she goes – via her popular blog Wandering Bird.
Each day of the show, Kat will be taking visitors on a journey through the Dolomites of Italy, sharing tips on where to go and stay in the beautiful region. Avid motorhome enthusiast, Matt Allwright, the face of BBC’s Rogue Traders will also be on hand on Tuesday 22nd to discuss his own camping and caravanning experiences. On the final day of the show, Andrew Cotton, a professional big wave surfer will be on stage talking about his tireless quest to surf the biggest wave ever in the Portuguese coastal town of Nazare.
As well as being inspired about places to go and activities to enjoy while on their camping, caravanning or motorhome adventures, visitors will be able to try free activities at the show for themselves. Activities include, stand up paddle boarding and kayaking on a custom build indoor pool – all under the expert supervision of Canoe Trai – climbing and bouldering.
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Those new to the campervan, motorhome and caravan holidays can get free advice on how to get started from the Camping and Caravanning Club and the Caravan and Motorhome Club who’ll also be running free caravan towing courses, motorhome manoeuvring lessons and campervan test drives for visitors (over 25 with a driver’s licence) throughout the week.
Tickets are priced £10 when booked online before midnight 21st February after which the price reverts to £13. Children under 15 years visit for free but require a ticket to attend. A £1.25 transaction fee applies. Tickets are limited and are only available to buy online – not on the door.
The Camping in Britain team will be heading up to bring you all the latest news from the show, along with popular (sweary) tent reviewer Mark Baker, aka The Swearing Welshman, who will, I’m sure, share his opinions on the latest tents and camping gear!
Those keen to stay abreast of all the latest news and updates from the Show should follow @NECCaravanShows across Facebook and Instagram and @CaravanCampShow on Twitter.
Inspiration Theatre Speaker Lineup
- Matt Baker – Thursday 24th February
- Martin Dorey – Wednesday 23rd February
- Julia Bradbury – Tuesday 22nd February
- Matt Allwright – Tuesday 22nd February
- Andrew Ditton – Wednesday 23rd – Saturday 26th February
- James Forrest – Tuesday 22nd – Sunday 27th February
- Lola Culsan & John Weller – Thursday 24th and Friday 25th February
- Andy Torbet – Friday 25th February
- Lizzie Carr – Saturday 26th – Sunday 27th February
- Kat Bird – Tuesday 22nd – Sunday 27th February
- Lizzie Daly – Tuesday 22nd – Sunday 27th February
- Miranda Krestovnikoff – Tuesday 22nd – Sunday 27th February
- Marcus Leach – Tuesday 22nd – Wednesday 23rd February
- Andrew Cotton – Sunday 27th February