Picking one UK show to attend..

Hello. I am a model engineering enthusiast from the USA. I plan visit the UK within the next 12 to 18 months for about one week. During my visit, I would like to attend one model engineering show. Would any members of the group have advice as to the best show to attend given my limited time? My primary interests are model steam and IC engines, tooling, machinery, etc. The time of year is flexible.

Thank you in advance.

Rob H

I think few would argue against the competition classes at the Model Engineer Exhibition being the best display of models in the UK. There is always an excellent representation from local clubs as well.

This year there is the added attraction of the show being at Brooklands Museum.

But I would say that wouldn't I?

Neil

Rob

People are going to recommend their favourite shows, obviously.

Before trying to answers this, a question. What else do you want to see in the UK? Knowing this one might be able to match a show with other expectations and plans.

JA

I think by common consent the old Harrogate Show was viewed the best for its coverage and most central UK location, this year to be at Doncaster Racecourse in late May, having been priced out of its Harrogate home.

Best Competition classes and Models at MEX Brooklands Museum, this year.

Be aware that British model shows are not run in the same style as their US counterparts. By which I mean, from the shows I have visited, the US shows tend to have mostly individual displays and no dedicated competition classes and few club displays. In the UK, the emphasis seems to be on competition and club displays.

Due to the individual nature of the exhibits 'over there', the exhibitor knows all about his display whereas in the UK, on club stands the stewards do not always have an intimate knowledge about the exhibits, so questions about a particular model do not always get a satisfactory answer. As for competition entries (as with some of the club displays) a visitor is relying on the notes provided by the entrant for information. Some are very detailed, others much less so.

In the US, hot air engines and internal combustion engines are in the majority, in the UK it is mainly steam. Also, there seems to be far less restriction in the US on the engines being run, although I do admit that steam engines and sometimes gas turbines are run outside the display hall. I don't remember seeing security wires through the models over there, either.

Personally, I prefer the US style of exhibition, but you may find it a refreshing change. As to the 'best' show, I would say that the Bristol show in August comes closest to what you are familiar with.

Apologies if I've upset the establishment, but this is MY opinion.

Dave
The Emerald Isle

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Forget all these lumps of metal spinning round. ..................................... Find a 'real ale' show when in the UK.!

Nick

Thanks to everyone for the informative responses. I have no firm itinerary yet. I will probably start from London with a car. Any locations with museums or historic sites related to cars, planes, trains, science or industry proximate to a model engineering show would be my kind of trip. All of your suggestions have great potential in that regard.

Also, thanks to Dave for explaining the style of show one can expect in the UK. My only point of reference is the Cabin Fever Show in PA. Based upon the excellent YouTube videos I’ve seen covering UK shows, I don’t think I’ll be disappointed.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Rob

the problem with ging to Brooklands is that it will be full of Southerners (only joking chaps). ME has given up on anyone to from the south east

Rob,

My wife is Canadian and never ceases to tell her relatives how much there is to see in this country. However, most of it is quite frankly best seen in the summer. So my advice is to come when the weather is generally good and enjoy all the history and culture that we so often take for granted ourselves..

The best summer Model Engineering event (that is within easy driving distance of London) is the Guildford MES show - not quite as big perhaps as other national events but well worth visiting. I have no connection with Guildford MES but live about 30 miles away and it's the one show I do go to every year.

**LINK**

Regards,

IanT

Since the shows are at various times of the year, in various locations (ie, Bristol in August, Harrogate in May, Midlands in October, London in January, MEX-Brooklands in September), and last for only a few days, it would make more sense to choose an exhibition that coincides with when you want to visit.

Bear in mind that although motorways allow fast travel, if there are no repairs and crashes to hold things up, at each end the town or country roads will be slow. Most towns are a traffic jam from 8-9am and London from 7-10am so you are lucky to average45mph.
If your first trip there is so much in London it is wasteful to spend time travelling outside.
If aiming for the Doncaster show (4 hours from London) you might take in York railway museum the next day and there are some intermediate attractions near the motorway en route (eg Wortly top forge after dropping the wife in the little Meadowlands shopping Mall)
If you are interested in preserved railways there are a few around but some are only a train with little access to the workshops and may even be running diesels outside gala days. Lots of things only operate at weekends so plan your flights to get two full ones.

I think most of the main shows have been listed. They are all slightly different and I would hate to say which was best (apart from Bristol). I think you should use your other stated interests as a guide but remember opening hours of some museums and most heritage railways etc are seasonal. Although it is relatively easy to get around Britain when possible stay away from the cities, you can get trapped in one for hours.

One other comment, in England and Wales American tourists are rare outside the London, Stratford, Oxford triangle. Use this to your advantage, talk to the locals etc. Most will be friendly and it will brighten up your, and their, day.

All the best

JA

It's not unusual these days to hear an American accent in Birmingham city centre so not so sure about the triangle. I wonder if one day we will be dressing in blue overalls, cloth caps and clog dancing while swigging real ale and waving shovels about. Industrial version of morris dancing. The real ale would really help with that.

I think it might be best for Rob to pick out what he wants to see and stay some where based on that. A search for uk tourist attractions brings up lots. One for London would too and as mentioned there are all sorts there. Most cities have something or the other to offer. Problems may be things that also interest the wife and or kids. London should meet that easily. Others probably not so well.

What may be missing from the usual ones is places like this which in this case might be of interest

**LINK**

This forum should be a good source of links to this sort of thing and other interests. There are a number of them. That link was handy as I intend to go there in the spring.

In order to visit Doncaster from London my immediate thought would be by train. It will cost more than fuel and may need a taxi but the time scales are likely to be both shorter and a lot more reliable. The location could be miles from Doncaster's actual centre. This means thinking about where transport links are but all UK cities get totally clogged up at some times in the day. That can involve rather a lot of time getting in or out of most of them. I'd guess it's the same in the USA, maybe worse in some.

These days when I am going somewhere even on holiday I use google street view to look at the destination, as well as my gps to get there. Google will also give trip times by car, train or even bus in some cases. Road works often mess up the car times and a single solitary accident can easily add an hour or two to motorway travel times in particular - over very short distances too.

John

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Itinery. Leave London behind as soon as possible, first stop on the A1 Northbound The Shuttleworth Air Museum.

Continue on to overnight stay in The Petwood Hotel , Woodhall Spa. You will see why ,when you get there!

Next day , on to Model Engineer Exhibition in Doncaster, then , perhaps stay two nights in York.

Next day , York Railway museum and stroll round city walls ,etc.

Next day, more York or, head off to North York Moors via Ampleforth, Hutton-le hole , Pickering , cross the moors by the little roads NOT the main roads to Staithes.

Next day, choice of Shildon , or Bowes Museum, (perhaps both!) then cross-country 'homewards' through

Yorkshire Dales , stay in Hawes.

Next day, keep heading south, always through the Yorkshire Dales to Keighley / Haworth.

Next day , time to catch that plane ! Motorways, quick as you can.

Sorry, that should be, Itinerary !

Good advice all around. I decided to post the question because there is no end of things to see and do in the UK. A really ‘good’ problem for me. The list is more manageable now thanks to your suggestions.

Most of my visits to the UK have involved time in London so I was hoping to wander farther afield this trip. Coming from New York, the traffic issues will be much like what I am used to; the train may be a welcome alternative while I am on vacation.

I learned that the family holiday and my desire to seek out museums and attractions about machinery don’t mesh well. Therefore, my solo trip won’t be hampered by competing requests for shopping and other things. However, it will be a short trip.

The time of year depends on many factors for me. It sounds like there is a significant show in each season. As the window of time for my trip becomes apparent, I will narrow the geography down to the area near that season’s show.

I have a lot of research to do. Thank you gentlemen very much for taking the time to lay out my options.

See you soon!

Sincerely,

Rob

Don't forget that we drive on the left and it is compulsory for tourists to buy a round for all when visiting our Pubs.

I think J Hancock left off the best "open air " museum in the country - Beamish, near Consett in county Durham.

Frank.

Rob

May I suggest that you get hold of the booklet published by the Institution of Mechanical Engineering, "Engineering Attractions - Visiting Britain's Best Industrial Heritage Sites". It is a recent publication and costs in the UK £9.95. Their web site address is www.imeche.org. It is a great little publication which covers mechanical engineering very well but is slightly thin of civil engineering features that are still in use (bridges and such like).

JA

Edited By JA on 14/02/2016 18:56:08