Firstly, we report the demise of the short-lived Harrogate Caravan and Holiday Home Show, which to our minds had just gathered momentum in its second year. However, with the expense of transporting staff and products, cost had become overbearing for some manufacturers. They pulled out, making the show no longer a commercial proposition. Since the 1950s, September – the traditional month of new model launches – saw caravan manufacturers hold a few days’ events at their factories. By the 1960s and the boom in sales and manufacturing, factories got new models ready for July/August and vans were displayed in the firms’ car parks! Drinks and sandwiches were laid on and smaller makes might hire a pub car park for their trade show. Others, such as the early Swifts, were shown in the front garden of the owner’s house with tea and scones being served!
By 1975 the idea was to draw all the makers around Hull mostly to one area to show their latest tourers and holiday homes. The venue was The Lawns at Cottingham, which became an annual event, running for 45 years. In 2020 it was decided to move it all to the Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate. Covid put this back a few years, but it was on for 2023.
Now, with the Harrogate show cancelled, several smaller manufacturers have gone back to Cottingham Golf Course. This may be a trade show only but the public I am sure won’t be turned away. Names displaying there will be Delta,Pemberton, Omar, Sunseeker, Love and Europa Caravans and other key suppliers. Dates will be 9th to 11th September.
Of the large holiday home manufacturers, it seems that Swift will be having a big public event at their factory on 12/13th September where the recent holiday caravan and lodge showground will be put to good use for the general public to see what’s new for 2026. There will be entertainment, refreshments and parking for up to 500 cars. The same weekend ABI will also have its doors open to the public at their factory in Beverley, airing their 2026 line-up. Carnaby will also have a public showing of their range at the Holiday Home centre Beeford, where all the latest improvements have taken place. Willerby will be at the showground close to the factory showing their 2026 models from the 12th to 14th September.
The Harrogate show being disbanded has set off several new September shows. Large site operators, Harrison Group, are promoting a new leisure home show, this time in Lancashire at Haydock Park Racecourse. Swift, ABI, Carnaby, Victory, Love, Delta, Sunseeker and Willerby will be displaying 60 units at the latest count. Public days are 19th to 21st September. Manufacturers and park operators will be on hand to guide you and answer your questions.
So, the holiday home and lodge shows are back from the brink! Exciting times and great to see the industry bouncing back to get the public access to the latest and greatest in the holiday home market!
Willerby will be showing to the public at their Hull showground and also at the new Haydock Park show in September.
Swift have an open weekend also with ABI, Carnaby, Willerby, all who will attend the new big Haydock Park show.
David Hall of Beverley Leisure Homes has been one of the instigators of bringing back the Cottingham Golf Course show.
Love will be at Cottingham and the new Haydock show; one of several to attend this new venue.
Delta will be also raising its profile at the Cottingham and the Haydock show.
