Gardeners' World Live

[green fingered]

I'm going for the first time this year, is anyone else going? Has anyone been before and views on the experience would be much appreciated

[Kirk]

Went several times some years back then I gave up.
The displays were generally the same year to year, no problem as it is your first, but after the 6th or 7th time you get a little fed up.

As it is a first visit you will enjoy it as there is a lot to see, possibly more then a day really enables if you do not half gallop round to get to everything. Take something to eat and drink as there is areas outside to sit down and food bought in the place is costly, as is common at many places.

Lots of plants to buy and collect, a lot are as you would expect are the more unusual items.

Main reason for givng up was simply cost.
Have to drive there, there realistically is no other option, so 110-120 miles each way, the car parking went up every year and the cost to get in went up annually. Eventually it was costing �50-60+ for a day out and as said to see much the same as the previous year.

I suspect it was the car parking that tipped it, that just kept added so much to the overall sum for something that you had no real choice in I gave up.

Used to go to a few annual shows at the NEC but none now. The GWL was at least big but a large angling show, usually around March/April disappeared, yet it was packed every year and the other one is a bit small and again the cost for what is/was a small show was too much

I am heading up to a show at Leamington Spa in May and the car park is free/part of the entry price.

[Alison]

Have to drive there, there realistically is no other option.

The NEC is attached to Birmingham International railway station so its easy to get there on the train - the problems come when you want to carry anything heavy home . I've been a few times and the last couple of times I found it was selling a lot of rubbish and surprisingly little proper gardening products. I don't know if it still is but I don't think it helped when it combined with the Food Show as it diluted the purpose of the show. I'd agree with the comments above, it's worth an occasional visit but not as good as it could be.

[Kirk]

I am in N Herts on the Cambridge line, to get there via London would mean a train before the "cheap" rate so about �40-45 to Kings Cross, Then out from Euston to Birmingham and than across to the NEC. Probably looking at 2 1/2 hours, minimum, to get there and cost will be �80-100, maybe more.

Alternative is South a bit and over to the East Coast line, then up to Peterborough then the little train that ambles to Birmingham, then over to the NEC. Again you are looking at �80-100 and I suspect 3 hours or more to just get there.

The NEC being connected to Birmingham Int really is just another trip to add on to get from Birmingham Int to the NEC.

The train is OK if you have a easy trip to get to a key station and then one hop, I would be looking at 3 or 4 changes of train, none of which I suspect will be conveniently timed to lessen the wait between any two. Have waited at Peterborough 2 1/2 hours once.

At best I suspect I would be looking at at least 6 hours travelling, with the added hassle of getting connections at 3 or 4 locations. Then the �21.50 for the ticket on top. Say 6 hours changing trains and �120.

If you paid �20 for the show and parking combined then maybe, but presently it is �31.50 for both and that makes me, just one person, decide that for me it is not viable.

[green fingered]

Thank you for your replies. We could of used train but the costs were awful for family of 4 and with having two young ones we wouldn't get home until nearly 11pm. So we are using car but car park costs are high. Monty Don and Carol Klein are full so will be in theatre with Joe Swift. My kids would be happy about the good food show but we are going to take a lunch for all of us because I am guessing the food is through the roof. Hoping to get round most of the show and plant sales. Thanks again for your views