Crufts

Jacqui-S

Jacqui-S

Moderator
Location
Fife, Scotland
Wasn't quite sure where to put this.
Is a trip to Crufts a shopping event, about dogs/training/showing, or a holiday?
Perhaps a bit of all the above.

Looking for advice as a visitor without dogs.
Going on the Sunday, not sure if we get kicked out at lunchtime for the final judging bit (although I assume we can still spend money in the stalls).

Anyhoooo....
Just looking for advice and experience from those who have been. Not yet worked out where to stay, whether to drive and park at the NEC, use public transport, leave my credit card at home, how to make the most of the experience generally as a first time visitor.

Any advice, hints and tips most appreciated.
 
Candy

Candy

Biscuit Tin Guardian
Location
West Yorkshire, UK
Jacqui-S said:
Wasn't quite sure where to put this.
Is a trip to Crufts a shopping event, about dogs/training/showing, or a holiday?
Perhaps a bit of all the above.

Looking for advice as a visitor without dogs.
Going on the Sunday, not sure if we get kicked out at lunchtime for the final judging bit (although I assume we can still spend money in the stalls).

Anyhoooo....
Just looking for advice and experience from those who have been. Not yet worked out where to stay, whether to drive and park at the NEC, use public transport, leave my credit card at home, how to make the most of the experience generally as a first time visitor.

Any advice, hints and tips most appreciated.
Click to expand...
I've never been myself. I think Swampy might have some ideas though. Hope you have a good time.
 
Natalie

Natalie

I would say (for me and my friend who have been 3+ times) it's a bit of all that. We start with shopping, then have a coffee break. We go round some of the breed showing rings and pick out favourites. Then a bit more shopping and when our feet are tired we grab a sneaky beer and go and sit in the arena for an hour or so, watching either agility, dog dancing, a larger scale demo. Then we grab a late lunch and wander round the stalls we haven't seen and pick up purchases towards the end so we aren't carrying them around with us. As we are both less than 20 mins away we either get lifts, or, park in the station carpark. It's sooo much easier than the NEC car park, easy to get into, slightly cheaper, and only a short walk over to the NEC stands, probably even closer than the NEC carparks depending which one they direct you to.

Take a backpack for your goodies, everywhere takes credit cards. There are a few occasional bargains to be had and a lot of repetition of stuff, but the sheer scale of innovative businesses and range of products make it worthwhile.

I'd personally stay a little way out of the area and drive in, or even stop in central bham, Coventry or Solihull and get a direct train or bus there. If you are stopping overnight you could fit in a visit to Resort's world too, a few minutes walk away.
I haven't decided whether to go again or not, our last time was march 2020 when it was all about hand sanitiser 😬
 
Stacia

Stacia

Location
Malvern Worcestershire
When I went many moons ago, I found it very crowded and was unable to get into any of the rings with interesting dog events happening in them. However, could see Discover Dogs and do lots of looking at doggy goodies and spending money. On the whole I was disappointed but pleased I had gone just to know that!
 
Atemas

Atemas

UK Tour Guide
Location
North Cambridgeshire
Never been to Crufts but go to the NEC every February for the Camping, Caravan and Motorhome Show. Parking is easy at the NEC and there are regular free buses to get you from your car park to the building. We generally walk and get the bus back when we are exhausted 😩. I always find the NEC very tiring so regular stops for food/drinks is essential. I also hate the busyness of it cos they are always packed out for these events but it kind of has to be done 😉
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
Perfect advice/summary from @Natalie . I've only been once to Crufts but have been to a zillion dog shows and they are more or less similar, though of course Crufts is the biggest of the big. I like seeing all the dogs, talking to the people in the info stalls especially the rare breeds, and of course the shopping. For dog shows in general, I usually only go see the judging of the breeds I'm really interested in, plan that in advance, and otherwise when I'm tired go sit down at whatever ring is close and just watch. The drama of the handlers and the dogs who (sometimes) do not perform according to expectations is fascinating to me.

I think for Crufts you have to buy special tickets to the main arena which is a bit of bummer - we didn't do that when I went, so don't know how that works.

I used to go to one of the last benched shows in the US every year and walk around to the dogs on the benches and talk to the breeders, but I got the impression that's not really done at Crufts. But if you're feeling chatty and brave, you might give it a go. Pretend to be American. People expect us to talk to strangers. Talk A LOT, that is. 😁
 
Beanwood

Beanwood

Administrator
I love Crufts and hoping to go this year! I am not particularly interested in the shopping, but love gundog day, and wandering around the smaller rings.
 
Selina27

Selina27

Location
Herefordshire, UK
My daughter and I went last, we travelled by train so I don't have any advice re parking but train wise visiting NEC is very easy. We went on the Saturday, which was very busy. All the different halls are enormous! I think if I went again I'd have a better plan and workout what I really wanted to see. We couldn't get in the main hall to see the agility which is what my daughter was interested in, we weren't prepared for the queue which was very long !

I did enjoy the smaller rings which were doing demonstration of different dog activities, from showing craft to working trials to bloodhounds etc and the young Kennel Club.

I would definitely take food and drink.
 
SwampDonkey

SwampDonkey

Also if there are any products you want definitely go on line see if the company is a stallholder order the stuff to collect, I do it with special orders etc.you save at least the postage usually more. Do a hall at a time but do take down any stall numbers you're interested in.
 
Beanwood

Beanwood

Administrator
SwampDonkey said:
Make a list of what you need. Measure your dogs neck and body measurements. Leave anything big with the store holder to pick up latter take a ruck sack with bags. Take Sandwich chocolate and a drink. If you see something you might get latter make a note of the stall number. Take some cash. Haggle ask for show price.
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Great advice from the expert! :giggl::rofl:
 
Joy

Joy

Location
East Sussex
I went last year and enjoyed the experience but wouldn't want to go again. It was very busy - packed with people - and lots (and lots...) of stalls. (I'm not really a big shopping fan.) I was there as a helper with a rally team so spent most of the day keeping an eye on dogs when owners in the loo etc. I liked seeing some of the Rally and I was impressed by how calm the dogs in the showing rings were and how close you could get to the rings. But as I didn't really know what to look for in a particular breed of show dog, they all looked of equal quality to me.
I had a car-park pass but it was a longish walk from there to the centre.
I wasn't required to have any covid documentation or to wear a mask.
 
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