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

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

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

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.

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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Sorry, that should be, Itinerary !

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.

Hi Rob!

Hope that you have a splendid time over here.

One word of warning, some of our motorways are prone to delays, especially around the morning and evening rush hours, (M25 seems like that all day every day, rarely without a jam up, so allow PLENTY of time for the return to Heathrow)

Although the speed limit is 70mph on motorways and dual carriageways, single lanes out of town usually 60, but slower in some places. There are also variable limits posted on electronic signs, or on posts approaching roadworks. On all roads there are speed cameras, and unmarked as well as marked police cars, so stick to the limits posted. (I have even seen cameras hidden behind signs apologising for the delay at roadworks!)

Your spending money is for fun, not traffic fines.

Watch out for the drink/drive laws, if visiting pubs! You can be pulled over and tested for the slightest moving offence, if the officer feels so inclined. No doubt US is similar!

The suggestions given for show and itinerary are all good. We have huge wealth of Engineering Heritage, all over the land. Your problem will be deciding on which ones to visit.

You will find UK Model Engineers friendly and interested, so have a marvelous vacation.

Howard