Plan your day – things not to miss at The British Motor Show
The British Motor Show is like no other car show on Earth, with so many things to see and so much to pack in. If you can only manage the one day, then here are the things that you absolutely MUST do.
The cinch Live Arena
The Live Arena – hosted by TV’s Wheeler Dealer Mike Brewer and Olympian Iwan Thomas – is one of the show’s star attractions and will be packed with action from 10.30am onward. These are just some of the highlights:
11:00 and 14.20 – Supercar showdown: Some of the worlds most exotic supercars and hypercars, live for you to see, watch and hear in action!
11.30 and 15:00 – The Paul Swift Stunt Shows. There are two separate (and very different) stunt displays each day, the second one being our homage to The Italian Job. Not to be missed if you like your car action sideways or on two wheels…
12:00 – Everything stops at midday when the British Army Lightning Bolts parachute display team will be jumping out of a perfectly good aeroplane above the show and landing in the cinch Live Arena.
16:00 – World Record Attempts. We’re going for some GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS. Read on to find out what they are…
16:30 – The climax (and absolute highlight) of the day’s action is our CARmonweath games, where our teams of celebrity drivers will be pitched against each other, Top Gear style. It’s our take on the commonwealth games, the teams trying relays, sprints, shot putt and tug of war… all in cars!
Check out the National Geographic Live Stage
Tim Shaw and Fuzz Townshend will be on the National Geographic Live Stage all day, and it’s one of the show’s not-to-be-missed attractions. Key highlights will be when the dynamic duo reveal some of the behind-the-scenes stories from CAR SOS at 11:10 – find out what really goes on when they are filming and meet some of the other members of the team on and around the stage.
Check out the Motorsport Panel at 14:00 where drivers from different motorsport series will be chatting about their current seasons and how they got into motorsport, and at the end of the day come back for their live quizzes. Fear not, you don’t need to be an automotive anorak to take part. We’ll be inviting audience members on stage to play and win some prizes from 16:10.
Visit the IMI Tech Theatre
Automotive technology is developing apace, demystify electric cars, understand the latest automotive tech, get safety advice or careers guidance and a unique insight into the future of motoring, as well as get your own questions answered by the AA Car Clinic.
The Tech Theatre, sponsored by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) will feature a host of experts, and special guests, throughout the four-days of the British Motor Show, helping answer your questions and decipher car technology.
Information-packed sessions cut through the jargon on a variety of topics throughout the day, presenters will explore future fuels and how motoring might look in the future.
Don’t miss a fascinating session on the exciting developments in Bio Fuels at 13:10, or if you aren’t sure whether EV is right for you, join us at 12:40 when our experts deliver everything you need to know about going electric in simple terms.
The AA will have independent experts on hand all weekend and will also be delivering an independent EV session on stage at 11:50. They will be there to field all your questions and advise cars and motoring in general.
Get racy!
Head to The Bridgestone Hall and Motorsport Arena to check out some fantastic motorsport, including the Solent Starz motorbike display team at 10:20 and 14:50 and the fantastic Shred Shed drifting display at 14:10 and 16:30, where a team of professional drift drivers will be performing a show choreographed by a West End theatre producer.
Or if you like your cars modified then you need to head to the Petrolheadonism Zone in hall 5. Ciro and his friends from YouTube will have some of the wildest supercars on the planet. Plus, meet some of the influencers you know from social media and see their cars in the flesh.
Other motorsport content includes an F1 car in the Live Arena at 15:40 each day.
Walk the Halls
With so many interactive features going on, don’t forget to check out the heart of The British Motor Show.
The latest cars in the UK will be on display, so look out for the first public outings of the Subaru Solterra, Mazda CX-60 and the all-new SsangYong Musso, plus an exclusive reveal of a British-built and designed electric van, the indi.
We’ll also have the new Range Rover Sport and Vauxhall Astra on display and some amazing heritage vehicles too, including an original BMW M1 and 1950’s Skoda.
Talking of Skoda, if you fancy an ice cream head over to their stand where we have the biggest ice cream truck you’ll ever see, standing at 21ft tall and on huge wheels, it’s a great photo opportunity…
This year, our featured marque in the welcome display will be McLaren, with some of the British companies most iconic models welcoming you to the show.
In Hall 2, Elmo will have a collection of the latest electric cars on display. If you’re thinking about making the switch to EV, their experts will be on hand to offer independent advice, too.
Looking for a career change, or maybe inspiration for when you leave school? Check out the Automotive Career Expo in Hall 2 and our two dedicated career panels on the Tech Stage at 11:00 and 15:30.
Absorb the atmosphere of the Premier GT Supercar Paddock
Make sure you take a few moments to walk the Premier GT Supercar Paddock adjacent to Hall 1.
Most of these cars might be beyond many of us but there’s no harm in dreaming and choosing which would be your perfect match ahead of that lottery win!
But, it’s not just about the chance to look at the cars at The British Motor Show. You’ll be able to see and hear them in motion in the cinch Live arena each day too (at 11:00 and 14:20).
We’ll have Supercar sound-offs and even get a few Hypercars sideways courtesy of our stunt driving team.
If that’s not enough, how about a passenger ride in the supercar of your dreams with the Sporting Bears Dream Rides?
Take a once-in-a-lifetime experience
If you want something to make your day truly memorable, there are a number of interactive experiences at the show. How about a ride in a Caterham Drift Taxi? Or a passenger ride in your own dream car courtesy of Sporting Bears Dream Rides? You can drive a truck, go for a simulator ride, or take a test drive in a brand new car.
Under 17? No problem. Even youngsters can get behind the wheel thanks to Young Driver, offering behind-the-wheel fun (and education) for 10-17 year olds.
Break a record
This year, we’re giving you the chance to take part in a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS attempt.
Head to the Hall 1 welcome reception and grab a photo of the Ford Mustang GT on display. Then, between 10:15 and 11:15; 12:00 and 13:00 or 14:00 and 15:00 upload it to Facebook using the hashtag #motorshowrecord. We’re aiming to create a world record for the most number of photos of a car uploaded in one-hour, so here’s YOUR chance to make motor show history.
Have a classic walkabout
Head down to the owners’ display area to see a fantastic collection of classic and cherished cars, including stands featuring military vehicles, fire engines and even a Spitfire (the plane, not the car…) – sure to be a huge hit with every kid (and big kid) at the show.
As well as the classics, there’ll be modified cars, supercars and sports models, while over at the cinch Paddock you’ll find YouTube sensation Yianni’s unique wrapped car.
Grab some lunch – and enjoy the show!
Feeling peckish? Head to the Food Village (it’s a great way to check out our owners’ enclosure en-route) and wander down to grab a bite to eat. There’s plenty of choice, freshly cooked to order and with lots of outdoor seating. Plus, there’s live music to watch and enjoy whilst you tuck in. Or bring a picnic, you’re welcome to bring your own food along if you’d rather.
Most importantly…. Have a great day!
We believe that The British Motor Show is the best value family day out in the UK calendar. We want you and your friends and family to have an amazing day out and to thoroughly enjoy the spectacle – and we can’t wait to welcome you back in 2023!
