Tricky one, this...
Went two years ago with the bus, went for family camping, got there at 4 on Friday and ended up shoe-horned into the corner of a field with not even enough room to push the little one's buggy out between us and the car next door. But plenty going on, especially for the kids and loads of traders, so all good. In and out of the grown-up entertainment, excellent.
Went last year, in the daily as the Bus was cooking and with friends, went for general camping, arrived a bit earlier and loads of space. Kids found friends, plenty of room to run around, wasn't too noisy, great camping. However, show was absolutely identical - and I do mean identical - to the previous year, even down to traders in the same spot with the same stuff, same cheesy Dj in the daytime music hall and annoyingly, no kids disco.
However, for me, the most frustrating aspect was having paid £70 for a family of four to get in, to then be asked for another £40 to go and see Bad Manners (cost me nothing 30 years ago...) and a bunch of losers off the telly... I think not.
I agree that Vanfest is one of the boxes that must be ticked but for me, it only needs ticking once.
Lots of other shows this year, with something for everyone. Santa Pod's not far away, so BB, BJ and VWA beckon, as well as BBreeze and maybe Chill-&-Grill - looks like it could be fun. If anyone can tell me what a 'Lady' is - I've never come across one...
Jim