Crufts- can anyone advise re food, parking etc please?

[Tamarastar]

It's our 1st visit to Crufts this year (Friday- to see Discover Dogs, not show a dog) and would value advice from anyone who's been before! Is NEC parking best, and early arrival easier? Have heard parking/ food etc is a nightmare.

We are coming quite a distance and travelling by car is unavoidable....
Thanks.

Oh it's so good!!!

Pre book your parking on the NEC website, it's cheaper and much easier than just turning up, take a packed lunch/plenty of food but you can also buy food there.

Expect to walk about 15 minutes or so from the car, it a huge place.

Get to the arena early, the queue after about 1:30pm can be more than an hour.

I’ve been to the NEC a number of times. It does get busy so getting there earlier to park is advisable. I’ve always booked parking on line as it’s cheaper than paying on the day. You can either walk from the carpark to the actual halls or get one of the buses they put on. There are a few bus stops dotted about and the buses run every few minutes so you never have to wait long,

Food is expensive and pretty meh. It’s worth checking the size of bag you can take it - I think it might be A4 sized with only 2 pockets but I haven’t checked recently.

We’re off to crufts on the Sunday to visit Discover Dogs too - I’m very excited.

Thanks.
Yes, I'm excited too! My lovely dog died recently (nearly 16!) - it's so awful when you lose a furry friend- so we are going to see whether to get another lovely spitz or change...

Yep, the food is bloody expensive for what it is.
I'd take in sandwiches if I went again. You can fit a lot into the pockets of a good coat...

Food is soooo expensive. Yes to pre pay NEC parking. And wear your comfiest shoes. It’s huge and you will walk miles! Have a wonderful time.

Wear comfortable shoes, take a big bag fir all your purchases and to carry your food/drink in. Parking is around 10-15 minute walk from the halls. Saturday and Sunday can be very busy, Thursday and Friday not quite so.
Ask before you touch any of the dogs- some breeds take hours to prepare, If you talk to exhibitors just be aware that they may be preparing to go into the ring.
Enjoy your day, I’m showing on Saturday

Pre book parking a must
Arrive early
Take your own food and drink
Wear layers parts are freezing other areas are boiling
Be prepared to walk miles
If there are specific breeds you want to see in Discover Dogs nearer the time the website will show the stand numbers of each breed worth noting before you go.

Have a fab day

Take your own food
Wear comfy shoes
Don't leave it until you are desperate for the loo
The arena gets busy. Early morning is best for getting a seat
There used to be a free shuttle bus from the car park.
Only touch the dogs in DD area (goes without saying)

Enjoy - it’s a wonderful celebration of dogs. The showing is only a small part.

We've been a few times as live fairly local. There's loads of parking, well organised and parking attendants will direct you where to go. Parking is £14 if you pre-book and £18 if you pay on the day. Lots of food places, also Subway, Weatherspoons. Personally we take our own food as cheaper and we don't want to waste any time! We go into the big Arena and watch the entertainment whilst eating our lunch. There's nowhere to sit and eat lunch in the big halls unless you sit on the floor. Don't forget to meet the different breeds in the Discover Dogs section. Enjoy!

Agree with this.

Would also say, just be wary. Even if you ask and the owner says it's okay, with so many dogs in one place and so much 'going on' lots of dogs will be incredibly over-stimulated (even the show ones - they know when to and when to not decompress), so don't be surprised if there's a lot of bouncy pups out there.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_doghouse/5018636-crufts-tips-and-advice

This is a useful thread from last year. I learnt lots from it.

Be prepared to queue for ages to get back onto the motorway when you leave. I haven't been to Crufts but went to what I would say is probably a smaller event and the traffic out was a nightmare. We're thinking of going by train next time.