And you may be surprised to hear there are quite a few marine companies exhibiting – how about Peters~Opal, Sunseeker, Portway Yachts Sales, Crownline, MacGregor Yachts, Midland Canal Centre, CJ Broom, E P Barrus, BHG Marine, Perception Kayaks, Whitewater Consultancy, Yamaha, Sea Otter Boats – and more.

Among the new products will be the UK launch of the Lema Gen and Lema Clon motor boats; the European launch of the Style 232 Fibrafort motor boat and the limited edition Style 1800; Ahoy-Boats will be bringing the Magnum 215 Triman Day Boat; Barrus is unveiling the new Mariner and Mercury EFI four-strokes; C J Marine will have the new San Boat and C-Marine range of sportsboats and cruisers; Topcat Catamarans will be bringing the new Topcat 4.5 and the new Aqualine Madison 60ft narrowboat.

Among the show features is the Inland Waterways Village, The Marina in Hall 5, The Canoe Village and the Sail Laser Zone.

Car parking is free and it costs £14 for adults, £7.50 for children. The nearest station is Birmingham International. The NEC is close to the M40, M42, M5, M6 and M1. And it’s directly opposite Birmingham International Airport.

Check the website for more details - boatandcaravan.co.uk