Caffeine & Machine - Sat 13th April - from 9.30am

[Ftypeharv]

I can feel a road trip coming on....

[Jagman100]

Thanks guys I’ll head over to C & M this week and report back,

Kind regards,

Steve

[Jagman100]

I’m wondering when I get there if I should ask them straight out that we’d like to come over on 13th April and if they can allocate some parking for us?

They can only say yes or no,

Then we’ll know where we stand and at least we cam make firmer plans as some people will be coming a long way,

What do you think guys?

Kind regards,

Steve

[simpleR]

Yes I would ask otherwise people might get there and be no where to park!

[basher]

Hi Steve - asking can do no harm.

I'd rather not drive 2 hrs to find there's nowhere to park!
And I'm not parking in a muddy field.

[Jagman100]

Yes agreed, ok I’ll pop over tomorrow ask and report back

[Jagman100]

Hi Guys,

I visited C & M today and spoke to Phil and Stan who are really nice guys, I explained we would like a meet on 13th April but they said they already have an event on that day so advised us to try on 20th instead, they also explained that they don’t allocate parking so cannot guarantee spaces, in fact at the weekends they regularly have the car park full and 3 miles of traffic parked on verges in the road which is not ideal.
So they’ve just received planning permission for a car park extension for what looks like a further 25 to 30 spaces and have made a start, please see my photos. There were cars parked on it already, you can see a couple of yellow Lamborghinis, a Porsche and an M5 and in the front car park Ferrari’s and a Maserati and this is a weekday the place is insane.
There is also some parking at the side and on some grass close by, I’ve also included some photos. Sorry if my car appears in any,
They said if we want to go on 20th April they’ll kindly let us into the car park at 9.00 am before they open at 09.30.
That said I looked on the calendar and 20th April is also Easter weekend so not ideal for some so I thought I’d check out our backup plan.
I went over to Gaydon to the British Motor Museum and met with Tom Caren the Show manager and he was very helpful, they have nothing planned for 13th April and so we are most welcome, furthermore there is lots of tarmac car parking spaces and weather permitting he’ll even let us park on the front grass for our own photo shoot, further more I’ve secured a group booking rate of £10.00 per person payable on the day for a minimum of 12 people (instead of £14.50) which includes entry to the Motor Museum for the day and access to meeting rooms and the cafe for food and drinks (which are payable)
So my conclusion is we should head for Gaydon on 13th and wait until C & M have completed their their car park extension and pay them a visit in the Summer, on the plus side C & M’s bar and food is terrific.

I’ll post Gaydon photos separately,

Kind regards,

Steve

[Jagman100]

Here are the photos I took of the car park and front from Gaydon if we decide to go on 13th April

More info here

https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk

Personally I think this is our best option for 13th and as a bonus the Motor Museum is a good day out as well,

Would you please let me have your thoughts guys?

Thanks,

Kind regards,

Steve

[simpleR]

I personally cannot do the 20th due to holidays.

C&M looks really good but seems very busy and an early start for some which might result in lack of parking. I'm certainly not parking on a grass verge with angry neighbors and a mile away!

The museum options looks best for me for the 13th with the cafe (coffee, I need coffee early in the morning) loads of parking and a museum as well.

[Timbo]

The only problem with gaydon is most of us go there every month, (probably going this sat for the breakfast meet) and most of us are season ticket holders so wont need tickets im afraid.
As for the museum side of it once you've seen you've seen it, sorry for putting a bit of a downer on it but thanks for making the effort to sort stuff out.