Caravan and Motorhome club site prices

[bertieboy1]

Been doing a bit of site browsing and for the privelage of paying the "club" an annual fee of £51.00 I can book a site pitch for £32.00 per night and "save £12.00 a night wowee!
A comparable nearby commercial site is priced at £22.00 per night and that's without a "joining" fee.
In my opinion some "club" sites are pricing themselves out of the market.

 

[otherclive]

I am a member of both clubs and at one time only ever used their sites, but because I’ve encountered some difficulties booking pitches at club sites we have started to use commercial sites more over the last 2-3 years. We have been pleasantly surprised at both the price and quality of the sites that we have used. The CCC is still attractive to us with its age concession.
One reason I stay with the clubs is access to some nice quiet CL/CS sites and no or minimal pre booking charges. Also there are the wider benefits of membership too. I don’t keep a profit/loss account but as things now stand I will continue my memberships.
Given the increase in caravan camping and motorhome usage I’m sure that the private sector will benefit and the good ones profit.

 

[Hutch]

I started a thread recently on the same theme, We are members of both clubs but seldom use the main sites, only cl/cs , the private sites seem to be getting better and cheaper. And with the C&mc booking system of no deposits , folk totally book up the favourite sites and some folk just don't turn up.

 

[Damian]

As with any site you look at, if you do not like the price, you simply do not go there,,,,easy.

 

[Dodger524]

As with any site you look at, if you do not like the price, you simply do not go there,,,,easy.

I agree, that's the approach I follow. It has resulted in us using no CMC sites and only a couple of C&CC this year. I've just booked six sites for a one month tour. Two are private and the remaining four CS or CL sites. However I assume there are still plenty of people prepared to pay club pitch fees.

 

[Craigyoung]

As it happens I came in from work last night after my back shift and I need to chill for an hour so opened a can was and I read the Club magazine that came through the other day and in that it is advertising pitches on Club sites from £14 per night you've just got to look for them depending on where you want to go. It's advertising a week for £98 also but like a few of us here we only use club sites a few times a year and it's CL sites the rest.

 

[Martin24]

We're sat in the 'van at Putts Corner at the moment but the only reason is to use vouchers given as a birthday present otherwise we would be on a CL or CS. There are other benefits to being in both clubs though beyond just site fees. At the moment the 'van is insured at a very reasonable price through CCC and we use Mayday from CC for our breakdown cover. We nearly always holiday on CL's or CS's as they are, on the whole, much better value than the main sites provided by either club. Then of course there are the rallying opportunities and THS to consider that provide even better value up and down the country. It all mounts up to an attractive enough overall package for us to stay with both clubs.

 

[Brasso530]

We only use club sites "out of main hols" ie winter.Mainly because kids go for £1. I think they are good value out of season.Most of time we use commercial sites as reasonable cost and the all important one(with 2 teenagers) free wifi.

 

[bertieboy1]

Hello Craigyoung,
At that price the site probably didn't have a toilet block.These sites are never full and cheap

 

[Thingy]

The one thing very much in favour of the Caravan Club is that the sites are pretty much of a standard. Before you go, you have a reasonable idea of what to expect. For the most part too the wardens are of a high standard, though like any other walk of life, there are martinets to be found.

With a commercial site, you are reliant on media to give you an idea of whether its worth a chance, we have visited some crackers, and some where the media is a little frugal with the truth and that is always going to be the gamble.

I agree that CC sites are a little expensive on balance, but that will usually go into reinvestment as older facilities are brought up to scratch. I have been a member of the C&CC but never ever stayed on one of their sites, we used them becuase at the time it was tthe only way I could get an RAC extension for the caravan on top of my works RAC cover. In truth, if I didnt use Mayday and CC Insurance, I would be giving continued membership some thought. That isnt to do with price but a couple of annoyances that I have with club rules and those that bend them for their friends (the wardens).

Accoridng to club rules, one cannot book a specific pitch and I would be the first to say their should be exceptions, i.e. catering for a disabled person or a specifically large unit. Holding pitches though for friends of the warden infuriates me. I have seen much of this at one of the N Yorks sites.

The other is the strict arrival rule. If there is a rule, I will be the first to follow it, but again, having rung a certain site to ask if early arrival is possible, I have been told NO, only to find units that passed me whilst waiting in a layby are already halfway through putting an awning up as we finally arrive.

I am more than happy to follow rules, just wish everyone else would.

 

[Craigyoung]

Hello Craigyoung,
At that price the site probably didn't have a toilet block.These sites are never full and cheap

Nunnykirk is one site witout toilets and showers but not necessarily every site as there are sites where kids go for £1.oo on the offers , and and have facilities. If you've getting the Club magazine in the last week or so have a look!

 

[Dustydog]

The one thing very much in favour of the Caravan Club is that the sites are pretty much of a standard. Before you go, you have a reasonable idea of what to expect. For the most part too the wardens are of a high standard, though like any other walk of life, there are martinets to be found.

With a commercial site, you are reliant on media to give you an idea of whether its worth a chance, we have visited some crackers, and some where the media is a little frugal with the truth and that is always going to be the gamble.

I agree that CC sites are a little expensive on balance, but that will usually go into reinvestment as older facilities are brought up to scratch. I have been a member of the C&CC but never ever stayed on one of their sites, we used them becuase at the time it was tthe only way I could get an RAC extension for the caravan on top of my works RAC cover. In truth, if I didnt use Mayday and CC Insurance, I would be giving continued membership some thought. That isnt to do with price but a couple of annoyances that I have with club rules and those that bend them for their friends (the wardens).

Accoridng to club rules, one cannot book a specific pitch and I would be the first to say their should be exceptions, i.e. catering for a disabled person or a specifically large unit. Holding pitches though for friends of the warden infuriates me. I have seen much of this at one of the N Yorks sites.

The other is the strict arrival rule. If there is a rule, I will be the first to follow it, but again, having rung a certain site to ask if early arrival is possible, I have been told NO, only to find units that passed me whilst waiting in a layby are already halfway through putting an awning up as we finally arrive.

I am more than happy to follow rules, just wish everyone else would.

I haven’t been on any club sites for over a year now
It just worked out that where we wanted to go the best we’re private sites. We prefer a fully serviced pitch these days. Getting a lazy blue rinser
However I do find Ukcampsites a very reliable impartial “media” site. In fact, even with Club sites we double check with Ukc.
Commercial sites in my book are the multi site companies with kids fun fairs , a kind of Billy Butlins. Not for us.
There are certainly some gemstone CLs and CSs in beautiful parts of the country, most offering at least a toilet , others with everything including fully serviced pitches. We used one of these ,two miles north , of Appleby in Westmoreland three years ago. Fantastic :cheer:
£15.00 per night and 16 amp. Splendid panaramic views.

 

[Thingy]

Hi Dusty

just to qualify what I class as commercial is anything that is not club and/or committee run, basically a "for profit" organization. Possibly a family owned single site or something of that ilk. I would avoid the mutli sites like the plague. No funfairs, swimming pools or anything like that for me Im afraid.

 

[SirRogerFFS]

Not that this will help too much but we joined the The Caravan and Moto rHome club two years ago and have just recently been up into Cheshire for a week.We live in Northamptonshire so its the M6 for us so rather than follow the HGVs up the M6 we opted to pay the Toll. Club membership nearly 50% discount . We sat on the toll road never dropped below 60 all the way up .
Sir Roger .

 

[Craigyoung]

Hi Dusty

just to qualify what I class as commercial is anything that is not club and/or committee run, basically a "for profit" organization. Possibly a family owned single site or something of that ilk. I would avoid the mutli sites like the plague. No funfairs, swimming pools or anything like that for me Im afraid.

Ha ! Snap .
When we first started caravanning 5 years ago, we were still testing places out ! I think the second time we went to a site it was Blue Dolphin Caravan Park at Filey , It was like going to a Butlins camp ! full of kids and teen chava's , there was an amusement arcade where they all hung out hence to say we have never been back to that site or or a site like it ! give me a CL anytime !!

 

[Dustydog]

Not that this will help too much but we joined the The Caravan and Moto rHome club two years ago and have just recently been up into Cheshire for a week.We live in Northamptonshire so its the M6 for us so rather than follow the HGVs up the M6 we opted to pay the Toll. Club membership nearly 50% discount . We sat on the toll road never dropped below 60 all the way up .
Sir Roger .

Ha ha sir Roger,
With all the long term road works M5 to M6 junction it is recommended to use the M6 toll to avoid the inordinate delays. Hopefully others will remember to use their camp card :cheer:

 

[Scorpy]

Been doing a bit of site browsing and for the privelage of paying the "club" an annual fee of £51.00 I can book a site pitch for £32.00 per night and "save £12.00 a night wowee!
A comparable nearby commercial site is priced at £22.00 per night and that's without a "joining" fee.
In my opinion some "club" sites are pricing themselves out of the market.

In my opinion ALL Club sites are pricing themselves out of the market-God knows how they can justify their fees

 

[Petemate]

So, my two pennorth.

When we returned to caravanning about 7 years ago after a long gap, we joined the CCC. Initially, we appreciated the discounts and the wealth of info from the Big Sites book (which eventually was reduced in size lol). Then, over the following couple of years we gradually realised that as we only go away 3 or 4 times per season, the benefits were getting less. We had not used the "wi-fi" system which has been introduced, but my sis-in-law and hubby reported that the reception is poor at many sites and not really cost effective. Eventually we ceased to be members, as in addition to the gradual evening up of the balance of costs between club sites and commercial ones the club insurance had increased to an unaccaeptable amount and we went elsewhere for that too.

If we were in the habit of going away far more frequently, (which ironically as retirees on low pension incomes we would not be able to afford) perhaps the club membership would be an economical option, but not at this moment in time.

 

[Dustydog]

CAMC Exbridge Lakeside Saturday 11 August 2018 - Saturday 25 August 2018

Pitch fees for 14 night(s) @ £14.20 per night £198.80
2 adult for 14 night(s) @ £8.20 per adult per night £229.60 . £30.60 per night.
TOTAL £428.40 Wi Fi is extra but dogs are free. Non members are welcome at an additional £12.00 per night :woohoo:

Harfordbridge caravan site £28.50. Same pitch type but includes £4.00 per night for the two dogs. WiFi is not free. £399.00 for 14 nights. Not much difference but we did compare both on Ukcampsite. Overall , this time CAMC came second.

Maybe, tic,the motor homes cost more on site :evil:

 

[chrisn7]

The CAMC has made a concerted effort to woo motorhomers. Now the cheapest motorhomes are perhaps pretty close in price to the most expensive caravans with one or two exceptions, with regard to new vehicles.

One might suggest that the CAMC is recognising that (perhaps) motorhomers have a higher net worth than caravanners, and (perhaps) more able to afford higher fees, so that is where they see the market heading with an aging population?

I have nothing against motorhomers and no interest in MHs - this is just a musing, an observation if you will.

 

[bertieboy1]

Hi Craig young,
I don't use sites that don't have a toilet block and neither do most others (the're never full even during high season periods)

 

[Hutch]

Hi Craig young,
I don't use sites that don't have a toilet block and neither do most others (the're never full even during high season periods)

Bertiieboy, I think you are wrong, Most of the new caravans have the shower and toilets, I never use The shower blocks in caravan sites, when I have a lovely one in the van , no need to walk 100 yards to a comunual shower . No thanks.

 

[otherclive]

Hi Craig young,
I don't use sites that don't have a toilet block and neither do most others (the're never full even during high season periods)

Bertiieboy, I think you are wrong, Most of the new caravans have the shower and toilets, I never use The shower blocks in caravan sites, when I have a lovely one in the van , no need to walk 100 yards to a comunual shower . No thanks.

Hutch it’s not just new Caravans our first one with facilities was a second hand Eldids circa 1999 when we bought it with a nice stand in shower with sliding doors. No wet curtain to grope you.

 

[Craigyoung]

Hi Craig young,
I don't use sites that don't have a toilet block and neither do most others (the're never full even during high season periods)

I was away the other weekend with about 3ooo more people in their caravans and Motorhomes at a rally , the nearest toilet for us was about a 25 minute walk to one of them porta loos I would quite happily use my own toilet any day and than sit my rear on one of them !! Plus I have been on some nice sites which cost less than £10 a night if there's no facilities , anyway , its our own choice .

 

[Hutch]

Last Tuesday Nipedup to Castleton iin Derbyshire, what a lovely place, went to the CMC site and asked how many "no shows " they get. Oh yes many. They book for the weekend and don't turn up. But it means that if I want to go from a Wednesday to Wednesday , I can't book as others have booked and don't turn up. They should have to pay a deposit. Grrrrrr.