CARAVAN CLUB SITES

[Wayne_5133334]

Has anyone noticed the move by individual club sites to restrict access to after noon even where there are no published restrictions or issues for access prior to noon. Is this a move to impose a 12 noon rule which does not exist in the current rule book. Have people experianced this restriction and what where the reasons given.
Wayne

 

[Eric_374425191]

A few site i have booked recently have told me not to arrive before 12 noon, not sure if its rules or not, but i'm putting it down to being overworked trying to clean toilets etc etc because the site are now allways booked soild.
When o when will the CC club take a deposit, so you have a chance to book online. So far every site is full, till you ring!

 

[andy72]

I thought the 12 noon rule was to enable any people currently on your pitch to vacant in enough time etc. Also as a lot of the sites are off narrow country lanes or dont have much room for arriving vans, there is the potential of those trying to off the site, blockd by those trying to get in.

Its not just the CC though, the C&CC also operate like this and i must say, having seen the queue, (15 to 20 vans) along the narrow single track lane trying to get into the windermere site, i can understand why. I foolishly tried to get out, (driving solo) at 4pm on a friday and was in the nearside hedge for 1/4 mile until i got passed the queue. If that was at say 10am, no van could get out, menaing no vans could get in and a big problem is created.

All makes sense to me.

Eric's last point, i suspect has been hugely debated but i confess its the single reason i wont join the club. Its obvious that a large number of members just block book on whim with only a slight intention to go and to keep their options open. For a young family like myself, with 1 or 2 decent week breaks in the summer, we may as well write off any caravan club site if we use the online availablity checker.

 

[Wayne_5133334]

Inded and totally agree, have been banging on at them for years but no use, they for some reason will not do as most members want.

The issue about the mid day thing is there is a rule on being off site by noon but no where does it sauy no access on, so unless there is a good reason one should be able to get on rather than being turned away as they are now doing and causing blockages on the local roads.

 

[Robtel]

The issue about the mid day thing is there is a rule on being off site by noon but no where does it sauy no access on, so unless there is a good reason one should be able to get on rather than being turned away as they are now doing and causing blockages on the local roads.

A good reason might be that they don't have a pitch available for you until after people have left at their agreed time of 12 noon. I would agree that, as long as there are no restrictions made due to narrow approach roads, if there are empty pitches then there should be no problem letting people on site.
To be fair to Caravan Club sites on a number of occasions when I have been looking to arrive before 12 I have phoned ahead and checked it was o.k. Never been refused yet.

 

[Wayne_5133334]

TryTry Ferry Meadows Peterborough. They have a 100% impossed No Access in place and even with a half full site and 6 Wardens on duty turned away over 2 dozen units last week for no reason other than they would not book in until noon. Seemed just B minded and without any good logic at all. Wonder if there are others and if this is a move that way or just a rough warden

 

[Zafiral]

When at Ferry Meadows last year as we were trying to pack up and hitch up at 11.40 there was an early arrival trying to push onto the pitch before we left. People were arriving from before 10am which is ridiculous. You are expected to arrive after 12 noon so why if you follow the rules should you only have the last choice of pitches?

 

[Wayne_5133334]

where do you get the 12 noon rule from, search the club rules and its says nowt. It is members who have decided the 12 noon rule applies both in and out and it does not, just in if indeed it is posted as applying. Come on wake up to customer service as oppossed to being lead like sheep.

 

[Dustydog]

There is no rule BUT whenever you book on line you are offered a choice of arrival times, usually two hour slots throughout the afternoon after midday.
As I understand it arrival before is not encouraged (not actually written) and arrival after results in a night at the late arrivals compound.
What is the rush? I can't stand being rushed off my pitch. This is when mistakes can happen hitching up!
That said there is a difference amongst the wardens.Trewethett Farm for example will allow early entry but you then have to trek around the site on foot to find a vacant pitch.

I know at some sites access is fairly tight so it makes good common sense to have the departures before midday and arrivals after. What's wrong with that? In all my years of using Club sites I've never been disappointed with my pitch.

 

[Suzac]

"where do you get the 12 noon rule from"

If you check out the individual Club Sites Page details in the handbook under "How to find us" if arrival times are restricted it gives details of the times for particular sites there.
We have just returned from the Black Knowl site in the New Forest where the latest time for departures is 11-30 a.m and earliest time for arrivals 12-00 noon. This seems reasonable as this is a very busy site and usually full during peak times. Imagine the chaos if loads of caravans leave at 11-30 and then five arrive just after noon as we have seen but the wardens haven't had chance to prepare the pitches vacated i.e cut grass and realign pitches before someone wants to move on to their favourite pitch.

 

[neila1]

just checked ours for grin low on sat and it just says Estimated time of arrival12:00 - 14:00

which is fine by me

 

[TheTravellingRooster]

This type of imposition is Nuts and will only prove to be counter productive;and so it should.A what if scenario:-I book my pitch and leave home in good time,then there is a carve-up on the Motorway & it becomes a medium to short term car park.A delay of 3- 5hrs is not out of the question,what then-turn around(eventually)and go home and then try again the following day!!!?.I don't think so.What would happen if several outfits all coming to the same site(for a local festival or show,Caravans-Dogs or what-ever) from a similar geographical location(The North West) and got unexpectedly 'Park Up' on the Motorway.They(' The Site' )would be a few bob down,wouldn't they just?.

 

[B4bill]

Can't see whats nuts about controlling arrivals and departures. Surely there needs to be some time between occupancy to allow for maintenance of the pitch. I don't really understand the logic on your post Rooster, because you're delayed by 3 to 5 hours why would you return home. It could be 3 to 5 hours to get home!

 

[catlady]

friends of my son went to Seacroft CC site at Cromer on 26 th august, they were half an hour late due to traffic,they were made to stay in the late arrivals area and were not let on the site until noon on the following day. not happy bunnies. My son and daughter in law have stayed at Ferry Meadows twice within the last couple of months and were not impressed by the attitude of the wardens on either occasion, very unwelcoming.

 

[B4bill]

By half an hour late Catlady do you mean 30 minutes after the office closed. Then its reasonable to be shown the late arrivals area. I don't agree however with them not being allowed on site until 12 noon next day, presumably she didn't pay for that night.

 

[JeffD]

My wife and I have just spent an enjoyable few days at Ferry Meadows. We arrived at 11:45hrs and were immediately allowed on-site, the wardens were polite and helpful and we had a very pleasant stay. All of the facilities were spotless and the site was managed very well.
We have stayed at some good commercial sites recently but found the Ferry Meadows site to be up amongst the best for the overall break.
Perhaps some of the previous posters have been unlucky but our near neighbours over the weekend were all happy with the service they had received from the wardens.

 

[waffler]

The rule should be rigidly enforced and members turned away even if there is space. In the last 12 months I have
a.)met an incoming van on a narrow lane and he couldn't reverse!!!!
b.)been blocked in by two motor homes who arrived before 1000 and we had to manoeuvre over grass with barely an inch of clearance.
c. ) been unable to check lights because an arrival was so close to my rear- i couldn't go anywhere because another early arrival was blocking my exit.

It is just common courtesy.

 

[Royston]

If you read "Important Information "on the Ferry meadows site it informs you that no arrivals before 1200 noon.If I had been on the site the day that the person was allowed on at 1145 I would have complained to the Head Warden, why should I obey the rules and yet others appear not to.
Reason the 1200 noon is implemented is that people arriving early have tried to harass people into leaving their pitches before 1200, something which has been happerning on a regular basis, it was our fellow campers that have complained to the CC club site direct that has forced this rule to be implemented..
I find it so much easier and relaxing knowing that I able now to pack up and leave a pitch by 1200 without the fear of harrassment.

 

[Woody3]

As for getting held up and arriving late - is it against the law for caravanners to have a mobile phone and know how to use it, or is that asking too much?

 

[Zafiral]

where do you get the 12 noon rule from, search the club rules and its says nowt. It is members who have decided the 12 noon rule applies both in and out and it does not, just in if indeed it is posted as applying. Come on wake up to customer service as oppossed to being lead like sheep.

From the Caravan Club Important booking information....
Arrival times
You can arrive on Club sites from 12.00 on your day of arrival (please be aware there are a small number of sites with later arrival times due to narrow access roads and entrances). If you have booked a pitch and intend to arrive after 18:00, please inform the Warden. If you do arrive late and stay on the late night arrivals area, the per capita fee must be paid, but not the pitch fee

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

From the Caravan Club Important booking information....
Arrival times
You can arrive on Club sites from 12.00 on your day of arrival (please be aware there are a small number of sites with later arrival times due to narrow access roads and entrances). If you have booked a pitch and intend to arrive after 18:00, please inform the Warden. If you do arrive late and stay on the late night arrivals area, the per capita fee must be paid, but not the pitch fee

Perhaps the above should be left as a sticky because this topic comes up regularly by those complaining they can't get on sites before midday. If every warden refused admission to those arriving before midday it wouldn't take too long for them to learn. Then again .........

 

[Royston]

Houghton Mill arrival time is No admittance before 1pm, this site everbody is treated as equals nobody is allowed onto site before 1 pm, not like other sites where some people are allowed onto the site before 12 oclock, even though the 12oclock rule is being inforced, where others have to join a queue often not being allowed in till after 12oclock.Word has been mentioned that other CC sites will extend their No admittance before 1pm rule in 2011.
The happy caravanning mode is slowly being eroded.

 

[Douglas_374404558]

HI! Zafiral. Sorry to jump in on your post just bought a new pegasus on thursday 524 same as yours. how do you find it ,do you have any problems that i need to lookout for so far very good van had a Swift before but had a few problems with it so exchanged it for the pegasus .
thanks Duggie

 

[Zafiral]

HI! Zafiral. Sorry to jump in on your post just bought a new pegasus on thursday 524 same as yours. how do you find it ,do you have any problems that i need to lookout for so far very good van had a Swift before but had a few problems with it so exchanged it for the pegasus .
thanks Duggie

Duggie, we have been more than happy with our van, the only issues we have had is the radio was only working in 1 speaker which was quickly sorted by our local dealer (not the supplying one) by fitting a new part loom (took 30 seconds) and the door handle needed tighening up. Being able to use any dealer for warranty / servicing work rather than just the supplying one is a huge advantage to us.

 

[Zafiral]

Houghton Mill arrival time is No admittance before 1pm, this site everbody is treated as equals nobody is allowed onto site before 1 pm, not like other sites where some people are allowed onto the site before 12 oclock, even though the 12oclock rule is being inforced, where others have to join a queue often not being allowed in till after 12oclock.Word has been mentioned that other CC sites will extend their No admittance before 1pm rule in 2011.
The happy caravanning mode is slowly being eroded.

That is great news and not a minute too soon.
It took us nearly 20 mins to get our of Grafham Water CC site a few weeks ago just before 12 because of prompt arrivals. People were arriving from about 9.30 that morning which is a joke. This is an issue that has got much worse over the last 2 years so I am glad the Caravan Club are doing something about it.