Cheaper sites for OAP's?

[GaryB]

My parents still have a caravan and while they now restrict themselves to a maximum 2 hour journey from Leicestershire due to age, they still enjoy going away. Their pension consists of the state pension and a small amount of savings so they have to watch what they spend and take advantage of the C&CC age concession rate, BUT after caravanning for 35 years they feel they've pretty much done the C&CC sites to-death. They have tried the CS sites but due to having a smaller caravan (Coachman 380/2) they really need a site with good washrooms and some of the ones on CS's are rather rudimentary to say the least!

I know about the "Best of British" sites but do any of the older members on here have any recommendations in the way of "clubs" or groups of sites that offer discounts for OAP's? Going away in the caravan is the one thing that keeps my step dad going so I'm keen to try and help them to enjoy it for as long as possible.

 

[otherclive]

There is Tranquil Parks adults only. But not sure about OAP reductions. What we found though with commercial sites is that offers would be announced in off peak times, sometimes at short notice though. But they were mainly extra nights such as 4 for 3 etc.

 

[Woodentop]

Also 5van.co.uk

 

[Mr Grumpy]

We've just looked into and joined the Retired Caravaners Association.
Mostly rallies but may be of interest to them.

 

[Deleted member 23278]

If your parents are OK with being off-grid and as they're already members of C&CC they could look at 'Out & About' - I'm assuming they're 'paper' members - and it accompanies the magazine. Or, you could look at the Out & About app (it's actually rather good!) on their behalf.
The 'central' area of the Temporary Holiday Sites section should cover the 2 hour travel criteria(ish).
Not all THS are own san essential; we recently stayed a few night at Stow on the Wold RFC, where the changing rooms were open, for £11 per night.

 

[GaryB]

Brilliant, thanks folks, all suggestions will be passed on.

 

[Buckman]

We've just looked into and joined the Retired Caravaners Association.
Mostly rallies but may be of interest to them.

We are also members and have been on one or two rallies and enjoyed them. They get very good prices for proper sites and stays are normally a week to 10 days.

 

[Raywood]

C&CC members get an age discount and both clubs have cheap rallies and CL's or CS's which are usually cheaper than regular sites. You can find some commercial sites give discounts, but I cannot remember any in the area you are looking at.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I'm all for looking for bargains, and if there were OAP deals then by all means take them, but I'm trying to think of a commercial reason why a site might consider offering such a discount.

Edit after Gary B's post #15

This is how a site owner might consider the idea of OAP discounts

'Clearly any OAP who tours with a caravan, has the funds to purchase a caravan and a larger than average car to tow it, so disposable income for site fees isn't likely to be problem for them.'

 

[Dustydog]

A “Tranquil Park” near Pickering has given me an OAP discount of £9.50 off a £250 bill for 14 nights next month. I never asked but they requested our ages at time of booking.

I agree Sites are not a charity but some take a different view from a marketing perspective . Isn’t it better to maintain a regular income at a small discounted rate rather than wait for a full price paying customer who may not appear?Especially in low season.

The OP parents however seem to want upmarket site facilities rather than use their own. As a site owner I would find it hard to offer a discount. Sorry business is business but good luck to them

 

[ProfJohnL]

A “Tranquil Park” near Pickering has given me an OAP discount of £9.50 off a £250 bill for 14 nights next month. I never asked but they requested our ages at time of booking.

I agree Sites are not a charity but some take a different view from a marketing perspective . Isn’t it better to maintain a regular income at a small discounted rate rather than wait for a full price paying customer who may not appear?Especially in low season.

The OP parents however seem to want upmarket site facilities rather than use their own. As a site owner I would find it hard to offer a discount. Sorry business is business but good luck to them

Only £9.50 off £250 is just 3.8% not a very big discount, and I'd bet if you negotiated you'd get that off without being an OAP.

In a general context, If the site offers a low season discount (and I know many do) its not specifically an OAP discount. If they want to raise off season usage its better to offer the discount to anyone, rather than limiting it to a focus on a niche group.

 

[Mr Grumpy]

Clearly any OAP who tours with a caravan, has the funds to purchase a caravan and a larger than average car to tow it, so disposable income for site fees isn't likely to be problem for them.

Not necessarily so.
Our caravan is 14 years old and towed with an 18 year old Freelander. Both purchased when we were still at work.
We continue to get out and about by seeking out off-grid sites, rallies THS etc. As do many others.
If we had to use sites with prices similar to the clubs we would pack it in.

 

[Dustydog]

Only £9.50 off £250 is just 3.8% not a very big discount, and I'd bet if you negotiated you'd get that off without being an OAP.

In a general context, If the site offers a low season discount (and I know many do) its not specifically an OAP discount. If they want to raise off season usage its better to offer the discount to anyone, rather than limiting it to a focus on a niche group.

The other twist in the tail is that Low Season is usually the coldest time of year placing heavy fuel demands on the site Owners..
A lot of CLs we have been using recently either charge a reasonable daily sum or use coin / CC meters. All the ones I have used have not overcharged of at all from my own domestic rate. Running the super heated toilet shower facilities in the colder days is clearly a large extra cost.
Who should pay for that?

 

[RogerL]

The other twist in the tail is that Low Season is usually the coldest time of year placing heavy fuel demands on the site Owners..
A lot of CLs we have been using recently either charge a reasonable daily sum or use coin / CC meters. All the ones I have used have not overcharged of at all from my own domestic rate. Running the super heated toilet shower facilities in the colder days is clearly a large extra cost.
Who should pay for that?

I've always figured that the extra cost of energy in off-peak seasons balances the notional reduction in basic site fee off-peak - so the fact that most CLs charge the same all year round, when electric is included, is the way it should be.

 

[GaryB]

Clearly any OAP who tours with a caravan, has the funds to purchase a caravan and a larger than average car to tow it, so disposable income for site fees isn't likely to be problem for them.

Absolute rubbish. This post is about trying to help my ageing parents, not speculation over someone’s finances based on material possessions.

 

[GaryB]

The OP parents however seem to want upmarket site facilities rather than use their own. As a site owner I would find it hard to offer a discount. Sorry business is business but good luck to them

They have a small caravan (Coachman 380/2) which they find difficult to use the bathroom shower due to arthritis. This isn't about wanting "something special for nothing" it's about trying to find the best they can with what they have to spend. My question was aimed at others of a similar age that might have found sites/avenues that offered "club facilities" but not at club prices.

 

[Dustydog]

They have a small caravan (Coachman 380/2) which they find difficult to use the bathroom shower due to arthritis. This isn't about wanting "something special for nothing" it's about trying to find the best they can with what they have to spend. My question was aimed at others of a similar age that might have found sites/avenues that offered "club facilities" but not at club prices.

Apologies Gary , I go t the wrong end of the stick.
Check out the CAMC web site for CLs within the desired areas. You will find quite a few that may be suitable such as this one. https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/certi...ershire/melton-mowbray/Hill-Top-Farm-Shop-CL/

Similarly look at U.K. Campsites. Use their detailed criteria and choose from their menu exactly the type of place you need. Again you will be pleasantly surprised what is available suitable for your parents.
I hope you can find pleasant places for them at CL costs. Welltrough Hall Farm CL has all the showers and toilets etc . Near Jodrell Bank, maybe too far? But they are out there at decent acceptable rates

 

[GaryB]

They’re joining the Retired Caravanners Association as recommended earlier, fingers crossed it opens a new door for them. State pension and rising living costs really is squeezing them (and others).

 

[Dustydog]

They’re joining the Retired Caravanners Association as recommended earlier, fingers crossed it opens a new door for them. State pension and rising living costs really is squeezing them (and others).

Gary here’s another little snippet that may help

UKCampsite.co.uk camp site Map and Postcode Search Facility

Easiest way to find uk campsites and caravan sites using our Map and Postcode Search Facility

www.ukcampsite.co.uk

 

[Buckman]

Many people buy cars and caravans while they are working and have a decent income. They then use these as much as possible in their retirement while they can taking into account cost of living.

 

[Beachball]

We went to this site it called Church Farm Cottages C/L Cromer road Norfolk it might be great for your parents it has fully serviced hard standing pitch with EHU (16amp) and TVHU awning space there is a one of charge £3 WiFi
Showers and toilets
enclosed dog walking area
from £22 per night

 

[otherclive]

We went to this site it called Church Farm Cottages C/L Cromer road Norfolk it might be great for your parents it has fully serviced hard standing pitch with EHU (16(16amp) and TVHU awning space there is a one of charge £3 WiFi
Showers and toilets
enclosed dog walking area
from £22 per night

Sounds a nice site in an interesting area.

 

[Dustydog]

Many people buy cars and caravans while they are working and have a decent income. They then use these as much as possible in their retirement while they can taking into account cost of living.

It’s called “ Sees you out Job” . My caravan is 15 years old the car 5. If I still caravan at 80 both will be 10 years older🤪. No intentions of changing them n the foreseeable future

 

[Raywood]

There is a commercial reason for a discount if given out of the main Summer season. The sites tend to be quieter at this time, so if the reduction attracts more people and gives you extra income above what you would otherwise have had, it makes sense.

 

[Sam Vimes]

It’s called “ Sees you out Job” . My caravan is 15 years old the car 5. If I still caravan at 80 both will be 10 years older🤪. No intentions of changing them n the foreseeable future

I think this applies to many things as you get older. My father when in his 90s would jokingly refuse extended warranties on things like a new TV saying he'd probably go before it did.