A letter to clubs about site prices

[PaulC70]

To be honest , just why does anyone need to be in any club.
There are thousands of sites and multiple apps to tell you where they are at far less money , I know some will come up with discounts, but why join them just to get your subscription back.
They are a well outdated thing going back to tents and caravans with no facilities, no need for any of that with motorhomes.

What apps are there? The only ones I know of are park4night and searchforsites but the prices are never up to date and they don't show availability?

 

[chaser]

What apps are there? The only ones I know of are park4night and searchforsites but the prices are never up to date and they don't show availability?

Just Google, campsites , you will be overrun with them.

 

[hja]

I'm sure they are acutley aware of the number of non renewals. That said, post covid, there are so many more caravan and motorhome enthusiasts joining they probably don't notice or don't care.

When we write I'm pretty sure it will be the first time they have received a letter representing so many members, I'd like to think that it would carry more weight, but I won't hold my breath.

What we need is an expert who can read and understand their constitutions, you never know that if you can get enough people together maybe people can be deselected via votes. If members can and will vote you out of office you tend to take them more seriously.

Has anyone read the constitutions?

Before the latest CAMC AGM there was scope to vote to select, reselect, unselect exec committee members. I voted to unselect the lot. At the AGM, which was available to view on zoom, they also took a vote which unsurprisingly was to select all nominees. I have yet to find out how the “postal” votes were incorporated. There are supposed to be regional q & a sessions occasionally but I never here anything from “my” region or see anything organised.

 

[PaulC70]

Just Google, campsites , you will be overrun with them.

ah, I thought you meant app when you said app.
Yeah Googles all well but as you rightly say you are overrun with results so I guess another plus for many of those in a club is the convenience of everything listed on one website with the same t and cs overall, rather then finding something on google then finding one site will not charge for dogs, and another will, or some refuse dogs or kids or who knows what.

 

[chaser]

ah, I thought you meant app when you said app.
Yeah Googles all well but as you rightly say you are overrun with results so I guess another plus for many of those in a club is the convenience of everything listed on one website with the same t and cs overall, rather then finding something on google then finding one site will not charge for dogs, and another will, or some refuse dogs or kids or who knows what.

I meant overrun with apps.

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[houdini]

To be honest , just why does anyone need to be in any club.
There are thousands of sites and multiple apps to tell you where they are at far less money , I know some will come up with discounts, but why join them just to get your subscription back.
They are a well outdated thing going back to tents and caravans with no facilities, no need for any of that with motorhomes.

Perhaps not everyone has your confidence. We joined the clubs when we first got our first, and only, as we like the layout, very old motorhome.

Like knowing the campsite facilities will be of a certain standard;
helpful and knowledgeable staff who have helped us when we have had any technical problems;
backup if need medical help (David had major heart surgery);
mh and personal security;
our on board facilities are very basic, shower space tiny so like using site facilities; like talking to other people

these are a few reasons we still belong to the clubs at the moment, that may change, don’t know.

We all make our choices and are all different.

 

[chaser]

I meant overrun with apps.

Here's one to start with

Find and book the best UK camping, glamping and touring sites

Going camping or glamping? Find and book the UK's best sites at Campsites.co.uk, with full descriptions, large photos and more than 3,000 to choose from.

www.campsites.co.uk

 

[chaser]

Here's one to start with

Find and book the best UK camping, glamping and touring sites

Going camping or glamping? Find and book the UK's best sites at Campsites.co.uk, with full descriptions, large photos and more than 3,000 to choose from.

www.campsites.co.uk

Another one

App for UK campsite (Feedback, Ideas and Help Requests related to this website Forum)

App for UK campsite Discussion on the UKCampsite.co.uk Feedback, Ideas and Help Requests related to this website Forum

www.ukcampsite.co.uk

 

[hja]

It's very strange in my opinion that the top of the poll is folks on here who are in both clubs and the bottom one is neither.
I would have thought it would have been quite the opposite by a large margin.
Just why are people in both?

Reason for being in both? Been in CAMC for many years. Retain membership because we use CLs . Have got disgruntled with CAMC, not just prices but general way they treat members and their concerns and their appalling communications. So thought we would give CCC a try this year. We have stayed at two CCC club sites and one CS. Their age discount makes their club sites much cheaper. We camp on sites, including Aires where available. We do use independent sites, but being members of the clubs gives us access to Amy more sites. The CAMC has more CLs than the ccc does CSs.

 

[Aly1]

I’m a member of both and as a solo traveller I get a reduced fee. I’m mainly a member as I like online booking and I also use the CLs and THSs. I don’t think either cater for motorhomes as I only need a small pitch and no electric but these aren’t really readily available with the CMC.
Unlike a caravan I don’t need a pitch for my van, awning and a car. The cost of a non awning and awning pitch are the same.

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[PaulC70]

I meant overrun with apps.

doh!

 

[PaulC70]

Here's one to start with

Find and book the best UK camping, glamping and touring sites

Going camping or glamping? Find and book the UK's best sites at Campsites.co.uk, with full descriptions, large photos and more than 3,000 to choose from.

www.campsites.co.uk

Another one

App for UK campsite (Feedback, Ideas and Help Requests related to this website Forum)

App for UK campsite Discussion on the UKCampsite.co.uk Feedback, Ideas and Help Requests related to this website Forum

www.ukcampsite.co.uk

So neither are apps, both web based and Im already aware of the ukcampsite one and don't use if because its clunky and you cant search the whole uk in one go, you have to go to one area or county at a time.
I was hoping for better with the other one you linked to, but again, nope, you have to search per area / county.
Im sure it's fine for those that only want to go somewhere specific, but when i have a week or two off, Im open to the whole country, hell even other countries and want to cast a wide net and these don't allow that.

 

[nickq]

Member of both but to be honest always felt it was a poke in the eye when the caravan club re-branded caravan and motorhome club. I wish there was really a motorhome club that catered for motorhomes.
For example; who wants a basic pitch that they don't need to book 6 months in advance? Motorhome owners...

The most CAMC ever did for a motorhome was starting to put drive over drains in some sites, that's it.
What they really should do in my opinion is set aside some space for more aire style stopping, so if you are passing through and want to stop for 1 or 2 nights this becomes viable. That would be a motorhome club.
Let's not even get into the fact that most sites are in the middle on nowhere and expect you to have a car.

I think what camping-car park is doing in France is a good thing and the prices are reasonable. Only wish we had this in the UK.

As for CAMC prices, I believe they do it because they can, plain and simple. Pretty much every time I look to book they are fully booked mostly everywhere.

 

[dabhand]

Left CMC a few years ago, still in C&CC on a little CL near Swaffham, no facilities except water and elsan lovely peaceful spot £14 pupn with electricity

 

[maz]

Currently only a member of the C&CC but when I started out fulltiming (2011) I was a member of both for several years. I would over-winter on CMC sites as I found them better quality than the C&CC sites. A favourite was Ferry Meadows where as a solo I could stay in winter for £8 per night with 16A hook-up included to run the van's heating and water heating on electric. Once Easter arrived and prices went up, I would be off to CLs, CSs and THSs (plus a fair number of Fun rallies) until winter rates started again. A nice way to do things. Over the years prices started to increase but not to any great extent, and my routine worked well.

Once I was no longer solo and also travelling around Europe in the winter, we were only members of the CMC and used mainly CLs, although we were grateful to be able to use a CMC site during the Covid lockdown period (after an initial tussle ). After that we spent less time in the UK and switched to the C&CC for their THSs. Our C&CC membership expires next month and as we now live in Slovenia and will rarely be back in the UK, we will not be renewing.

I know ours are not typical circumstances but there is no way we would be paying current site prices at either Club. Many CSs are also over-priced and we would not be using any but the cheapest. THSs are still the main draw of the C&CC but they are becoming fewer in number so much less choice. Overall both Clubs are now poor value IMO, and we will no longer be members of either.

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[Whitebirdyman]

It's very strange in my opinion that the top of the poll is folks on here who are in both clubs and the bottom one is neither.
I would have thought it would have been quite the opposite by a large margin.
Just why are people in both?

Only 498 responses though, maybe a large number that are in neither are just ignoring this topic as being irrelevant to them?

 

[Gromett]

I used to be a member of the CC purely for their CL network. When I get back on the road I will rejoin purely for the CL network. Only used club sites a couple of times when meeting up with other people and don't like them.
Too many people, too regimented, too expensive

 

[davidroxburgh]

The reason we are members of both is that when we had a caravan we did life membership of what is now CAMC. I think that withdrawn many years ago. That gives us CL's without further fees and the initial fee has been recouped many times over. If we had not dome that I doubt we would bother.
Sadly the CCC does not do life memberships so we do their digital sub as we want access to CS small sites.

 

[nickq]

I used to be a member of the CC purely for their CL network. When I get back on the road I will rejoin purely for the CL network. Only used club sites a couple of times when meeting up with other people and don't like them.
Too many people, to regimented, too expensive

Yes, if you dare park the "wrong way around" end of days will ensue. Depite not having a fixed awning and a car next to you. Total nonsense. I remember one site (can't remember which) ages ago and they turned one person away because their van looked too much like a trade van! bonkers.

 

[Janine]

Stayed a member of C&CC as THS are good and one tunnel crossing save the fee. But I only pay the old fogey rate of £25.

How do you get an old fogey rate, please?

I get the age concession on sites but can’t see anything about reduced membership

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[Gromett]

I get the age concession on sites but can’t see anything about reduced membership

Need to be a bit older 1st Janine...

 

[Lenny HB]

How do you get an old fogey rate, please?

I get the age concession on sites but can’t see anything about reduced membership

25 years membership and think they have put the qualifying age up to 65 (was 60), they don't publish it anymore you have to contact them. They call it Veteran membership now.
Also you can only have paper membership so you get junk to throw in the recycle bin every month.

 

[Langtoftlad]

if you dare park the "wrong way around" end of days will ensue

Let's see - I don't think any of the club sites I've stayed on have been particularly bothered whether I drive onto, or reverse in - as long as the 6m space is maintained.
Haven't tried to park diagonally or across a pitch yet.

 

[Silviffer]

Member of both but now only because we can use THS with CCC
and CL's with CAMC.
Used to regularly use the main CAMC sites and always looked forward to a week at Rountree York but prices there (and elsewhere) are now ridiculous !
Have to say I’ve never personally had a problem with any wardens.

 

[Larafach]

I’m a member of both, only joined the CCC recently though. I think the CAMC mid week 50% offer is well worth it. I’ve got 12 nights on 3 sites with EHU and it‘s working out at £16.50 per night. No problems with wardens either, to date.

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[bellabee]

Is that with 60+ discount at Beadnell bay as when I’ve looked to book, it’s £59.60 to 2 nights midweek for grass non-electric pitch.

Yes, it is. But because they use 'dynamic pricing' there's probably no guarantee that it'll always be that rate. I only booked it a couple of days ago, so it could be that they were trying to sell the vacant pitches.
We've left there now, and are at Durham Rowing Club £25pn with ehu and services. Very pleasant in this weather. Showers and toilets available, but we shan't be using them .

 

[CazPaul]

I get what you are saying we like to use the remote farm CL sites and you have to be in the "club" to book in on them. I am a scaredy cat I like the security of these sites and I am always worried of being attacked in the night. I'm afraid I have read far too many Stephen King horror stories

I thought you said your hubby was a fitness fanatic who did martial arts? Doesn’t that make you feel secure and safe?

 

[Gina M]

I thought you said your hubby was a fitness fanatic who did martial arts? Doesn’t that make you feel secure and safe?

Yes, he does kickboxing, circuit training and weight training but that's of no use if you are faced with a gang carrying guns or machetes

 

[CazPaul]

Yes, he does kickboxing, circuit training and weight training but that's of no use if you are faced with a gang carrying guns or machetes

You need to stop watching all those films, what’s the chance of that happening on a remote CL or any Motorhome site.

 

[Gina M]

You need to stop watching all those films, what’s the chance of that happening on a remote CL or any Motorhome site.

I know I always overthink things and worry over stupid stuff

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