Is it worth joining the C & MHC ?

[Aerialmark]

Hi, as the title says is it a good club to join ? This year we will be having our main holiday in August touring abroad but in the meantime we have 5 day breaks in Feb, April and June where we will be in the uk ? Do they offer a better site and are there other benefits to being a member or would I be better off joining something else. Thankyou.

 

[Larrynwin]

We are also members of both clubs , don’t find the C&CC to be exceptionally friendly and prefer C&MC , CLs good value and main sites not too costly off peak and consistent good quality facilities with friendly helpful wardens.

 

[Lenny HB]

Oh No!!! Dont get him started!, the fees for a weeks stay on a CMC prison camp, would cover all his aire/sosta costs in France & Spain for a year!...maybe longer.
I hear a siren in the distance....Quick Duck & Cover...incoming
LES

Oh so true.

Without wishing to hijack the original post can someone please tell me which one of these clubs allows you, for a small fee, to dump grey and black water etc without actually staying on the site.
Many thanks.

It's the C&CC, not a small fee anymore now £7.50 but you can use all facilities for 2 hours.

 

[Gaston aires]

C&MC is very good providing you use them a lot. For us, we tend to tour a lot and do music festivals etc. I try to use the vans own facilities as much as possible so no need for fancy sites.
Phil

 

[Sucoz]

We joined camc because we have family close to one of their sites, sites tend to be very clean, all of a good standard but quite expensive. However benefits also include cheaper ferry fares (particularly Isle of Wight ferry for us)
We also use the CL's which vary in price from about £5 upwards. Some are brilliant some are awful, the online reviews give a good idea.

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[tonyidle]

We're members of both. One advantage not mentioned so far: if you use your van in Winter they're brilliant with luxuriously heated toilet blocks (whether you need them or not), clean pathways, hard standings available, and if you choose wisely a nearby pub. We go to Chester for a week mid-January with at least one other couple and have a brilliant break.

 

[Leakylunar]

Love the cl 5 van sites after we stayed on a very bad one I now check reviews.
I find the good ones do get booked up very quickly that was when we had our caravan.
I didn’t know about being able to use ccc to for the facilities for 2 hrs as I have a camper van that would be useful.

 

[Peskyrabbitt]

We are into our second year of motrhoming and loving it. We joined the C&MHC Club and will definitely renew, as others have stated it depends on what you want? We prefer the small CLS for a more relaxing time, and nice rural escapes where we can walk our dogs. We have used Club Sites also and have a few that we like. but tend to book them when there are offers on, as can be pricey. Looking at reviews on the Club will help in choosing where to go and stay, but as we are all different reviews are only guides, what maybe good for you maybe terrible for someone else ( we found that out ) not going to mention where though. We are considering joining the C&CC Club but have not taken the plunge yet, still researching. We also joined Britstops but have only used twice so far, manly due to preferring the CLS.

We toured in our MH for about 3 months last year, so personally think that by joining the C&MHC we have more than recuperated our joining fees, if you are only going to travel for a few days may not be beneficial in joining financially. If money is no issue then as others have stated join a few Clubs, C&MHC , C&CC , Britstops etc you will get to know what meets you requirements.

 

[JohnJan]

Sites are usually good and well located. I prefer CAMC to CCC so I'll probably not renew CCC

Totally agree
Also the shower blocks in CMHC are immaculate and the actual showers have an on/off lever and a separate temperature adjuster. Sheer bliss

 

[Captain Pants]

Totally agree
Also the shower blocks in CMHC are immaculate and the actual showers have an on/off lever and a separate temperature adjuster. Sheer bliss

There are a few that don’t meet that standard, but if so, generally they’re on a planned refurbishment list. Unfortunately there are some prime sites like Bristol & Crystal Palace where facilities are getting very tired, but the sites are living on borrowed time, so investment not economic.

The seniors rate on CCC sites in low season makes for some real bargains. However, quite a few of their sites these days seem to have ‘cabins’ which can be occupied by large, noisy groups who don’t know how to behave on a campsite. They can be especially bad at weekends.

Don't expect to get much value from the online forums, particularly CMC. Just a handful of regular posters with nothing much to offer. Anything slightly contentious or interesting tends to get shut down quickly.

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[Aerialmark]

Once again thankyou for all your comments they are really helpful. I am going to join the CMHC tonight and the CCC in Feb (Just to stagger the joining fees) I will do as a few of you have mentioned and try them both for a couple of years then decide.

 

[Aerialmark]

Joined !

 

[Rapphil]

As well as ferry discounts don’t forget discounts at Go Outdoors, Mountain Warehouse and Cotswold stores plus others. Check which card for applies to each store.

 

[Mick and Ruth]

Hi
We are newbies so joined the CAMC to try it out and so far so good, The sites we have used have been spotless and wardens pleasant and helpful. Also what I didn’t realise is you get 15% discount in Mountain Warehouse stores when buying kit. As both me and my wife hold blue light cards for working for the emergency services we only get 10% on that particular card. We have stayed on other sites which have been better (Morris) but you pay a lot more.
People say you have to book early but that is the same with any type of holiday in my experience.
I will renew at the end of the year no problem.

 

[Sid52]

We were members of both but increasingly found we weren't using them and so are now not members. For example last spring in Norfolk we used Britstops and a couple of independent campsites. We found the camc and ccc sites expensive and rarely in the right place for access to local facilities without driving. Like others have mentioned we also disliked the regimentation and petty rules which plague many sites.
On the continent nearly all of our stops are on aires, usually well suited for attractions within cycling or walking distance.

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[colyboy]

Sites are usually good and well located. I prefer CAMC to CCC so I'll probably not renew CCC

 

[colyboy]

IF you are only going to use “five sites” I really don’t see the reason to be a member of any club. (I am a member of the CCCC). When staying in “five sites” I have yet to be asked for my membership card, that’s both club sites. The sites are normally on a farm type of field. All the farmer is interested in is £10in his back pocket don’t ask for a receipt!.

 

[robnchris]

As already said both clubs are pretty similar in standards etc, the biggest difference is when booking with the C & CC you have to pay a deposit which if you cancel last minute for what ever reason is lost, whilst the C & MC you don't have to pay a deposit.
We prefer the C & M C over the C&CC but have joined both clubs on the basis that in some parts of the country we visit you will only find one of them has a site there.

 

[Viennese]

I have been a member for many years. we don't use the sites much, but do use the local weekend rallies with the local District Associations (DAs) Temporary Holiday Sites all over the UK (THSs) and the network of 5 van Certified Location sites (CLs). I also get a discount on my RAC membership and they give better cover than standard

That sounds more like the Camping & Caravanning Club to me, and I much prefer it to the Caravan Club (C&MHC)!

 

[The Coops]

Beware CCC sites if the staff use phrases such as *See you next time* and *Thanks, wait a tick* use generic spelling for see and you ( C and U) and then use the first letter of the phrase to form an acronym ! Its the secret code between staff as to what they think of the punters! I kid you not.

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[TR5]

As with all businesses, the wardens are staff, and they can vary, from very friendly, to - as some will put it, obnoxious. However, the bad ones are few and far between, and most are very friendly and obliging. Don't forget, they have to put up with some obnoxious campers, too. Treat them right, and almost all will do the same back.

Another benefit not mentioned is insurances, vehicle, breakdown, travel - all especially geared to the caravanner/motorhomer.

 

[two]

My simple answer is No. I used to be a member of both, but not any more because I don't need them. I've not analysed the costs but can find all the enjoyment and discounted services I need without being committed to a 'Club'. Indeed the regimentation at some sites is a decided turn-off. There are plenty of good independent sites but they may not be in the right location. Be aware that the clubs you refer to have roots in tents and caravans. Even though one has changed its name (at huge expense) most of their site locations and facilities have not been provided with motorhomes in mind.
You could try one of the clubs, to see how you get on, but only the one that's offering something you want. There's little point in joining both clubs because they overlap each other so much - unless the membership cost is not an issue (but then I suspect the question would not have been asked).

 

[romany]

Seeing as this post came up I thought I would check a few things I left both clubs years ago not my type of camping and to expensive, Having said that the cl and cs sites have always been one of the better part of the clubs and now with ccc offering black waste and water top up etc for £7.50 is a step in the right direction if a tad expensive if you only want to dump waste or just top up with water (I know some people are never satisfied but I dont need showers or washing machines ).
Now my friend is still a c&cc and the other mob I decided to use his ccc membership to check so called cheaper ferry costs so going from New haven to Diepe one way I saved £30 on the ccc quote my return journey from Bilboa to Portsmouth I saved £1 on the ccc quote with ccc saying they were getting an extra 10% off of Brittany prices On my motor home insurance with Comfort I saved £80 pound over ccc and £95 over the other mob and that included longer time away cover and full comprehensive break down cover here and abroad which was extra with both clubs. (checked last May) I haven't compared euro tunnel as we use Tesco vouchers for that which I think makes it impossible for anyone else to match.
Also the fact there are many good campsites of equally good set ups far cheaper than either club I won't be rushing back to them, having said all that I would advise the same as others join them and see if they suit you as a lot depends on what you want.
Good luck

 

[Aerialmark]

Thankyou for your post, its very informative.

 

[robert groves]

Club sites were originally intended as a 'Cheap' holiday for the masses...Unfortunately, out of reach now for most vanners/mhomers...with the average of £30 + per night...Now we use either the 'Britstops' site or find the cheapest 'listed/affiliated site for £5 per night with some water fill/disposal points...We joined the 'Britstop' club late last year, and have stayed at a couple of pubs overnight...Just play the game and buy either a few pints of a simple meal....some farmers are now Re-discovering the benefits of campers and are also listed in the britstop Guide Book.

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[Wobblybob]

Member of both clubs prefer cmc, but most of all i feel more secure on club sites.
nice to know you can go off for the day and come back to find your unit still there
and unmolesed.

 

[Gellyneck]

Maybe I'm picking all the wrong sites! Spent a good number of nights on C&MC sites last year from Highland Scotland to Cornwall (OK not August) with the lowest cost \ per night being <£19 and the maximum being >£30. If you exclude the one site at £30 (Godrevy Park) we averaged around the low £20's. This was comparable to the commercial sites which we also used.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

In December we were trying to book up to one of the two CCC sites at Keswick as part of a short tour to celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary (we had our honeymoon at Keswick after a Gretna Green wedding!) We wanted to spend two nights there before moving on. Although our trip was almost 8 months away we couldn't get booked there even though it was in midweek! There is a minimum booking of 3 nights and even 5 nights on certain weeks during the summer. This seems to be heavily weighted towards club members who have caravans. We ended up booking a private site near Keswick. I just wonder how many of the club sites have the same conditions throughout the summer?

 

[tonyidle]

Club sites were originally intended as a 'Cheap' holiday for the masses.

The C&MC certainly didn't start that way. At the time of its inception caravanning and to some extent even camping was well out of reach of the masses. It was very much a Gentlemans Club and has taken a long to to shake off that baggage.

 

[MyrtleGuru]

Aerialmark For a few extra quid a year, why not do as many of us do and join both main clubs for a year or two. There are pros and cons to each club, but I find that it doubles the number of main sites that are available to me, as well as opening up access to each club’s 5 van sites (CLs and CSs).

That's what we do. Because the UK doesn't have the network of aires that we rely on in Spain/France/Portugal, we tend to rely on the 5-van CL and CS sites when touring in the UK. As members of both, there is generally somewhere to stop wherever we end up.

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[RidersofRohan]

Member if both. For me the CCC is the one to be in.
1. Over 60’s discount on main sites
2. Their DA and THS are ideal for UK touring Spring Summer Autumn and are usually about £10 per night. Most of the temporary sites are at Rugby/ Football grounds or Racecourses which means you are close to the resort centre than you would be at a campsite.
3. They have discounts on stuff but you do need to shop around as sometimes you can do same or better.
4. CL / CC ‘s are good but a bit of a pick and mix.
5. Their Keswick sites we love, lake side and 5 mins walk from Town and Lake launches.
My wife insists we also remain in CMC because their sites are usually top quality but at about £30 a night I’m not too impressed.