Just how busy are UK campsites at the moment?

[M-J]

Not if you've got a right hand hab door?

Don’t see the issue, just drive in forwards.

 

[wiljoy]

If you’re asking, then I’ll tell you that’s not true. We’re on our third MH with the habitation door on the wrong side and it makes no difference to the welcome you receive on a CMC site.

Sorry but we had problems at York Rowntree and Inverness. Jobsworth on patrol. Doesn't really matter now as we avoid the regimental brigade.

 

[Beltie]

We have rh hab door and it's never been an issue with either of the major clubs.

 

[138go]

Sorry but we had problems at York Rowntree and Inverness. Jobsworth on patrol. Doesn't really matter now as we avoid the regimental brigade.

I think you might find that they have changed their approach somewhat. We like their sites as they are very well run, clean, tidy and reliable.

 

[Richard n Ann]

That's one of the reasons we like Spain, nobody gives a flying flip how or where you park, or what is on your pitch for that matter. When we camped in England last year first time in ages, I did have a giggle at the jobsworths directing and making sure we were parked in the exact correct spot

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Mikey RV]

That's one of the reasons we like Spain, nobody gives a flying flip how or where you park, or what is on your pitch for that matter. When we camped in England last year first time is ages I did have a giggle at the jobsworths directing and making sure we were parked in the exact correct spot

And that’s why in Spain if one goes up in flames the whole row burns down. Some of the Spanish sites look like shanty towns with seasonal caravans, awnings, windbreaks etc all joined up.

 

[Richard n Ann]

And that’s why in Spain if one goes up in flames the whole row burns down. Some of the Spanish sites look like shanty towns with seasonal caravans, awnings, windbreaks etc all joined up.

Yes seen them, we wouldn't camp there, we like a bit of space on ours

 

[138go]

And that’s why in Spain if one goes up in flames the whole row burns down. Some of the Spanish sites look like shanty towns with seasonal caravans, awnings, windbreaks etc all joined up.

Yes some Spanish sites are exactly like shanty towns! You really have to pick where you stay. We would never book a Spanish site without viewing it first. On the other hand, the CMC sites are always of an excellent standard.

 

[Mr Colpot]

We have had a few days around the Broads and have struggled to find places. Have got them in the end though after a bit of ringing around. A lot were booked up till end Sept. (CS & CL sites)

 

[pandas]

A couple of CMC sites I've used recently have now adopted park either way nose in or bum in. Good news for the hab door owners.
Phil

Wasn’t the front out Policy for caravans only so In case of an emergency the fire brigade can tow them out quickly to stop the migration of fire? Seems a sensible logic.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[NorthernSoul]

Just got back from a few days in Northumberland and Durham. Bellingham (CCC) and Beadnell Bay (CCC) were full and Barnard Castle (CMC) just had a couple of empty pitches.

 

[pandas]

Yesterday I tried 4 CAMC sites in N. Yorks but all full throughout August (and most of Sept) except for three or four isolated (i.e. non-consecutive) nights. You might be luckier with CLs or non 'Club' sites.
First time for 15 years that I've considered holidaying with the m/h in U.K. so not used to the faff of having to book ahead so I'll go abroad again.
This website is quite good:

The UK Camp Site for Tent and Caravan Campers in the UK with over 250,000 campsite reviews

12,000 UK campsites and caravan sites with over 250,000 campsite reviews in the UK and France and Europe on the Camping and Caravanning Website. Plus For sale adverts, forums, weather forecast, camping articles and loads more

www.ukcampsite.co.uk

I believe the CAMC policy of not commiting you to a deposit on a future booking is a mistake. Why; there are many who book a site way in advance just to make sure they have a slot even if they have no idea if they intend to use it or not. You look on the web site or phone and it’s full but as the booking date reduces to a commitment window of, I believe, a three day before money changes hand there are cancellations. Crap happens when you cannot make it or you need to change but that can be managed another way. My perception could be wrong so it would be interesting to understand from the CAMC from all their sites how many cancellations they have and what period before the booked date that was.

 

[Spriddler]

I believe the CAMC policy of not commiting you to a deposit on a future booking is a mistake. Why; there are many who book a site way in advance just to make sure they have a slot even if they have no idea if they intend to use it or not.

Agreed. When I gave up 25 years of tenting around Europe by motorbike seven years ago and bought my m/h I joined the CAMC because 'that's what people did'. I used their sites a couple of times in the first year but got fed up with booking ahead to stay in car parks. I've remained a member but have since only used their sites, (mainly CLs) for a couple of nights a year as convenient for attending a couple of specific family or hobby events.
This year, due to CV and other circumstances I thought I'd give the U.K. a go but as you say, the sites become booked up far in advance, particularly for Friday and Saturday nights whether or not folk have any serious plans, thus making it difficult to arrange a tour of a week or more. They recently enabled members to book a year in advance which is just as well as their website is glacially slow.
I've ended up staying two nights next week at somewhere I don't really want to go just to meet up with distant elder son and family in their m/h and younger son with their caravan then I'm off abroad, never to holiday by m/h in U.K. again.

 

[CAJASAT]

Have been to Brighton CAMC sister twice since it reopened. Both times busy but not full. Also had 2 nights on a private site (Gorse Farm) in The New Forest on Sunday/Monday and plenty of space on a lovely site. Did phone as couple of CLs and the CAMC site at Brockenhurst that were all full.

Hunt around and there are spaces. Don’t forget schools (potentially) go back in September which should free up lords of space.

 

[minesapint]

And that’s why in Spain if one goes up in flames the whole row burns down. Some of the Spanish sites look like shanty towns with seasonal caravans, awnings, windbreaks etc all joined up.

This is an example of the Spanish shanty town approach, we moved to an open pitch as soon as we possibly could.,,

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Spriddler]

Hunt around and there are spaces.

No offence CAJASAT but my choice of a self-contained m/h was for the flexibility to wander at will along the paths less trod, stopping off after 20, 50 or 100 miles at places that look interesting, not spend time frustratingly hunting around for sites on the computer and checking the desirability of their location on Google Earth etc.
Evidently I've been spoiled by 40 years enjoying the freedom and flexibility of touring abroad. Mind you, living just a 25 minute drive from France is a factor; France is a shorter drive than to my nearest m/h dealer and outdoor equipment shop.

 

[Beltie]

Richard,

Which site were you on where the 'jobsworth' was directing you and making sure you parked in exactly the right spot?

Perhaps I've been fortunate, but in twenty odd years of C&MC membership, I've never witnessed it. You choose your pitch and away you go. In my experience, private sites can be a lot more anal, and I know of a few that do have specific rules for 'vans with rh hab doors.

 

[Mikey RV]

This is an example of the Spanish shanty town approach, we moved to an open pitch as soon as we possibly could.,,View attachment 413225View attachment 413224

Disaster waiting to happen.

 

[g3cwi]

Disaster waiting to happen.

...and yet some people say that's how they like it. I will stick with sites that are run in an orderly way thanks.

 

[Stewart J]

Currently on the THS at Beadnell almost 200 units here almost twice usual number. Farmer kindly agreed use of a second field.
A huge effort has gone into incorporating all of the new rules and requirements and so far it seems to be working really well. Just need the weather to pick up!

Also on the Beadnell THS 200 units now and the CCC site next door is full, lots of moans as the toilet block and shop is shut they are paying £32 per night minimum we are paying £8 all in no charge for kids or dogs, so effectively the members using the site are paying £24 extra for lecky.
Drove through Bamburgh and Seahouses yesterday to get here, the numbers of people visiting was astounding and I visit regularly but have never seen the like. The car parking was ridiculous on the verges alongside the road.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[WJACC]

...and yet some people say that's how they like it. I will stick with sites that are run in an orderly way thanks.

Orderly or controlled....

 

[Adriaadventure]

We are at seahouses ccc temp holiday site
Great location for visiting Northumbria.Seahouses a short walk down the beach or road via footpath or cycle,there are around 200 vans here.
No booking required just turn up.
This one running till 12th August
The next running from 20th August till 3rd September.
£8 a night no electric plenty of water points and chemical toilet emptying.
Right across from the beach what more do you need.

 

[Peter Goadby]

Was at Harford Bridge, Tavistock for a week (came back yesterday). It is a lovely site but was, at best, 40% full on any day.

 

[PaddyM]

Yes seen them, we wouldn't camp there, we like a bit of space on ours

View attachment 413203

How picturesque

 

[Catpirate]

Hi all,

This is my first post on here, been a watcher for several years. just home after visiting Brixham and wales, did some wild camping in between including Exmouth. Used to have problems with CCC about my Burstner door so decided to join Camping and Caravan club. i have had no problems since. i have toured Europe and last year Scotland (not the 500) I love the independence a motorhome gives me. I even fitted a hoist so I can take my disabled daughter. my guess is some sites are near full at weekends but most have space. Off to Darley dale this weekend to a pub off grid site. My advice is just go and enjoy....

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Richard n Ann]

Hi all,

This is my first post on here, been a watcher for several years. just home after visiting Brixham and wales, did some wild camping in between including Exmouth. Used to have problems with CCC about my Burstner door so decided to join Camping and Caravan club. i have had no problems since. i have toured Europe and last year Scotland (not the 500) I love the independence a motorhome gives me. I even fitted a hoist so I can take my disabled daughter. my guess is some sites are near full at weekends but most have space. Off to Darley dale this weekend to a pub off grid site. My advice is just go and enjoy....

to posting

 

[Realist]

Forgot to book a place this weekend and called, looked online at every site in South Wales and all full.

So it’s costa back garden for me.

 

[Hawkstone]

Dorset is pretty rammed especially coastal ones. We are off tomorrow for 3 nights but it took a lot of searching and emails. This one has no toilets or showers open which suits us fine anyway. Weekdays are obviously better than weekends. Taking plenty of sun cream and falling down water this weekend

 

[Langtoftlad]

Always baffled by those who think the Clubs have loads of 'rules'.
Never had an issue... park up in the middle of your pitch & whaddya know, you're inline with your pitch marker... drive in, reverse in they care not.
[not even at Rowntree]

 

[claude et maude]

I know this is probably heresy but once a year we use the touring pitch on a holiday camp site either here or preferably abroad, not the cheapest but the kids book (note book not pay, that appears to be my job) a static for themselves and grandkids.

Last week we went to the Isle of Wight and whilst the pitches were more expensive than a club site they were available, I would say in our 5 days there occupancy of pitches varied from about 20% to 50%, so there are other ways to get pitches if desperate. I wouldn’t advise it for too long though unless you have deep pockets or you have a fetish for grown men in pink rabbit costumes.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}