Is it me, but does anyone else have problems getting a one nights pitch for a motor home? I have just arrived back from a trip to Cornwall (an 800 mile round trip)I booked a pitch in Cornwall, but nothing on my trip down, I was held up on route and didn't make my target.
Im a CCC member and I find these the worse for neither a pitch or help in suggesting anywhere else locally, the same old question, have you booked!
As the nature of the beast I bought a motor home for the freedom to roam as and when I please, surely they can keep some pitches on larger sites free for us one nighters!
I have, I hasten to add, had some very helpful and caring independent camp site owners, who make up for the inconsiderate ones.Willing to find a pitch, even though it may be on grass, no hook up etc.
I guess my gripe is that unlike a caravan owner who books
for a week or more, us motor home owners don't get a look in. We don't have overnight parking like in France, Germany,(Aires) we are not allowed on most lay-bys and don't have the freedom to roam, as in Scotland.
Any freedom fighter out there who is willing to take up the coarse?
Hi Trevchrizy, I think the main problem is of course the time of the year, when most sites are heaving with no pitches left. I have been a CCC member for many years and at one time the clubs policy was to allow the warden now( site managers )to leave a few pitches empty for the passing tourer. Not any more, I contacted headquarters about it and was told it is at the wardens discretion. The clubs are out to make as much money as possible and always greet you with (have you booked) which in my case I never do !
The answere would seem to be to check out a CL farm type site near to where you will be for one night. This booking thing is a right bind as you say and goes against the whole idea of freedom and motorhoming.I choose because I can to leave the school holiday periods for the masses, or else select one of the many holiday rallys run by the CCC which says no booking neccasary then you know you will get on .
Its a problem caused by the popularity of camping and living on a tiny island.
If you're looking for 'one nighters' then pubs are a great solution.
As an example, we're visting friends near York tomorrow night and have phoned a local pub to see if ok to stay overnight in their car park - no problem
You could just call in on the off chance when passing or if you'd rather have an idea in advance of motorhome friendly pubs just google 'uk pub stopovers' or 'motorhome friendly pubs' for websites that have lists.
Some pubs may make a small charge, some just expect you to use their bar, some are just free...
If we are traveling and need to stop en-route we wouldn't stop for 1 night on a main club site. We would do as kiev suggests re CS/CLs or with the increasing amounts of pubs offering an overnight as Neil suggests try that.
I am not sure (as yet) I would subscribe to Motorhomestopovers as there seems to be quite a few pubs who are not in the scheme happy to let you park if you have a meal or a few drinks
There are quite a few motorway service stations where you can stop for the night for around £15. We stayed at st michaelswood on the way to Devon this year. It seems like you are paying the money for very little in return but it solved a problem for us.
I think you get a breakfast voucher when you pay. Some years ago I paid a fiver to sleep in my car in the services and got coffee vouchers worth £4.50.
'Rip off, for £15 a night I'd expect EHU, free showers and a pitch where I can peg out my awning.'
Of course its a rip off, but it made for the best start to our hoilday. We set off from home at nine on friday night and pulled over at one in the morning. Set off at seven-thirty the next morning well refreshed and arrived at Hillhead at about ten. Despite being ripped off we would still do it again.
We toured around Cornwall this year and didn't book anything in advance either. We tended to use CS's or Temp Holiday sites and never had a problem getting a pitch. We tend to avoid larger sites anyway.
After reading your gripe on the CCC booking or not for a good nights kip, I did think why don't our clubs take up the banner, like the Caravan or Camping and Caravanning clubs, isn't that what we pay our fees for or do we like sleeping next a juggernaut on the motorway services with his freezer unit going all night long for an extortionate fee.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Freedom for Motorhomes
