Too true Pepe - arsey wardens can be a pain - can sometimes be over the top - I hate signs everywhere - worst one I ever saw was "unruley children will be flogged and sold"
Another time in the lakes - we complained to the warden as a group youngsters were drinking heavily and shout etc at 1am - he just told us he wasnt going to do anything as last time he got hit! we had to grin and bear for 2 nights!
all we really ask is really good clean loos and shower, flat pitch with some shelter from other pitches, quite site after about 11:00pm - something we always seem to find on continental campsites - although rare in some parts of Britain
Quote: Originally posted by 3bikeman on 24/11/2011
....I hate signs everywhere - worst one I ever saw was "unruley children will be flogged and sold"
Worst!?..that's bl**dy genius!...I've got to get me one of those,what with the family coming over for Christmas....
We've only been Mhing for 4-5 years or so and when first joined the CC,to be honest our first impressions were that it was a bit staid and a bit,"prim and proper"...but what this means in real terms,is very quiet and well ordered sites.
(..e.g.. You're not sitting there,waiting for some kid's football to bounce off your bonnet..again! or for some kids kite to spear a hole in the roof of your van... )
You will find that the busy,more popular sites are ...well...busy and popular and therefore sometimes hard to book.(..the main sticking point with the CC online booking system,is that because they don't take a deposit,it seems that some folk just book loads of dates "just in case" ..there was talk of that changing but I'm not sure if it has..)
Thanks for your comments Pepe - take your point, can see why you think its "genius" - like the reference to kids footballs etc - the booking thing - there was something in a mag MMM - but it didnt seem to be sorted - deposits the answer - however the sites must know the persistent offenders ?
Members unable to take up their bookings are asked to give as much notice as possible when cancelling, with a minimum of 72 hours before their arrival date. This will enable other members to book that pitch. Members who cancel inside 72 hours, or fail to turn up at a booked pitch, three times during 2012 will be contacted by the Club and will forfeit their ability to book for 14 days - any forward bookings will also be cancelled. Persistent late cancellations/non-arrivals may result in membership suspension.
Thanks Peter Holden - I fit the bill at 61! highlyunlikely to go in school holidays anymore - until we get grandchildren that is!!! enjoy midweek trips and home for the weekend [no not retired - but semi - need to work to afford to go away and pay for van etc :-) ]
I find some of the comments about the two main clubs most interesting.
Some of the plus points that other have brought up, would put me off completely and other negative points sound rather atractive for me.
Both the mains clubs have plenty on offer for all comers, that is why they are both successful and have their own large followings. And equally both offer good campsites in across the board locations, which is why we are members of both clubs although we perhaps only use a small proportion of what each has to offer.
That said, we still save ourselves more than the cost of the membership fees by using their cheap options and deals.
As a motorhomer I've found both clubs have their merits and their drawbacks.
The Camping & Caravanning Club(C&CC) advertise themselves as the new forward looking alternative for all types of campers, especially younger campers in tents. Personal experience is that some of their sites are lovely but their warden system leaves a lot to be desired. Narky seasonal wardens who didn't realise how hard they would have to work for that winter in the sun. Also their sites can be teaming with kids and irate parents during busy times. At other times you will be sharing with tents. Moneywise you are expected to pay upfront for a pitch when booking online. Either a deposit or the full amount depending on when you book.
The Caravan Club (CC) are yet to shrug off their 'posh' image. Despite this in my opinion they have the most welcoming sites coming nearer in welcome to some european sites. You pay for your nights staying then go and find your pitch. Once you find the pitch you want you let reception know and you are given your entrance/exit fob. Generally you'll be sharing with other motorhomers or caravanners. Moneywise you can book online for free, and pay when you arrive. The negative to this is that weekends, bank holidays etc can be pre-booked at popular sites without people turning up.
Thanks sunandshade - this is a useful comparison - looking through the feedback the CC seems to be coming out as the one that might be most useful to me - although the booking does seem an issue - having said that I am not very good at booking a long way in advance prefer to decide a couple of weeks before - which is hard as they are full or not! if people dont turn up. Your comparison with european sites is interesting - I have been camping in Europe every year for the last 40 yrs - never had any issues with european sites - always found them excellent - there are many poor sites in this country however[there are also many good ones] we have to sort out good from bad !! and maybe the CC or CCC is the best way to find good sites. Maybe now I use a campervan, my children have grown up and left home as well as being able to select the time I go rather than school holidays I am looking for something different than I did with a tent, with 3 children in school holidays - I think after the xmas spend i will have to invest in CC membership - thanks for all the responses - an interesting debate between the 2 - it would be interesting for the CC and CCC to tell us what they believe is different and what they offer that the other doesant and why we [I] should join each
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: camping and caravan club or caravan club
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..there was talk of that changing but I'm not sure if it has..)
