We, The family ( two adults and two kids ) have just purchased our first tent a Vango Diablo 600dx. We wanted the 900, but after reading about large tents and problems with camp sites we went for the 600.
I have just read a few threads about camping clubs and if its worth joining, but listening to all the problems and attitudes i'm wondering if i have made the right decision to get into camping.
To top it off i've had this reply from C&CC with regards our tent.
If your tent is more than 9m (30f) long or 5m (16f) width, you would only be able to make bookings with the site direct as the Site Manager would have to see if they have a big enough pitch to accommodate your tent, which is not always guaranteed.
All we are after is some small sites with just the basics, toilet and shower.
We have been in for several years now and found them very good and clean.Haven't come across any of the management to upset us. Also no noisy generators banging away either.Sooner use them than some commercial sites with parties going on half the night.
The main advantage to joining as far as we are concerned is the Temporary Holiday Sites (THS) that the various regions run throughout the year. Value for money, they cannot be beaten.
I agree.
This topic comes up every year and I respond the same way every year.
When I had a young family, we were members, but we only ever used the Temporary Holiday Sites. Even back then, over fifteen years ago, it was easy to find commercial sites as good as, but cheaper than, club sites, so we never used them. Now that I am divorced and the children are grown up, I wouldn't even consider being a member as even the "Special Backpacker Rate" on club sites is more expensive then I pay on private sites as a "walk on" camper. Not only that, but it doesn't cost me £33 a year to camp on the inexpensive private sites.
The Big Sites Book is good, but who needs it when we have this web site?
Quote: Originally posted by kondor on 21/6/2007
Whooa! you can now search for CS sites on the CCC homepage :) + you can ask it for showers and WC and kids play areas :)
Thats a damn good improvement for families with tents.
We are members of the CCC and I must say that for what you pay you get a great service. We have a very large Outwell Bearlake tent and we have never had a problem finding a pitch large enough. The sites are clean and the wardens are generally very friendly. I also get age concessions which makes it an even better deal. We also insure our tent with the club and that is good too.The customer service of the club is brilliant, they really do help you when you want it! As an added bonus, you also get an excellent magazine with all the news, camping stuff and letters from other members too. All in all it is money well spent. Another bonus this year is that you can check availabilty of sites and you can actually book the site on-line!Superb! Go on...just join!
Hi all
The only real problem you are likely to get with the C&C club is how the site manager reacts to the rules.All sites must have rules but intelligent management who apply these rules with a bit of intellect and psychology, would make all the difference.But you can get these problems anywhere.
Yes it is worth joining the club if you want to be assured of a good clean quite site.Read the rules and if you require something that may bend the rules check with the site manager before you book this goes for private sites also.remember that with the C&C Club you will not be charged for pup, toilet or kitchen tents as long as they fit on your pitch.
We have just returned from 14 nights at Folkstone.The site and management was second to none.but for long stays
I recommend you arrive Friday 1200hrs or wait until Sunday 1200hrs when the weekender have gone home.
The C&C Club like all sites are drifting away from the REAL campers the ones under canvas,a lot of the better pitches have been turned into hard standings this also goes for the sites that do not allow caravans.
Enjoy your camping.
Rex
------------- "Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)
Well, I still feel that only being a member for a few weeks I should not really give my thoughts quite yet, but,
The Good points...
This is what it seems to offer me. If I want to go off on a weekend trip with the kids and at the same time join in a bit of fun and games and meet new folk I can do so almost on my doorstep, or go further if I wish.
If I want to go on holiday with the kids during peak season I can without it costing me a fortune or having to go on a cramped site.
It only costs 33 quid a year.
The Big Sites Book is very nice.
Out and About (mag supplement) gives you lots of places to visit (THS and Rallies)
The Bad Points.
Hold on, did someone say "excellent magazine" ?!? It is not excellent, it is pretty rubbish. Someone described it as a page flicker and that just about sums it up. It is to camping what the free local rag is to news.
It really is mostly caravaner's
The club sites are a bit pricey.
In summary, it is worth it, if you just join it for one year, get the big sites book and read the free mag (I dare you to try) and maybe go on one holiday site for one weekend you will break even. Do study the out and about mag, each DA is different in its make up of folk as they can move from one to the other. It makes more sense to stick to a DA that has a similar attitude to camping as you do.
Quote: Originally posted by rexgrant on 25/6/2007
All sites must have rules but intelligent management who apply these rules with a bit of intellect and psychology, would make all the difference.
Well said rexgrant.
We had a site manager complain that while we were over 6m from the adjacent unit, if they decided to erect an awing we wouldn't be.
So I ask my neighbour (who's watching the exchange with amusement) whether he's planning on putting up an awning? No he says - he doesn't own one.
Site manager then suggests that the next occupant of the adjacent site may want to erect an awning. Fair point,.... but consultation with my neighbour reveals that he has booked for 4 days longer than we have
I booked a C&CC site last year from Sunday until Wednesday, but when I arrived I told the site manager that I had decided to stay for the full week. He told me to just pay until Wednesday and come back then and pay for the rest of the week. When I went back on Wednesday morning he said they had received a block booking and I had to be off the site by 12 o'clock. A few other people were in the same situation.
We had a site manager complain that while we were over 6m from the adjacent unit, if they decided to erect an awing we wouldn't be.
Lol. I see they haven't got any better then.
As I said earlier, when I was a member we only ever used Temporary Holiday Sites. I had heard about these "Site Managers" ("Wardens" as they were then) and decided that if I wanted to spend my precious free time being overseen by concentration camp guards I might as well book a trip to North Korea and pee up a statue of Kim Il Sung.
I have been on one CCC Site in Suffolk, the staff were rude, unfreindly and had a fixation about windbreakers between tents. In fairness the site facilities were excellent and spotless, however the CCC has a way of sucking the fun out of all things camping and shows a definite like of caravan owners, over us who prefer canvas.
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: Camping and Caravanning Club
