Hiya everyone, im new to this forum but would like some advice please. I am a single mum with a two year old and wondered if it is worth me joining the camping and caravanning club? would it work out cheaper for me or not? I like the idea of joining but if its not going to work out any cheaper for me to join than than it would be to go elsewhere I wont bother. Thanks in advance for any replies Carly
The club sites are expensive in my view but the certificated sight can be inexpensive. Only problemre the is you don't get much for your money very often.
We gave up our club membership at the beginning of the year through lack of benefit. There are plent of inexpensive sites about outside of the club.
You will learn more on this forum than you will from the club.
Camping and Caravanning Club charge per person and under 6's are free if the adult is a member so it may work out cheaper than many sites where the standard charge tends to be for 2 adults.
Current annual membership fee (if paying by Direct Debit) is £37, and non-members(except backpackers, who qualify for a lower rate) using Club Sites have to pay a "pitch fee" of £7pn on top of the normal charge, so if you intend staying on Club Sites for six or more nights a year, joining would be the cheaper option.
You can join on arrival at a Club Site, or in some cases at one of their Certificated Sites (privately owned, usually with limited facilities and usually inexpensive).
Membership also gives you access to meets (rallies) with a nominal charge and, uniquely, I think, Temporary Holiday Sites, where in some cases you can use the facilities of a "host" commercial site for much less than the site's own charges.
One advantage would be that you become a member of your local District Association and could join in on weekend meets with them. You'd become a part of a large group of campers where you can join in or not but feel safe. Also as Hacksaw Bob says, the Temporary Holiday Sites can be really good. We went to one earlier in the year where we were welcomed into the rally field,escorted to a pitch where we discussed whether it was suitable for us or not,were offered assistance & generally felt amongst friends even though we'd not met any of them before. It was a commercial site where we could use all of the facilities but at a much reduced price. We've also been on a meet which was also on a commercial site but again paid reduced fees.
I think financially you might not find too much difference in your pitch fees but the membership fee would be worth it for the companionship not just for you but for your child too.
Thanks for all the replies, I think I am going to join and hopefully will make use of the little CS sites and have some nice quiet cheap weekends. Is it worth me joining now or waiting until the beginning of next year now? Also is there any sites that can be recommended for a single mum with a toddler? thanks Carly
If you join this year you will have the sites books and members can book campsites in advance from November, plus monthly magazines to read. If you don't intend camping until next year or booking far in advance it may be better to join next year. Either way the membership is still for 12 months from joining and cheaper if paying by direct debit.
------------- Mavis
It is easier to smile than frown so share a smile every day
Thank you Mavis, that sounds a good idea to be able to book in advance because i work in a school so booking half term dates would be good booked in advance. Plus I wouldn't mind having a look at all there sites and reading reviews before the time I plan to go. Any suggestions of sites would be greatfuly accepted though, thanks
for the money you get 6 magazines worth about £ 8 A SITE BOOK £4 .discounts on car insurance . car brakedown cover , i will rejoin soon , as we are setting up our tent for next year ,,,glyn ,
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 caravaning club
