Wow, you are a wealth of good information. Thanks. It does seem that becoming a member could be worthwhile. I've always had it it my head that member sites would be very regimented and not my cup of tea at all but, to be perfectly honest, I have no idea what I based this theory on and, looking at your suggestions, I see I am quite misguided. Time to sign up, I think.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
I have not encountered significant increase in prices.
Yes it costs more now than back in 2009 when I started to go camping on my own with the dog, however, so does everything else, IMHO.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Our little band of rally marshals are now finding it cheaper to go for short breaks in statics/chalets for some events than to camp on some areas. So far this year been out on seven events and only once used the tent at the beginning of the month (came back with soaking tent and as it's a pop-up it's now lurking in the lounge diner waiting to trap you every time you pass!).If you get deals like £280 for a static/chalet that sleeps six for three nights, that's cheaper than most sites, even when only four occupy it.
Don't get me wrong - still enjoy camping but home circumstances at the moment mean I can only get a couple of nights max which, with having to prepare meals and get extra help in to look after Mum, makes it one huge hassle. B&B is not an option - single rooms are as rare as hen's teeth and as a solo, one invariably pays (maybe with a small discount) the same for a twin room. I'm delighted to hear that more places are giving solos more consideration, though again, it hurts families more. One of the reasons I originally joined the C&CC was the pitch and per person.
As a member of a family that did run a site, I'm very much aware of the costs that campers of all types don't see. Many of these have got much worse with the charges Councils make for recycling for example (how many reviews mention lack of recycling as a downside but don't take the trouble to find out whether there's actually any provision for recycling by the relevant Council? Also campers - term used to include all units - also demand more and more facilities (often state of the art)and site owners will lose out if they don't put them, so costs go up and that's got to be passed on in pitch, etc., prices.
What is really annoying is that most of the improvements nowadays seem to go to EHU, hard-standings, etc. and one can turn up in a small tent as a solo and be charged a percentage of those costs for a muddy grass pitch.
My sincere apologies to the OP for this rant, but it was in response to the rising prices headline.
------------- " When I die I don`t want my life to flash before me in an instant, I want it to be a 3 hour epic !"
I've got a small piece of land that I mow and bale for hay which I sell, input is minimal and income is limited. I looked into converting to a campsite, I would need to improve access which would mean buying stone and construction cost, installing waste disposal, septic tank and drainage or cesspit and emptying cost, I would have to have public liability insurance, rubbish disposal, now classed as business not domestic.Water supply, now business not domestic. To attract more punters and get a better income installing electric, again now business, increase the season and generate more income provide hard standings. So lots of capital investment and no guarantee any campers will turn up and when they do they go home and moan about the price for the pitch. No thanks I will carry on selling my hay.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
C&CC club sites may have too many rules for some people's liking.
However, having been to one camp site where peeps were allowed to break up wooden pallets to burn on a camp fire and had a rowdy party till the small hours in the morning without any intervention from the staff who were supposed to be on site 24/7 (it was a holiday park with statics), I would rather stay at sites where pitch boundaries are defined, with a noise curfew, and wardens that do not shy away from their duties and responsibilities.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
There is a world of difference between member sites and CLs/CSs. For a start, you don't get wardens, but owners, who may or may not live on site. The sites vary considerably, some are great, a few are terrible! I have listed some of the better ones we have been to, with at least a loo, but there are many more.
There is no regimentation, as the sites are small, sometimes as small as 1/4 of an acre, but typically 1/2 to 1 acre. Sometimes you don't see the owners at all and have to post the money through their letterbox, or there may be an honesty box. Take your chequebook or cash, they don't usually accept cards.
Phil Ness, have u looked into having storage of caravans on your piece of land, ours is kept on large piece of land behind a house, we have no electric and just a cold water standpipe, he charges £5 week and has at least 25-30 vans being kept there. Is this an easier option or does it still come with an outlay?
------------- "Close your eyes and pretend it's all a dream, that's how I get by"
DEB
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Phil Ness. I know what you mean. When I looked into it it was all pretty daunting unless one purchased an existing site. The caravan storage sounds like something to investigate though- far lower income but minimal outlay. Possibly better than letting it lie fallow.
Well I have just got back from Scotland with prices ranging from Kendal THS £6.50 a night. Carlisle CS £10 a night (with EHU and shower) Oban THS £7.50 a night And finally another CS at Carlisle £16 a night a tad expensive in my opinion but it did have showers and EHU which were kept immaculate
I'd still have to improve access. We live at the end of a stone track, no problem for 4x4's but seeing the ride height of some of the car/van combinations out there they would be catching the middle of the track and leaving their exhausts behind! I'm pretty sure the local council would after a planning application too!
When I go anywhere I usually keep a log of the date, site, price, distance etc (bit sad yes I know but handy to refer to for info at the end of the year and beyond) I average it out over how many nights.
Staying on a variety of club sites, C.ls, private sites etc.
2006.... £13.72 per night
07.... £14.61
08.... £14.53
09.... £15.58
10.... £15.14
11.... £14.70
12.... £18.97
13.... £21.71
14.... £22.65 so far this year
I guess looking at that the rise is what you would expect
Yes Bob this year will have stayed on 3 club sites so far two of them over bank holidays, one for 9 days and 1 for 5 days so that bumps it up, not many cheap C.Ls in the last couple of years.
Quote: Originally posted by ficklejade on 12/8/2014
What is really annoying is that most of the improvements nowadays seem to go to EHU, hard-standings, etc. and one can turn up in a small tent as a solo and be charged a percentage of those costs for a muddy grass pitch
So true. I have a bee in my bonnet about pitches being levelled for MHs and caravans (which can be levelled themselves, up to a point) and canvas campers are left to sleep on the slopes!
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: Rising prices
