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Hi

My brother, who has decided he now wants be a biker at the tender age of 58, has a weekend booked at a campsite in the New Forest in the middle of June, and asked if we would like to join him. We have a van and I insist open little luxuries like electricity and toilets so we made enquires about finding a site nearby.

My wife found a flyer that we'd picked up last year (dated 2006) whilst in the New Forest, listing all the Forestry Commission sites, and we liked the sound of Holmsley, which is the only FC site that has showers, toilets and electric hookups. The price in this flyer (2006 remember) was, for a party of four in June, Fri-Sat, with electric, £12.30 per night, which sounded excellent value. The flyer also states you can book for two nights, which is what we want. 

So I telephoned to check availability, and discovered that the prices shown in the 2006 flyer are now out of date. No surprise there. However, the price I was quoted, for a party of four with electric, is now £22.70 per night, an increase of 85%. And now you have to book for a minimum of three nights.

I spoke to Holmsley direct, and they informed me that this sorry state of affairs has come about as a result of the Camping & Caravanning Club now owning 50% of the FC sites. It seems to me that the CCC have whispered in the FC's ear, and this smacks of blatant profiteering. I appreciate that they may have been underpriced in 2006, but an increase of 85% in one year is appalling. I am a member of the CCC, but I have to admit this leaves a nasty taste in the mouth, and I am considering cancelling my membership.

I'd like to hear anybody else's views on the subject, or if you've had similar experiences of prices going through the roof following CCC involvement.