We use them all the time. But as Jennifer says, they do vary. Some are equal to CC sites, others are no more than a field. The sites directory gives basic details of facilities, such as EHU, toilet etc. We tend to check out other sites in an area while we are visiting, just to see what we may have missed. Also look in the club magazine as you will find reviews. We have found that newer CL's tend to be better than older sites. Some even have fully services pitches. Many are hardstanding. But the biggest difference is the price. Average for us seems to be £8-10 per night inc awning and dog. The only drawback is that good CL's tend to be very popular and therfore hard to book. But there are lots to choose from. Give them a try.
Try searching for '' as these tend to be CLs to the best sites.
If you have a loo and shower in your van then you only really need an electric hookup to be comfortable and warm, even in the depths of winter.
Recently we stayed on a CL with landscaped grounds and full hardstandings (£8.50) and then this weekend on a site on the edge of Dartmoor with a stunning view (£7). Most allow dogs and for no extra charge and many have footpaths very close or even use of another field for exercise.
What you can find is that they may be down narrow lanes, but make sure you follow their directions and you will be fine. But the plus side to this is that you will not be listening to traffic noise, just the sounds of the countryside.
CLs are much less regimented than some campsites can be and with only 4 other vans (maximum) on the site I find that they are a much more relaxing, laid back place to spend time.
In recent years we have only stayed at one CL which had a lovely riverside setting in Norfolk. We keep saying we should try more. What we had thought of doing was keeping the reviews they do in the CC Mag for future reference.
We have been using CL sites for the last few years and think they are fab value for money. If you look on the CL pages of the CC website you will find that quite a few CL sites have there own webpages. Our favourite up to now is Red House estate just outside of York which has an out door swimming pool! We have just spent 3 nights at a lovely CL near Conwy called Bron Derw.
We have only started using CLs this year and have been very impressed, whenever we have stayed at normal sites this year we have had a look round in the book around the area and drove round to have a look to see what we think of them and circled them in the book for future reference as ones to go back to. Will definitely do more of them next year
------------- Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
I agree with posts saying the variation found with CLs make very nice experiences. Same goes for Camping & Caravanning Club Certified Sites. (CSs)
I always have an alternative site in mind. So that in the unlikely event that a CL/CS does not match up to your tastes/needs, you can always not check in or at worst leave in the morning and little or nothing will be lost.
May I suggest doing a search on the Caravan Club/Camping & Caravanning Club website, finding a CL/CS, then looking it up on UKCS campsite search as it will often be listed & reviewed.
We use them a lot (only need ehu) and most are fine. Very impressed with Sutton Hall Gardens near Chesterfield (waiting to add a review once the site is added). We have found some are not so good in wet weather, muddy/potholed farm lanes, and a site near Penrith (very good otherwise) was very wet and muddy underfoot (although described as lawned) and had no CWD that we could find, and we couldn't find the owner either, had to post money through the letter box! Can't knock it for £7 per night though.
Anne
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
We use them and find they nice and quite and friendly we have booked one in wales and one in lincs for next year allready also we use one in guilford when we visit our grandson but that one does not have ehu but it is lovely for the weekend.
We have used CLs for many years all over the country. They vary from a field with water and waste disposal and one that is landscaped with hardstandings and mains hookups.
They are quite often in lovely parts of the countryside and are a wee bit more relaxed than club sites.
Jan
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: CL`S
