This weekend we went to a super, small site, 40 mins from home, a small field, surrounded by horses and sheep on one side and woods on the other, with a stand pipe a loo, a fire pit for each pitch and best bit - no one else there for the whole 3 nights (maybe cos because it was too blooming cold!)
Husband me toddler and the dog had a super time! Sunday was lovely weather (after the frost melted!!) I sat in the sun reading with The Archers omnibus (quietly) on the wind up radio while husband taught 2yo son how to play fetch with the dog....... we foraged for wood for the campfire and our little one had toasted marshmallows for the first time! know I sound like an old hippy but it really was idyllic!!!
The site was a certified or certificated Camping and Caravanning Club site and was a bargain at just SIX POUNDS for the night.......... when I called the owner she wasn't too bothered whether we were members or not, but did give us a leaflet on joining we're definitely thinking of joining but would probably only go to the small sites, I much prefer sites that are basic and small and quiet and relaxed to large sites with lots of facilities......
so my question is - is it worth us joining the club, as I know certified sites are meant to just be for members.............. or do most site owners not mind if you're members or not? I know not all site will be entirely deserted nor will they all allow fires but are most certified site v small and basic....... and extraordinarily cheap?
Post last edited on 08/05/2012 22:00:28
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It's likely to be a breach of the site's planning consent to allow non members so it's not something to be encouraged. The dispensation for the two clubs to run these sites is of huge value to small site owners and to those of us that use the sites and I'd hate to think that some might put this at risk just to avoid stumping up for membership.
We have pro-actively shown our membership cards at every CS we've been to even if we're not asked. I don't ever want to put a site owner in the position of having to decide whether to turn us away or to put their licence at risk.
We find that the low facility CS's have few tent campers so they are often quiet.
Not all CSs are so basic & cheap but there are many that are.
Many are also very strict on seeing membership cards, although some are very laid back about it.
However, these sites are supposed to be strictly members only and not only is the site risking contravening planning consent there is also the concern that should anything untoward happen you would not be covered.
As Piglet says, please consider joining the Club or find other sites.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Thats why we joined....for sites like you have discovered. Now only use this type and much prefer them...quiet, small and on the whole very friendly!
------------- 2026
Various weekends, weather and time permitting
April - Yorkshire and Yorkshire
June - Wiltshire and Oxfordshire
Autumn - North and Scotland
oh gosh..... had no idea that it may get the owner in trouble, would hate that as she's was super (even called us on Sunday after a very cold night to check we'd survived and needed extra blankets or any thing - bless her!)
So, more generally......... do CS's tend to very quiet? and how about the only 5 van pitches thing? do they usually allow tents too on top of that, think I read that there's 5 van pitches then 10 tent pitches too........have I got that right?
We tend to use these smaller sites more than club or commercial ones although we are members of both C&CC and CC.
Generally we have found that the smaller sites, while complyimg with Club Rules with regard to how many caravans/motorhoimes/FC's that they have on them, do not tend to be too bothered about tent pitches. Indeed some have desigmated areas for tents that the site owners do not consider come under Club Afiliation Regulations.
we went on a cs site in derbyshire as members of the c at cc club, the owner said he let anyone on and just gave them the c at cc club leaflet if they wanted to join, he said that is what the c at cc club told him to do. J x
Stick to the C&CC CSs - the equivalent sites in the Caravan Club (Certificated Locations) don't take tents because the Caravan Club isn't designed for tent owners, whereas the Camping and Caravaning Club is. When (if?) you do join the C&CC look out for the "Hideaway" sites - these are particularly quiet CSs.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Quote: Originally posted by evenstephen on 09/5/2012
Stick to the C&CC CSs - the equivalent sites in the Caravan Club (Certificated Locations) don't take tents because the Caravan Club isn't designed for tent owners, whereas the Camping and Caravaning Club is. When (if?) you do join the C&CC look out for the "Hideaway" sites - these are particularly quiet CSs.
Agree that C&CC CS's are probably the ones for you, but you will also find CC CL's that are happy to take tents.
Quote: Originally posted by CW52 on 09/5/2012
Im not a member of anything and I go to a few sites just like that in North East. Just privately owned. Where was that site anyway
was in north yorkshire, guess i shouln't say where just in case owner would be in trouble or anything............
whch where in the north east CW52?? we're in Harrogate so north east ish1 :o)
We love certified sites too and usually pay somewhere around £10-£12 a night with EHU. They tend to be quieter and they arent too fussed if you want to take a kitchen tent or whatever. We dont always get asked for our cards or membership number but happily pay the annual fee because its worth it in the long run.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Are all certified sites like this???
