It was a frustrating experience this morning for sure. Not had it like that for 2 or 3 years. Very sorry you've not got the sites you wanted though, mine at least look to have been confirmed.
Seemed to be mixed reactions, some had major problems others succeeded. Some even gave up the internet and phoned. I did not add to the issue as I am not sure what we are doing next year with regard UK sites and tend only to book a few weeks before.
I feel your pain! First experience of the frenzied booking day madness for me and not impressed at all. Took time off work this morning as I wanted to book for the tour de France. Booked the site several times but it wouldn't complete the booking. Also on the phone on redial from 9am and didn't get through until after 10. By which point all the Yorkshire sites were booked up. Feeling very frustrated!
I've just been looking at the availability on random sites and apart from the most popular sites, York, Chatsworth etc there is stacks of space even at the most popular times of Bank Holidays. Sites for big venue dates, Tour de France, Henley etc are full. So it seems as though the system could have been overloaded by the amount people wanting to book onto those sights.
harryb
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
I didnt bother going onto the site until very late last night, and after last seasons experiances of staying on the clubs sites, all but one of our bookings will be on mainly CLs with one commercial site booking and just a two night stop off on a CC site enroute back home from a Month on a Norfolk CL.
When we first returned to caravanning just over 5 years ago, over 90% of our nights away were spent on CC sites. Now, due to their rising prices and the unfriendly 'jobsworth' attitudes shown towards us on recent visits, that figure has now dropped to around 2% for next season.
The clubs recent changes of rules and army camp type mentality, whilst some of their wardens believe that its ok to get a job done as quickly as possible, even if that does mean driving the mower over a gravel pitch, and spraying loose chippings up the side of a caravan , with blatent disregard to any damage they may have caused, is a fine example of why members are abandoning the clubs sites in favour of other campsite establishments who have a better attitude and levels of customer care.
Up to now we have booked 14 nights on a favourite commercial site, and a total of 56 nights on CLs for next season, with probably about another 14 nights to follow, our Daughter will be moving in with us from next March, so we wont have to worry so much about the day to day running of the house whilst we are away, she will cut the grass for us and sort out any bills that need paying whilst we are away, which leaves us to enjoy our hobby even more.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
We only use Club sites once in a blue moon, usually for something like a wedding if it's the only site in the vicinity. This year was all CLs/CSs and ACSI in France, also away to a CL for Christmas/New Year. I never bother booking up way in advance unless for Bank Holidays (Easter booked already).
I have just looked now to go to Baltic Wharf and every weekend is full next year until around sept But there are spaces from say monday till thursday/friday
But for us its too far to go only for a few days....
OH is retiring next year so it will be mainly CLs for us. We stayed on one near Tenby in September and it was as good as many of the CC sites and half the price.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Quote: Originally posted by geoff+emmy on 05/12/2013
I have just looked now to go to Baltic Wharf and every weekend is full next year until around sept But there are spaces from say monday till thursday/friday
But for us its too far to go only for a few days....
Managed to get a few days mid week at Baltic Whalf this year. Its a great place to visit and i'd reccomend it, I then moved on to Bath marina (not CC) as part of my trip to make the distance worth while.
There are plenty of places in the Cotswolds worth a visit or even some where part way back that would make it a longer trip.
I booked the Barnard Castle CC site for the Mayday break on the 4th and have just checked "My bookings" on the website and its not showing so have had to rebook, luckily with no problems this time. Would advise checking to see if you're booked in.
Jim
------------- Easter-York caravan park
May CC Teasdale
Whit -Fields End Water
Summer-France
I feel your pain! First experience of the frenzied booking day madness for me and not impressed at all. Took time off work this morning as I wanted to book for the tour de France. Booked the site several times but it wouldn't complete the booking. Also on the phone on redial from 9am and didn't get through until after 10. By which point all the Yorkshire sites were booked up. Feeling very frustrated!
Nikki
I'm posting this on here, as well as on several other parts of the forum, to notify people that Broughton Hall near Skipton (where I work) is to host an event over the Tour de France weekend which has space for 15,000 campers (not sure whether that's just tents or campers/caravans too). Obviously not a 'real' campsite,but they do host major festivals with apparently good facilities (my sons have been). And for a small fee I could perhaps be persuaded to give access to our shower/toilet/cooking facilities.
I've just had details in the Broughton Hall Christmas newsletter, and these are copied from the article:
Plans are underway for next year’s Tour de France extravaganza to be held at Broughton, aptly named “The Rapha Tempest Festival of Cycling” which will see the Estate host 15,000 campers looking to celebrate the Grande Depart in Yorkshire. If you fancy coming along then please call Mike at the Estate Office on 01756 799608.
I had the same problem. I'm self employed. I took the morning off and thought I had successfully booked my 3 sites on the dates that I needed.
I too checked later. They hadn't booked. I'm getting to the point of being sick of the club. Been a member for over 20 years. This booking is becoming too much hassle.
Never bothered this year like a lot of people we will be using commercial sites and C.L sites, C.C site are just too expensive, when we are away in the van we are looking around the area not sitting in the site all day so can't justify the prices.
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: Caravan Club-- Aghhhh!
I could perhaps be persuaded to give access to our shower/toilet/cooking facilities.
