We used our first ever CL at the weekend and I have to say it was a very positive experience and we enjoyed ourselves very much, but it wasn’t quite like we were expecting so I thought I would ask you regular CL users some questions.
Firstly, we imagined CLs as being spacious with lots of room to spread out so that you are further away from your neighbour than you would be on a standard campsite. On the site we visited, the whole area of the CL was quite large, but the owner only allowed you to pitch at one end so the 5 pitches (3 on one side and 2 opposite) were very close together. Luckily this time there was no one on the pitch beside us so it was fine but if all 3 pitches on our side had been in use, it would have been more cramped than a standard campsite. The reason seemed to be that the rest of the site is like a beautifully manicured garden, with a lawn like a bowling green etc and the owner wanted to keep caravans and Motorhomes off it. He allowed one small campervan to pitch further down on the manicured bit which was why the pitch beside us was thankfully left free. Visitors were welcome to walk on the whole site and sit in the manicured bit, but the vans were cramped together at the other end on long grass. So, my question is, are CLs usually more spacious than standard sites or is it usual for there to be a larger area but caravans confined to a smaller section?
Secondly, we were surprised that the CL was part of a much larger complex which consisted of a B&B, several holiday cottages and another much larger field for tents which was quite busy when we were there at the weekend. It wasn’t noisy but there was certainly quite a lot of people about. So my question is, is it usual for CLs to have another campsite beside the CL. We have searched and searched online and can’t find any mention of this other campsite. We knew about the B&B and cottages as they were mentioned on the website but the full extent of the site surprised us.
None of this is a criticism and we had a lovely weekend and things worked out well for our first CL visit but it definitely wasn’t what we had in our head about what a CL is like.
------------- Pixie
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was this definately with caravan club (cl) or was it with the c &cc (cs)?
the caravan club dont have tents on cl's but what you have described is not the norm for them, we use cls a lot. ok the pitches are generally defined by where they have put the ehu posts, perhaps a little more investigation needs to be done before booking using the likes of google maps etc
We use CL's regularly and find they come in all shapes and sizes.
Have stayed on many where there is CL attached to a larger site. We have often turned up expecting just 5 vans to find a larger site, marina, air BnB and even on a couple of sites a CS attached. I wouldn't say it's the norm but does happen more often.
We stayed a weekend on a site recently (in Trofarth) and they had a CL and a further 6 pitches, all together, sharing same facilities. You only knew you were on a CL pitch by the marker.
At Overwater Marina they have a beautiful CL which has a full caravan park on same site - just a hedge between them.
Kings Orchard in Lichfield has a 5 CL with a 23 pitch in same site .
Bryn Hyfryd CL on Anglesey has a 10 pitch site attached.
That's just a few examples from sites we have been on this year, there are plenty around with more pitches on the site
I think on farm type CL's our experience is more room between pitches. When it's on a plot of a large garden it's often less room.
For us the term CL always has us thinking small and peaceful but there are so many variations out there we are still often very surprised.
Post last edited on 16/08/2022 08:45:25
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As Dot above said, they come in all shapes and sizes. I usually do all the booking and always have a look at reviews as well as Google Earth. Again, like Dot above, we've stayed at Overwater Marina, a few years ago now; a lovely CL and also a separate site, but this didn't detract from the CL at all, there was plenty of space. I think a lot of CL owners are diversifying and adding other accommodation, such as bell tents, glamping pods etc.
Usually, on the CAMC website, the size of the CL is given on the relvant page; ie 0.5 acres or 1 acre, I usually check that too; most have photos which are helpful, although of course some are very flattering where space is concerned, if they don't actually show any outfits on the CL! We normally look for adult only sites in summer and school holidays, as we take our cat with us. She doesn't go out on her own, but does like to go for a walk on her lead and so we would prefer not to have children running about, possibly scaring her; but that's just our reason for that.
On the whole, our experience has been of mostly spacious sites with plenty of space between pitches, but have experienced the odd one with less than we would have liked. In answer to your question: no, IMHO it isn't usual for a CL to have a campsite adjacent to it, but some campsites do have their own separate CL.
Keep looking and trying them out, as with the main sites, they vary and some are invariably better than others.
There’s a farm near Dumfries with a CL in one garden/ field & a CS in the other. They have different names; one is listed & reviewed in UKCS, the other is not; they have different (simple) websites.
Same beautiful views though, & they share the immaculate facilities.
There’s as much variety between CLs (and CSs) as there is between bigger independent sites.
I've witnessed and/or used a number of privately owned campsites, that appeared to have what I have always assumed a separate CL/CS type set up adjacent.
Such an area is usually accompanied by a club sign, and the phrase "For Members only" is usually on show.
Often within earshot of the main ("Open to the public") campsite, and occasionally with only an 8ft hedge separating them.
I'd venture to say (rightly or wrongly) that they don't all have their own exclusive facilities either, although access to the main site facilities is of course usually (always?) available.
Not sure that there is any such thing as a 'normal' CL, they vary so widely, and that in many respects is the charm of many of them.
Beyond the minimum fire reg distance between units, anything goes as to distance, but it's often dictated by the infrastructure such as EHU points, water points etc., obviously cheaper for site owner to concentrate them rather than spread widely, so pitch spacing may be related to services! But I've certainly used ones where they are very widely spaced, I'm talking 100yds!
Undoubtedly most CLs are the only camp site on the land, but B and B rooms 'in the farmhouse' are not uncommon, that can be a great bonus if you have non-camping friends/relatives who want to share at least part of your holiday.
There certainly are a few CLs that are tacked on the side of larger commercial camp sites, and I suspect the division between is not always what CAMC would desire!
Never come across a really bad CL, I suspect the initial CAMC check pre-acceptance, and occasional inspections/members complaints keep that in order, one of the benefits of the clubs is that standards can generally be relied upon to be good.
Quite common for 'rules' to be minimal on a CL, pitch where you like, anyway round you like being common, especially if some/all pitches without services and space allows.
As to vehicles (be it cars, caravans, MHs) being confined to a small area of a larger field, that can sometimes be for practical reasons like the ground gets water logged when it rains so is not suitable for driving over, unlike a full blown campsite, most CLs have very little groundwork done, so no subsoil drainage installed to make all season and the like.
CLs are perhaps my favourite sites, often little gems that slip under the radar of those that aren't prepared to do a little research and work for themselves, often you find the details on the main CAMC site a little sparse, so you need to supplement it with your own efforts, and what cracking sites some of them are when you gather the info.
On the subject of gathering info, really worth doing some research on access (Google streetview/satellite), some are down some awkward country lanes with tricky tight entrances, that might prove challenging for bigger outfits and/or nervous/less skilled drivers!
We have only ever stayed at one unacceptable CL and that was in 2010. It was closed soon after. Now I use Google maps and Street view, but quite often there are no units to be seen.
I always use Google Earth to check out anywhere we go with the caravan. I got into the habit when I used to drive old London buses for wedding hires etc as you have to be aware of low bridges, low trees, and weight/width resrictions, some of which could apply to a caravan or motorhome.
As for CLs, I have no experience but I have stayed on a few CSs, and all the ones we have used so far have been great. As others have said they vary as much as larger sites, but in the main they have all allowed pitching any way round, which is what we like, and most have had very large pitches.
------------- Best Regards,
Colin
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Thanks for all the comments everyone. It’s really interesting to hear other people’s experiences. It is interesting that Overwater Marina was mentioned by a few of you as that is one I have flagged for future consideration as it’s in the 1 hour radius from home that I am looking for for short trips.
Not sure if Market Drayton is too far? There is a lovely CL, White House Farm, at Loggerheads (on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border, not the one in North Wales).
Thanks Mrs Bonce, I’ll check it out. We usually go a couple of hours from home but by doing that we have missed some great places a bit closer to home which is why I am looking within an hours drive of Liverpool. However, we are always happy to travel a bit further for a good site.
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: Questions for regular CL users
via mobile 16/8/2022 at 8:38am
