I'm not with the CCC, but with CAMC, as a caravaner, but both clubs are flip sides of the same coin to all intents and purposes, although CCC far more tent friendly, but both offering much the same to members.
What you get out of either club, and whether membership is deemed worthwhile is TOTALLY dependant on what aspects of the club you make use of! I use club sites, club CLs (5 pitch sites only open to members), club insurance, club storage yard, club breakdown cover, some members offers (although they can often be bettered on the open market!). In all my membership fee is more than covered by discounts and benefits, so for me, VERY worthwhile.
You can't take for granted though that club sites are the best pitch price to be found in any given area, private sites can and do often work out better value, but equally I regularly use a couple of club sites that are WAY cheaper AND more conveniently situated than nearest private sites! You still need to do a little homework and not ASSUME club is best!
As to camp sites, what you can be pretty assured of is the standard of all sites. The clubs have their set minimal standard. They are generally kept to and operate to a very high standard. Where they sometimes fall down is with the wardens on duty, they do limited stints on any given site, then move on to another site for a stint there. Most are really good, but occasionally you find ones who are 'minimalist' in their efforts and maybe not be as friendly as others. If you read a review that is not complementary about the wardens, chances are they no longer work at that site, so your stay there could be a very different experience. On a private site, a bad warden/manager may stay for many years!
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
What Monty15 says about the standard of C&CC sites is certainly true of all the ones we've been on. Not seen a bad one yet. That isn't to say though that commercial ones aren't as good if not better. Some are, some aren't, it pays to do your homework and this is a good place to start.
I can't speak for CAMC sites as we are not members, but as a general feeling I get the impression that they are not keen on tents, and they are much more regimented. Sticklers for precise positioning of caravans, which goes against the grain for me. I like "random pitches", where you can pitch any way round you like as long as no part of your unit goes outside the boundary of the pitch. On sites like that the pitches tend to be huge anyway. Not sure CAMC have a "seniors discount" either, which the C&CC does.
Quote: Originally posted by Virsec on 01/10/2024
Thank you one and all for your comments. Very interesting reading. We will try it for a year and see how it goes.
Mostly tent camping next year and then hopefully getting a micro camper around September.
When you do join, maybe try to get to one of all the various things they offer - Club Sites (usually good quality and in great locations but as has been said can be expensive especially in high season), Certificated Sites (CSs, usually cheaper, mostly with only 5 pitches and tend to be remote), Club Rallys aka Social Camping (sometimes with no toilet facilities so watch out for that if you're tenting, these are very cheap gatherings of club members at locations that usually aren't camp sites eg schools or sports pitches, etc and can have organised activities).
You might find you unexpectedly like one of these, some people go to nothing but CSs for example and so the years membership is worth it for that alone.
They also do insurance, deals on ferry crossings and booking sites in EU countries so that might also be of interest at some point
There are plenty of CLs (caravan club) which are not at all remote. We are now at a CL a couple of miles from Oswestry, previously near Brewood and Lutterworth. We always try to stay at sites with shops reasonably nearby.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
We are members of both clubs and we use a mixture of Club sites, CLs / CSs and private sites. Private sites can be more expensive for us as we have 2 dogs which are free on Club Sites and CL/CSs but are often charged for on other sites (same with awnings). We also insure our caravan through the CMC club (have previously insured cars/units through C&CC too) and use their insurance for travelling abroad. Incidentally, because we've been members of the C&CC for over 30 years we now get half-price membership.
Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 01/10/2024
I like "random pitches", where you can pitch any way round you like as long as no part of your unit goes outside the boundary of the pitch. On sites like that the pitches tend to be huge anyway.
Indeed. One of our favourite sites is Drumroamin (in Galloway). The pitches are 10x10m and the owner says: “pitch any way you like except on your roof”. We go at an angle to face the sunset. It helps to have an owner who is a compulsive cleaner - I’ve never known such spotless toilets & showers, cleaned several times a day & last thing at night; she nips in when nobody is there, so it’s never actually closed for cleaning - I hate the CCC closing toilets & showers 10-12, so there’s always a queue before departure - especially so at the last site (which shall be nameless) where the Managers had locked about a quarter of the showers, presumably to reduce cleaning. Empty cubicles & a queue….
Quote: Originally posted by arthurdent on 02/10/2024
Quote: Originally posted by Virsec on 01/10/2024
Thank you one and all for your comments. Very interesting reading. We will try it for a year and see how it goes.
Mostly tent camping next year and then hopefully getting a micro camper around September.
When you do join, maybe try to get to one of all the various things they offer - Club Sites (usually good quality and in great locations but as has been said can be expensive especially in high season), Certificated Sites (CSs, usually cheaper, mostly with only 5 pitches and tend to be remote), Club Rallys aka Social Camping (sometimes with no toilet facilities so watch out for that if you're tenting, these are very cheap gatherings of club members at locations that usually aren't camp sites eg schools or sports pitches, etc and can have organised activities).
You might find you unexpectedly like one of these, some people go to nothing but CSs for example and so the years membership is worth it for that alone.
They also do insurance, deals on ferry crossings and booking sites in EU countries so that might also be of interest at some point
Thanks Arthur, very good advice.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
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: Camping and Caravanning Club
via mobile 02/10/2024 at 10:07am
