Ross Park is a very good site indeed and I wouldn't knock it at all but different people look for different things. Not sure how we can have an overall winner.
Ross Park looks beautiful, but not wild enough for us, I'm afraid. Less is more in our family... and that includes price. Crikey, thirty-five quid a night for a family of four?! <:-O)))
£28.50 a night just for the pitch!!?? You've got to be kidding! Doesn't even have a pool! Love that the Skye site is there.
How do they judge a site? Do they visit every site in the country?
We stayed at Ross Park in September, it was fantastic. Yeah the prices are expensive but if it's your 'thing' I think you get what you pay for. As it happened, it was the only holiday we had last year in the caravan so we didnt mind paying more than we normally would. Think I would go back, but want a tent (caravan belongs to mum) and trying to talk OH into it!!! Until then we are going nowhere, plus we have a lot of weddings to go to this year, in prime holiday time!
They visit the parks that sign up for the AA grading, the pennant system is on the facilities on the park and you also receive a % score on standards of facilities.
We are a 4 pennant park as we do not have any toilet cubicles with sinks in, but we have a score of 85% which is highest in our area (including St Helens, winner of North East Caravan Park of the Year).
I dont think its the best system as there are other parks in our area who have 5 pennants but scores of 70%. So they have the facilities, but they arent in a very good condition. The problem is that everyone advertises the pennants i.e. 4 or 5 but not the score, it doesnt really give the whole picture of the park.
Congratulations to Ross Park who have 5 pennants and 96% so well deserved!!
I think it is time we got back to camping as it should be...a cheap holiday for those who can't afford the luxury of hotels and foreign packages, or simply want a holiday with a difference in the countryside.
If they did away with all these awards and issues about conservation etc; etc; etc; and just had campsites with clean and sufficient washing and toilet facilities without going overboard or trying to compete with the campsite down the road we would all be much better off!
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
...but Bob61 there are are parks just like that. There are also plenty of people who can afford to go abroad but choose to stay in our country. They want the best facilities possible, i cannot see the problem with something for everyone.
The problem with the parks that you like is that as they do not charge much, they cannot afford to invest in websites and marketing and as such are much harder to find.
As for your complaints about improving to be better than the competition, is that not in every business??
Interesting that those not keen on the awards or the campsite chosen seem to be tenters. If the C&CC figures recently published are correct tenters only make up 25% of the pitches booked on C&CC sites. If that followed through to the commercial sector then its pretty obvious that a site like Ross Park would win as the majority voting would be caravanners/morothomers? An ex colleague has a seasonal pitche there and she loves it.
I think the fact that fewer tenters than caravanners use C&CC sites speaks for itself. I would suggest it has more to do with the quality of tent pitches on C&CC sites or the fact that more pitches on C&CC sites are provided for wheeled units rather than tents. What the C&CC does or doesn't do has no bearing on general campsites.
The point I am trying to make, Jasmin Park, is that many campsites think that by gaining stars and points and awards they are going to make more money, otherwise what is the point. To gain points, stars, and awards they have to spend money on creating campsites which then become holiday parks...a Butlins with tents. They even call them parks, Jasmin
Whatever it costs them has to be passed down to the camper so the tariffs become more and more expensive. They also feel that having gained awards they are somehow better than all the rest and therefore have no qualms about charging high fees.
Yes you are right. There are plenty of sites that manage to keep their prices down and still have decent facilities. It is also right that there should be choice and if people want to pay high prices they should be free to do so. My annoyance is having to pay high prices on sites which aren't a Butlins with tents because they are striving to keep up with the higher priced sites or become one.
Yes, this does happen in all business. That's why we no longer have corner shops and the big supermarkets have taken over.
Just comming up to 40 years caravanning and been on many sites including the winning site, but it is no better than a lot of others which are not as expensive.
Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 06/2/2012
Interesting that those not keen on the awards or the campsite chosen seem to be tenters. If the C&CC figures recently published are correct tenters only make up 25% of the pitches booked on C&CC sites. If that followed through to the commercial sector then its pretty obvious that a site like Ross Park would win as the majority voting would be caravanners/morothomers? An ex colleague has a seasonal pitche there and she loves it.
David
What has the membership of the C&CC got to do with the AA camping awards?
Most campers dont have membership as it caters more for caravan/motorhome owners
So your logic is that if 25% are tenters on C&CC sites, they must also be on all other non C&CC sites?
I think you'll find the more scenic, get away from it all, non ehu, no chemical cesspits and back to nature sites are largely campers
These are the type of site awards that would be of interest.
But in retrospect perhaps not, as advertising resulting in over populating of them in the busy months, leading to price increases would destroy them anyway
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: AA names Campsites of the Year 2012
