For the past year we have been members of the Caravan and Camping Club, we only joined as we wanted to go to a particular site and it make sense to join.
I'm not sure what the benefit is of either of them with regards to the sites. I know the benefits in regards to the insurance, breakdown etc and cheaper pitches than to the general public.
It would be great to get some feedback on which club any of you prefer and your reasons why, or any negative thoughts about the clubs.
Also we used to be in a tent, but this Easter we bought a caravan, and therefore have been holidaying more.
We have found plenty of excellent private sites that are cheaper than the club sites.
If there is a specific site or you want to use the CL / CS sites then I can understand joining, but I still haven't been convinced that either could offer us anything.
We are with C&CC as we qualify for the age concession and also for Arrival` breakdown.We do use about five club sites a year as well as private ones.People with children i believe you will find CC sites work out cheaper.We were with CC originally but prefer C&CC.
We are with both and have been for over thirty years.
They are much the same with small differences, a more major one being the CC unless forced by land owners, will not accept tents; shame there are some lovely people who use tents.
On balance the CC sites are more organised and "tidy" but exceptions break the rules.
The C&CC offers a much more free and easy rallying system; with the CC rally prebooking is required, to us during our working lives a complete non starter.
Given the massive investment in a caravan & suitable towcar, we take the view the cost of dual membership is well worth the cost for the greater options and locations that offers.
If we were on our financial uppers we would drop the CC first, but reluctantly.
We were members of the C&CC until this year, with an age concession, but left due to the new crazy pricing structure on their sites.
Probably going to join the CC because they have sites in better positions to visit the children.
I used to be a member of the C&CC and taking into consideration the annual membership fee and the number of times I used club sites it worked out more expensive than just using ordinary campsites. I wasn't too impressed with the state of the pitches at the sites I went to either. They would probably be ok for caravans but a bit rough for tents.
You really need to work out how many times you will be able to use a club site or a CS or CL and then add in the cost of membership to see if there is any financial benefit, bearing in mind there might not always be a club site available at the location you want to visit or they may be fully booked if you don't book very early.
The differences between the two clubs that I am aware of (there may well be others) is that the C&CC membership fee is slightly cheaper than the CC. Both clubs seem to be better set up for caravans rather than tents and in fact the CC rarely accept tents. I believe that if you have to cancel your booking at the last minute the CC may give you a credit for another time whereas the C&CC just pocket your deposit.
I am sure people must find advantages with joining one or both of clubs but for me I would sooner spend my money on private campsites which I feel are better value for money. Many private sites now do age concessions and solo concessions also.
We belonged to the CCC from our camping days. Last year was the first time we recouped our membership fee as we went on a rally £15 rather than £25 a night at our local CCC club site in oct halfterm.
We joined the CC last autumn when we bought our caravan. It's considerably cheaper for us to stay at the CC sandringham site rather than the CCC next door as we have kids. We've just done our first CC rally paying £29 rather than £51 for 2 nights at Kelling Heath.
We may rejoin the CCC to do some of their rallies. CC does feel more manicured which can be a positive or negative depending on personal preference. The main advantage for us with the CC is the no deposit, online booking system where you can change/cancel your stay up to 72hrs without being charged. With other commitments we've amended / cancelled some bookings but not lost any money.
------------- From tents to trailer tents to a tin tent to an air tent to trailer tent and back to tin tent!
The differences between the two clubs that I am aware of (there may well be others) is that the C&CC membership fee is slightly cheaper than the CC. Both clubs seem to be better set up for caravans rather than tents and in fact the CC rarely accept tents. I believe that if you have to cancel your booking at the last minute the CC may give you a credit for another time whereas the C&CC just pocket your deposit.
Ccc membership is £42 and CC membership is £44. About a third (60) of Cc sites accept tents and I believe that the system is being altered to allow booking for tents at those sites . If you cancel a Cc site you lose nothing as nothing has been charged, if you cancel within 3 days you get a warning letter if you do it three times in 12 months they contact you and unless you have very good reasons your future bookings are all cancelled and you get a suspension of your ability to book sites. ccc charge substantial deposits returnable if you cancel more than 28 days before going( please correct that if I am wrong ) otherwise the deposit is forfeit.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
If you apply to the C&CC online it is only £37 but if you apply 'on paper' it is £42. Both clubs charge £10 extra if you wish to pay by any other means than direct debit...I believe
Caravan Club (CC) has about 220 of it's own sites with about half open to members only and over 2500Cl's ( small 5 five van independant sites of variable standard licensed by the club for members only ) , the standard of it's sites is consistently high over the whole network, it provides every service that a caravanner could need and all the services are comparable with the best of service that you can find anywhere. When you arrive at a club site you book in and pay your fees, no deposits are taken so the whole fee is paid at this time, you are then given information about the site and are told to go go and have a look at the pitches available ( all empty pitches are available ) choose one, set up and then let the wardens know where you have gone. Should you decide for whtever reason that you need to leave before the date that you have paid till, you can inform the wardens that you are leaving and if you do this with 72 hours notice you will receive a refund of all fees for the days that you have paid for but will not be staying for. if you do not give notice you will be charged one nights fees unless you are moving on to another club site when the charge will be waived.
Camping and Caravanning Club (CCC) has about 110 sites of it's own a handful (6 at the last count ) of which are members only and a network of about 1500 CS's ( like CL's ), the standard of the sites over the whole network is of a more variable standard with the best sites comparing favourably with the CC sites. It also provides a full range of high quality services for the caravanner that are just as good as those provided by the CC. When you arrive at a club site you book in and pay the remainder of your fees ( a deposit will be taken when you book which if you cancel more than 28 days in advance you get back, within 28 days you lose ), the warden will decide where you are to pitch and will escort you to it and ensure that you have pitched precisely as he requires. Should you need to leave for any reason the fees that you have paid will be forfeit ( though in some circumstances by special request to head office giving circumstances and doctors notes be placed on account for you to use in the rest of the year )
I have been a member of the CC for 22 years and have never regretted it, I have been a member of the CCC on two occasion in the last four years and have on both occasions resigned it just did not suit me. I know of a lot of people who like and use the CCC so I would suggest that it is worthwhile joining both clubs and seeing which one suits your purpose best
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
We decided to join a club initially due to the high cost of commercial sites so we could get access to CS sites, and for the reduced price on camping in the forest sites as we wanted to stay in the new forest one year.
Now we have made a significant investment in a van we have become involved in the DA rallies scene as we want to get as much out of our investment as possible.
For us the C&CC has to be the choice as CC requires pre-booking for their rallies, which we don't want to do. Lets face it, if the weather is a total wash out you are probably better off at home for the weekend, so not having to book with the C&CC suits us much better. It also gives us the freedom to choose where we go a late as when we start the car.
I understand that the CC sites and rallies are much more regimented in their rules than the C&CC who are more relaxed, but having never been a CC member it is only on what I've heard from members and forums, but hearing was yet another reason we choose C&CC.
Quote: Originally posted by john&lynn on 18/6/2014
yes but apply online and pay £37.00 you dont get nothing posted to you including magazine or big site book etc ,all on line to read
We paid £37 and get the big book and magazines posted. Also can read online if I want
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: Caravan Club or Camping and Caravan Club?
