Just wondering what is the cheapest way to get away in a caravan?
Most sites seem to be a van+2. We then have to add 3 children, 2 dogs and an awning plus the ehu which admittedly we would use anyway regardless of how many people if we decided to add it.
A friend of mine told me she went away with her husband and 3 children last half term to a rally meet for 10 nights and it cost them 60 odd quid in total. Sounds like my kind of holiday!
So, is this the cheapest way to go away in the van or can anyone recommend any other sites etc which wouldn't cost too much? The whole idea behind us buying our old van was to save on expensive holidays and kennelling fees, am really looking for value for money!
We are in the Bolton area btw and would consider any sites within an hour/couple of hours travelling distance depending how long we were staying. We're not looking for fancy sites, as long as there is a shower block we'll be happy as there is no shower in our old lady, ewww. No need for clubs, pools etc although obviously with 3 little ones these would be a bonus!
Oh and I know we will more than likely need to join a club of some description!.... Which would be best?
When the van is ready to go we will be looking to sign up!
Was EHU available at your friend's site? (It may possibly have been if it was on the "rally field" of a commercial site, but may not be at other meets/rallies, so check the details carefully if you feel EHU is essential.)
Which Club is up to you, but I would mention that the District Associations and other groups in the Camping and Caravanning Club organise Temporary Holiday Sites as well as Meets which are very good value, and you can usually sign up on arrival at a THS.
You're asking a bit much £60 for a week with electric hook up and toilet block . But they do exist unfortunately most of the caravan club rallies you need to book on well in advance as they fill up pretty quick especially holiday rallies . The camping and caravan club you can often turn up without needing to book on first . For both clubs you will need to be a member first. We have rallied with the south lancs caravan club for a number of years but there aren't many sites with shower blocks / hook up . I can recommend lligwy bay on Anglesey in August it's a temp holiday site with camping and caravan club , there are showers but rather basic ( a porta shower units x 2) hook up is available but limited numbers at extra cost . Check the out and about feature in camping caravan club magazine or website .
Ha, I know, £60 is a bargain isn't it?! I don't know if they had EHU for that but I do know they have another trip organised, 2 + 3 kids, to Cornwall I think, that's £11 a night or £13 with electrickery. :)
I don't think the EHU is essential but as I said we would certainly need a shower!
Will take a look at sites/websites, thanks.
I've been to a few THS's (temporary holiday sites) with the C&CC club. Usually they are around £5-10 per unit, depending on facilities. Not sure if you pay extra for more people, as there are usually only two of us, or I'm on my own.
The last THS I went to was £5 per night per unit, but there was no EHU, no loos and showers, just a tap and a chemical waste disposal point, and rubbish skip.
Now, I found it easy to do without EHU. I have a loo tent with loo, which also doubles up as a shower room with one of these. The fridge works on gas, I cook on gas. The lights work from the leisure battery. The water is not on a 12v, but a small gravity fed lever hand pump. I have several other battery driven lights and a small tv which has a 3hr built in battery. I charge this and mobile phone in the car. It can be done!
I checked out the campsites in an area I want to go yesterday, after the 19th July, the prices go up a lot! I really feel sorry for people who can't holiday outside the school hols, it gets very expensive in high season.
The C&CC THSs are good value for money, and there are a few campsites around in Wales (farm sites) which don't charge an awful lot, like you say it's the add-ons and extra people charges, awning charge, dog charge that builds up the price.
Quote: Originally posted by Jax365 on 14/7/2013
I've been to a few THS's (temporary holiday sites) with the C&CC club. Usually they are around £5-10 per unit, depending on facilities. Not sure if you pay extra for more people, as there are usually only two of us, or I'm on my own.
Yes, the nightly pitch fee is normally per unit, with additional charges for additional (ie more than two) adults.
You don't have to join a club at all, There are many sites which are reasonably basic with moderate charges. Use the search facility on here, search can be modified to sort your requirements. Club rallies are fine if you are looking at just weekends where you can survive without the mod cons. I've found over the years that the cheaper sites tend to be those where the caravan site is ancillary to the main business. These would be attached to, for example, a fishing lake complex or a pub(I love pub sites). Very often there is a children's playground, Basic toilet and showers, tho maybe lakes don't go together too well with small children.
Incidently, I love the Musketeer, my first van was a 1962 Alpine, the baby brother to the Musketeer. You'll have many happy times with her and the kids will love it.
Good luck...............Mick
Rallies can be a cheap holiday, but it can be cheaper to use a CS or CL, especially if you don't want / need EHU. We just booked a CL for £4 a night in Dorset with no EHU. At those price, a solar panel doesn't take long to pay for itself. We've also been on rallies on commercial sites that actually worked out more expensive than going direct to the site, so you have to be careful with rallies sometimes, especially when they are on commercial sites as the sites often don't give the clubs a discount any more.
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: Cheapest way to holiday...rally?
