I am a member of both the CC and the C & CC, both have their benefits and in general I recommend each one.
Yes there are 'pockets' of members in each that seem to put themselves on a pedestal above other members, but just let them get on with it. Life is to short and there are too many lovely sites and people to meet out there.
One thing I feel inclined to comment on is the CC Caravan Insurance and Car Insurance, they are completely different!
The Caravan Insurance dept are a pleasure to deal with, but I cannot say the same for the Car Insurance. I have had nothing but problems since starting with them and certainly would not recommend them. I will see the 12 months out, but never would I use them again. I do not wish to go into personal reasons why as it would not be of interest to other members, but purely expressing my opinion from a personal view.
In conclusion, I have met some lovely people through each of the clubs and enjoy receiving both magazines on a regular basis. Then there are the site cost reductions, obviously a benefit to all. Try not to accept everything you read on the forums as genuine, saying that, of all the caravan websites I use, UK Campsite is head and shoulders above the rest!
------------- Paul & Bev (Washington, Tyne & Wear)
I've considered joining but many of the sites I've looked at staying on don't seem to offer great value for money when you consider the facilities. Having two young kids I need more than just a field, playground and games room to keep them occupied.
They've come to expect heated indoor pools with water slides, restaurants, ice cream parlours, arcades, extensive kids clubs and evening entertainment.
When they're too old to want to come away with us I'll likely join and enjoy relaxing but until then I'll continue with the more commercial sites.
Quote: Originally posted by jayc001 on 18/6/2013
I've considered joining but many of the sites I've looked at staying on don't seem to offer great value for money when you consider the facilities. Having two young kids I need more than just a field, playground and games room to keep them occupied.
They've come to expect heated indoor pools with water slides, restaurants, ice cream parlours, arcades, extensive kids clubs and evening entertainment.
When they're too old to want to come away with us I'll likely join and enjoy relaxing but until then I'll continue with the more commercial sites.
When they are young I would say ours expect less, its only when older maybe more facilities are needed. Ours love some of the CL's with open space, some trees, some games and an imagination to keep them occupied during the day. Maybe some limited console and TV time for when worn out or evenings.
CC membership gets you access to over 2k small sites which is only reason we joined. Also joined C&CC now to give us max choice
Quote: Originally posted by frederico on 16/6/2013
I live in Blyth, Northumberland and can not justify £40+ to join the caravan or caravan and camping club. Their sites within reasonable driving distance do not appeal to me at their expensive prices (for non members) for short or medium stays. It is not worth paying £40 to save £20 against non member sites. I do not like their charging system for Caravan, Adults, Car, Awning, Children extra car, etc, etc. I would be having to use pen ans paper or get the calculator out. If you like their sites? and are able to go regularly ok. I am sure you meet lots of friends. As soon as I see them on UKcampsite finder I skip past them as I assume it is so much dearer for non members. I never look at caravan club websites as it is very repetitive and basic.
I think you should get your facts right , neither club charges for awnings or dogs only the number of people if more than two and an extra car as do all commercials
Quote: Originally posted by Highlander09 on 17/6/2013
I was a member of the CC 25 years ago and rejoined when we got a caravan again a couple of years ago. What a change!
The sites were crammed in and very tightly controlled although nothing seemed to be done about late night drinkers or speeding drivers.
We tried booking up for full weeks or 10 days and found that weekends were almost impossible to book because they were showing as full. There has been posts before (and by me) about block bookings.
We now are in the CCC and find the sites a lot better, both in management and facilities. their handbook has loads of smaller sites as well as the big ones.
I don't nkow what the CC want from their members except the fees because they show little concern about complaints either on site or through the office.
reading your site reports of the C.C site's you've been to have been all good
We are currently members of both clubs, but are not renewing with the C&CC as you are not able to prebook an electric pitch for a single Saturday night (minimum 3 nights for a bank holiday).
I am a member of CCC not the Caravan Club and find they have a lot of nice sites and the standard of the facilities are really good. I probably don't use them enough to get my money back on the sites although I have insured my Campervan through them and found that very simple and reasonable. I was wondering about joining the CC instead of the CCC because at least you can pay a bit more and stay on a CCC site but you can't stay on a CC site unless you are a member.
The regular camping magazine from CCC is quite good.
at Zafiral - I think it is reasonable to expect people to stay longer than one night on a bank holiday. If you only stayed for one night then that effectively stops the campsite booking out your spot for the rest of the BH weekend and they would have ot put the prices up for everyone if they did that.
I doubt you would find anywhere decent that would let you prebook for one night on a BH weekend to be honest but I might be wrong.
Quote: Originally posted by Jackie001 on 19/6/2013 ...I was wondering about joining the CC instead of the CCC because at least you can pay a bit more and stay on a CCC site but you can't stay on a CC site unless you are a member.
But don't the Caravan Club allow non-members on most of their Club Sites, for an extra fee of course, just like the Camping and Caravanning Club?
Quote: Originally posted by Jackie001 on 19/6/2013I am a member of CCC not the Caravan Club and find they have a lot of nice sites and the standard of the facilities are really good. I probably don't use them enough to get my money back on the sites although I have insured my Campervan through them and found that very simple and reasonable. I was wondering about joining the CC instead of the CCC because at least you can pay a bit more and stay on a CCC site but you can't stay on a CC site unless you are a member.
The regular camping magazine from CCC is quite good.
at Zafiral - I think it is reasonable to expect people to stay longer than one night on a bank holiday. If you only stayed for one night then that effectively stops the campsite booking out your spot for the rest of the BH weekend and they would have ot put the prices up for everyone if they did that.
I doubt you would find anywhere decent that would let you prebook for one night on a BH weekend to be honest but I might be wrong.
Sorry I didn't write my post clearly. I would be happy with a 2 night stay for a bank holiday.
However, it is a minimum 2 night stay for a pre booked standard Saturday & a minimum 3 night stay for a bank holiday weekend. Meaning to fully use what we are paying for a day's holiday would have to be taken for each trip. As we can't take our daughter out of school we are also limited to a maximum of around 10 weeks a year.
Quote: Originally posted by Jackie001 on 19/6/2013I am a member of CCC not the Caravan Club and find they have a lot of nice sites and the standard of the facilities are really good. I probably don't use them enough to get my money back on the sites although I have insured my Campervan through them and found that very simple and reasonable. I was wondering about joining the CC instead of the CCC because at least you can pay a bit more and stay on a CCC site but you can't stay on a CC site unless you are a member.
The regular camping magazine from CCC is quite good.
at Zafiral - I think it is reasonable to expect people to stay longer than one night on a bank holiday. If you only stayed for one night then that effectively stops the campsite booking out your spot for the rest of the BH weekend and they would have ot put the prices up for everyone if they did that.
I doubt you would find anywhere decent that would let you prebook for one night on a BH weekend to be honest but I might be wrong.
Caravan Club allows single night bookings at any time of the year unlike the poxy C&CC who insist on minimum 2 nights .
We were on route to Spain and only need 1 night before catching the boat and Chichester C&CC insisted on 2 nights min.
Phoned up Carefree(part of the C&CC) and told them to get it sorted as I'd booked the Spanish trip through them and needed only 1 night .
They in turn overruled the site managers and we got our 1 night only . NO FLEXIBILITY with the C&CC unlike the Caravan Club
Earlier posters about the CC say that they can never book anywhere because CC sites are always booked up by people who then don't turn up because they don't have to pay up front.
So being able to only book one night won't help much if there is nothing available. I suppose this means both club systems have issues then.
at Hacksaw Bob. Every site I've seen that is a CC site has looked to me to say Members Only. Even on this website it says that - I just looked up the last one I saw and it says: This is a club member only site - you may be able to join on site - please check direct with the site.
So, is that right that CC sites let non-members on, albeit at a higher price? If so,that will give me a lot more choice of sites. And I don't understand why they always give off the appearance of not welcoming non-members if they do actually allow them on. A strange way to do business.
A good number of CC sites (and C&CC sites for that matter) you can visit as non members, however you can only book directly with the sites, you can't book on the websites or call centres.
On the CC website it looks like there are between 50 & 60 member only sites As I think there are just over 200 sites, less than 30% are member only. What is weird is that you can sort by members only, but you can't sort by 'allow non members'.
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 worth it ?
