New to this caravanning lark and various people have told me to join 'the club'....which one do they mean? Anyone got any opinions of them?
At first I didn't think it would be worth it as we like quiet, basic sites and happy to compromise facilities for a great view/location & lots of the club sites look quite structured and regimented and have shops, clubhouses etc which aren't our cup of tea. But I've seen people talking about Certified sites (small 5-6 pitches, often on farms) which, if they are good & there are some local (Dundee), might justify us joining as they seem to be only £8-10 which would be great for getting lots of use out of the van with quick weekend away.
Hi, if you search for this using this facility , you will find this subject has been discussed many times and you wil probably find the answers and help you are looking for
Hi i live in Dundee and joined both clubs , its less than £1 per week each , i go to caravan rallies with my van and prefer the CC for that , but find the CCC sites nice , as for cheap 5 van sites the CC has a much better choice
Have to say we joined the Camping and Caravanning Club to start with but didn't bother renewing as we never used their sites. We then were going to France and many people (on here) recommended the Certified Locations down near Dover that were part of the Caravan Club, so we joined and used one of those a few years back (it was a fiver a night). We've since stayed at quite a few of the Caravan Club sites now and can't fault them, none of them have had club houses.
The experience of staying at the Caravan Club Longleat site was worth the membership fee, great place!
However my parents are Camping and Caravanning Club Members and they say that the sites they've stayed at with them are excellent too, majority they have picked have been small and quiet sites.
We're not into the organised rallies etc prefering to do our own thing too, but you can make as little or as much as you want of the clubs. They also offer good insurances, breakdown cover etc.
Join both. Then use both. Then decide which one is best for you.
We like the freedom of choice which, for us, is what caravanning is all about, so we are members of both. This means that no matter where we go we have the maximum choice of sites.
First of all neither the CC nor the CCC have club houses or shops on their sites as a general rule.
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 youhave paid till, you can inform the wardens that you are leaving and will receive a refund of all fees for the days that you have paid for but will not be staying for.
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 1000 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 have to cancel for any reason should be available for you to use at some later time in the same year), 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 17 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
Adding to Janus's comment, the main advantage that C&CC have over CC are the Temporary Holiday Sites (THS) run by C&CC Members throughout the summer season.
These can be very basic although some, run on say Rugby Club Grounds, can include shower and bar facilities.
These THS's are usually run near places of interest and are very cheap. I have seen some advertised at as little as £4.50 per unit, per night.
Where else could you take the whole family on a week's holiday for just over 30 quid?????
With the cost of your "investment" into caravanning it makes logical sense IMO to join both for a while and deliberately fully test the facilities they offer.
Some like us find they both have attributes and give a wider choice so they stay with the two; now for over 30 years in our case.
Some others form strong polarisation to what one or other offer, a few even very strong to the point of believing "I am in the best gang".
I will resist giving selective opinions of one against the other, they are both good and it really comes down to how you personally chose to use what they offer.
A couple of years dual membership represents a small additional price to pay to find out, rather than become side tracked by an initial decision.
Join the Caravan Club as a definite decision. It can provide you with such a wealth of information and technical support. As a newby you have a lot to learn, and, in an ideal world, before you try caravanning. Having said that most suck it and see and learn as they go along! The sites and member only sites are only a part of the picture. The free monthly mag provides a lot of useful information, and, if you think what you pay for, say, Practical Caravan, (or any other mag for that matter), and divide that sum into the annual CC membership fee its dirt cheap.
I would suggest that you have the C&CC as an optional extra if you wish. I find it tends to lean more to camping than caravanning, but then maybe canvas campers think it leans more towards tin tenters! Who knows, just giving my view. Anyway canvas or tin we have a lot in common. One let down for me is that the C&CC doesn't have sites in the Yorkshire Dales. Nice one near York (Sherrif Hutton) and Boroughbridge but not deep in the heart of the Dales. They have certificated and listed ones out that way. So you just get stuck with the CC site at Hawes....shame. (I like the Dales..... you may have gathered). Again there is the monthly mag. I would say that Blackmore C&CC site, is, IMO, better than the adjoining CC site.
We are in both but tend to use the CC more and not just for sites but also the services it offers.
As one poster has suggested try both for a year and see what you think at the end.
Above all.....have fun
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 07/7/2010
Where else could you take the whole family on a week's holiday for just over 30 quid?????
On a cl or a CS.
------------- 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
Quote: Originally posted by Jerry+Tina on 07/7/2010
Keep that file handy Janus, this is bound to pop up again in December
It sits in a very accessible place, and has regular airings. Much easier to do it once carefully and get it right rather than try to redo it every time the question gets asked.
------------- 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
You said, "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 have to cancel for any reason should be available for you to use at some later time in the same year)"
A fair summary. The rules on deposits changed this year. If you cancel more than 7 days in advance you get deposit back, within 7 days you loose it, except in exceptional cases.
Im new to camping in a campervan ( Fiat Doblo ) and made some enquiries to both clubs.
The Caravan Club won't allow me to join because my van is a self-conversion- ie no permanent hook-up, kitchen, or toilet.I have all of these things but they are mods/temporary/removable. Kinda weird as they said if I brought a tent with me and pitched that and slept in it, then I could join......
The C and C Club was very welcoming and as long as I have windows and curtains ( which I do ) then I can join. Im getting a pop-up roof installed next week and will send some photos to the C and C for my membership.
.....and the C&CC ask for proof of age when you arrive on site midweek and seek the over the 55s' discount. Made me feel good
Now I just have to get the supermarket to ask for evidence that I am over 18!!!
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
You said, "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 have to cancel for any reason should be available for you to use at some later time in the same year)"
A fair summary. The rules on deposits changed this year. If you cancel more than 7 days in advance you get deposit back, within 7 days you loose it, except in exceptional cases.
my script is now changed to reflect this.
------------- 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
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 Vs Camping & Caravan Club..?
