Good Afternoon!
I am seriously considering joining The Caravan Club during the latter part of this year.
The only thing that concerns me is not being allocated a pitch upon booking. I understand this may work in my favour if I get to a site early but as we tend to get to a site later, will we end up with the pitch nobody else wanted, ie in the middle of the field where children can walk straight through? I would rather I could put in a request for a pitch really. Are there any 'undesirable' pitches or are they all ok?
Sorry this sounds a bit vague, but I think you will know what I mean, being fellow caravanners yourselves
------------- Center Parcs April 2015
Chestnut Meadows Bexhill August 2015
Once in lifetime trip to Florida Oct 2015!!!
Just a thought, but have you considered joining the Camping & Caravanning Club? Their rules are the same as the CC regarding arrival times, usually mid day, but they allocate you a pitch when you book so you may be able to make a request.
A couple of months ago I went to one of their sites which is close to a main road and as I sometimes have trouble sleeping I asked for, and got, a pitch as far away from the road as possible.
I'm not saying they would be able to accommodate everyone's requests but they may do if it's possible - it's worth thinking about anyway.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
There's pros and cons. Yes with the CC you do sometimes find there are only a few pitches left but at least you always get to choose which is the best for you from those that are available - we never arrive very early and usually the empty pitches are spread out all over the site so there is still quite a choice. With the C&CC it all depends on the mood of the HSM as to where they put you - while many will be quite accomodating and ask where you would like to go others can have quite a "take it or leave it" attitude. But Tigermouse is right only with the C&CC is there a possibility that you can request a particular part of the site at the time of booking (though this is an informal arrangement and there are no guarantees).
With the CC you cannot specify a hardstanding pitch when booking so if it is wet you may find that all the hardstandings are gone and you are left on soggy grass if site is busy.
If you don't mind or prefer grass pitches then you shouldn't have a problem, not all pitches are the same but I have never had one I would call bad.
I'd recommend joining the C/C. I've never had a badly sited pitch on a caravan club site no matter how later we arrive. Nor have I had children or adults invading our space. The sites are alway so well maintained and tidy unlike some of the comercial sites where they squeeze you in like sardines.
Quote: Originally posted by Tigermouse on 04/8/2013
Just a thought, but have you considered joining the Camping & Caravanning Club? Their rules are the same as the CC regarding arrival times, usually mid day, but they allocate you a pitch when you book so you may be able to make a request.
A couple of months ago I went to one of their sites which is close to a main road and as I sometimes have trouble sleeping I asked for, and got, a pitch as far away from the road as possible.
I'm not saying they would be able to accommodate everyone's requests but they may do if it's possible - it's worth thinking about anyway.
I beg to differ. We used CCC for the first time a few weeks back and asked for a pitch next to the lake when I booked back in February as my husband wanted to fish, but when we arrived there was no pitch allocated and we were given a choice of a few but NONE offered by the lake! We certainly will not be rejoining the CCC this year as there site was expensive and we feel quite basic compared to Private sites we have been on. I was so annoyed that I will be writing them a letter.
Quote: Originally posted by Tigermouse on 04/8/2013Just a thought, but have you considered joining the Camping & Caravanning Club? Their rules are the same as the CC regarding arrival times, usually mid day, but they allocate you a pitch when you book so you may be able to make a request.
A couple of months ago I went to one of their sites which is close to a main road and as I sometimes have trouble sleeping I asked for, and got, a pitch as far away from the road as possible.
I'm not saying they would be able to accommodate everyone's requests but they may do if it's possible - it's worth thinking about anyway.
I beg to differ. We used CCC for the first time a few weeks back and asked for a pitch next to the lake when I booked back in February as my husband wanted to fish, but when we arrived there was no pitch allocated and we were given a choice of a few but NONE offered by the lake! We certainly will not be rejoining the CCC this year as there site was expensive and we feel quite basic compared to Private sites we have been on. I was so annoyed that I will be writing them a letter.
This is probably why the CC don't do it. Probably years ago they decided that they have had enough of complaints so make it first come first served.
I for one would be disappointed at arriving early and having a limited choice of pitches because others were reserved by people who might not even turn up.
Quote: Originally posted by Tigermouse on 04/8/2013
Just a thought, but have you considered joining the Camping & Caravanning Club? Their rules are the same as the CC regarding arrival times, usually mid day, but they allocate you a pitch when you book so you may be able to make a request.
We have never been allocated a pitch in the C&CC until we arrive.
Quote: Originally posted by Tigermouse on 04/8/2013Just a thought, but have you considered joining the Camping & Caravanning Club? Their rules are the same as the CC regarding arrival times, usually mid day, but they allocate you a pitch when you book so you may be able to make a request.
We have never been allocated a pitch in the C&CC until we arrive.
Well the wardens must have some way of allocating pitches when members book (even if they don't actually give the pitch number at the time) otherwise how would they know which pitches were booked and which weren't?
When I phoned to book at the site in Scotland I asked if I could possibly have a pitch furthest away from the road, I was told that yes, that would be possible and also asked if I would like a lochside pitch. When I arrived at the site and booked in one warden looked at the computer and told the other warden I was on pitch 47.
Maybe, as someone else said, it depends on the mood of the warden at the time (though it shouldn't do) or maybe Scottish wardens are much more helpful than others
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
With the CC you cannot specify a hardstanding pitch when booking so if it is wet you may find that all the hardstandings are gone and you are left on soggy grass if site is busy.
you can if you book early,i always ask for hardstanding pitches.CCClub show you what are free and you pick the one best for yourself.peak times unless booked there is no chance of a hardstanding pitch.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Hi we have been using the CC sites for the past 6 yrs and find them all to be adequate for your needs. We are relatively new to this but i suppose looking in with new open eyes then one can see the issues about not booking a pitch and pre booking a pitch.
All sites will have desirable and undesirable pitches, and it is to some extent first come fist served, first up best dressed etc, however we have in recent years seen people /units arrive late friday (before 8pm) take a pitch available and then only move to a different pitch when one become available if more desirable, the next day or days later.
Any pitches that may be water logged the warden would have ruled out of use anyway. We have seen this where a a site has 170 pitches but a number are out of action due to poor condition (Mainly grass pitches), thus limiting the availability of hardstanding.
But in reality how many sites do you visit and religously know where the best spots are and what actually is a best spot, near the loos, sun in the morning / afternoon, near the play parks/away from the play parks, Each and every case is different. Its what you get used too and lets face it life to short as is a weekend break to worry about where the best pitch is.
If you use C&CC sites you can at least specify hardstanding. I would not be happy about paying same for grass. We always go for hardstanding in this country, don't like idea of muddy mess outside the door!!
Quote:
ie in the middle of the field where children can walk straight through? I would rather I could put in a request for a pitch really. Are there any 'undesirable' pitches or are they all ok?
We haven't found CC sites too bad with regard to walking through pitches.... Compared to a commercial site we were on last week where kids walked through our awning to get to the van behind!! And friends who were sick of people walking through their pitch put a windbreak up only to find people standing on his aquaroll to climb over. This experience added to very cramped pitches has made up appreciate that CC sites are a whole lot better.... You know what you're getting. As to not being able to prebook your pitch, you win some, you lose some, but non of the pitches are really bad.
Consider a Certificated site - 5 vans max, (no toilets on the one we go to). We can book 'our corner' and we're frequently the only ones there (and it is a fabulous C & CC site).
And no, sorry, I'm going to be selfish and not tell you where it is!!
Quote: Originally posted by Tigermouse on 04/8/2013
Just a thought, but have you considered joining the Camping & Caravanning Club? Their rules are the same as the CC regarding arrival times, usually mid day, but they allocate you a pitch when you book so you may be able to make a request.
A couple of months ago I went to one of their sites which is close to a main road and as I sometimes have trouble sleeping I asked for, and got, a pitch as far away from the road as possible.
I'm not saying they would be able to accommodate everyone's requests but they may do if it's possible - it's worth thinking about anyway.
I agree here. Most sites I, my sister and my parents have used (as we are all members) have done their best to provide pitches where we wanted them. My parents have difficulty walking very far, so we always request somewhere near to the loos for them. My Sis goes with them and they have always managed to put the two caravans next to each other as well.
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Topic: Caravan Club Pitches
