We are planning a trip to Legoland in July and I want to book a campsite which is part of the CCC - they accept non members but for the difference in pitch price for the duration of our trip I may aswell join up. How can I check availability for my dates as a non member, we aren't planning on visiting any other CCC sites this year I won't bother joining up unless I can get in at this site. I've tried calling but I just get an answermachine message re-directing me to the website which I can't access booking info as Im not a member argh!!
I know it's a catch 22! I toyed with the idea too but as advised on here it's not all that for the money and the information on here with regards sites/reviews/info etc is brilliant and free. I have a large family so can't go on alot of the sites. But now we've gone into a share of a caravan with my folks and brother so could be more worthwhile now?! Arggghh.
Are there no other sites near there that aren't CCC ones? I'm sure I've seen people on here talking about Legoland and camping places....i think?!
------------- It always rains on tents. Rainstorms will travel thousands of miles, against prevailing winds for the opportunity to rain on a tent.
Hi I just called again and managed to speak to a lovely lady at the site at Chertsey who confirmed availability - so Im just signing up now, not sure if I'll use my membership much in the next year but I'd have paid for it anyway with the increased price per night for being a non member.
There are two other sites Amerdan - put off by M4 next door as well as on flight path but seems great otherwise & Hurley which is a fab site as I stayed there when I was younger but it doesn't have a play area & with my children being only 5 &3 its the first thing they look for.
Everyone will have a different level of benefit from membership of the CCC
I joined on an impulse and cant say that I have really benefited at all. As a tent camping enthusiast I would have preferred more tent related content in both their website and the magazines.
The DA meets at first seemed intriguing however the "own san ess" is kind of limiting without the additional investment in ones own toilet facilities and the associated space that takes up in ones already overloaded car.
As we use the campsites that we go to as a base to explore the local area, facilities at the campsite such as clubhouse and play area are not so important to us all it really needs is a toilet and possibly hot & cold running water.
I expect the CCC fanboi's will be swift to defend the merits of CCC membership however IMHO membership of UKCampsite is the only essential club membership needed for the camping enthusiast of whatever variety. (tent, caravan, etc) Here you can find or request advice on any subject. find user reviews on thousands of campsites, more user reviews on tents, and even the advertising is relevant and safe to click on (so far anyway)
The positive that we get from the CCC membership is that it also includes all the Forest Holiday sites as well which are not all club houses and manicured pitches.
You also need to read the details in the book pack carefully as you get loads of discounts from places all over the UK including restaurants theme parks and different places of interest.
------------- Dont dream your life, live your dream, or just go down the pub !!
I joined the CCC (only for 1 year) back in 2000. I was camping in Scotland and arrived at the site at Luss (by Loch Lomond) very tired, thought the site was delightful and the wardens very helpful, and was happy to sign up. The CCC site in a walled garden outside Oban was also excellent - although the midgies caught up with me at that point!
I realised after a while that I wasn't going to get away camping often enough to make it worth my while continuing my membership. However, I still find the Big Sites Book very handy when planning trips. That, combined with up-to-date info on the Net, is still very helpful to me, ten years on.
Another advantage of CCC membership is access to the certified sites. We've been to some really nice ones. Usually small and basic, but some have showers etc.