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Forgot in my earlier post also about that the C & CC do not allow you to prebook 1 night stays (which come in very handy for stop offs en-route to somewhere!) whereas the CC do.

Also, no deposit for the CC either.

Wins hands down for me.

Quote: Originally posted by Moselle on 28/9/2011

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Not 100% sure but 5 van sites at the CC are usually just that C&CC can have hundreds of tents too so if you were looking for a quiet get away you may be surprised! The reviews on here usually help on that score. We're not a member of either and are in our second year of caravan owning, don't feel we've missed out!

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Quote: Originally posted by TonyC52 on 28/9/2011

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- do you keep this post handy for when this topic comes up every couple of months? , C&CC have just announced their 1,500th CS.

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Agree with the quality comments about CC sites, there are also some very good C&CC sites but also some less good. If you go away often enough to justify, join both and have the best of both worlds.

With respect to choosing a pitch, this can be an advantage or a disadvantage. Not all pitches are hte same size. With the CC, on a given day people arriving early are likely to choose a large pitch if it is available, if your arrive later at a site that is nearly full with a large unit you may have to squeeze on to a small pitch.

With the C&CC they allocate pitches taking account of the size of unit and where possible, any special requests, not by your time of arrival. If the site is not full I also find them flexible with respect to choice of pitch.

We also stay on both CL's and CS's, although CS's will also take tents where there is room my experience is that you don't get many and there is always plenty of room.

Quote: Originally posted by chelsea girl on 28/9/2011

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Forgot in my earlier post also about that the C & CC do not allow you to prebook 1 night stays (which come in very handy for stop offs en-route to somewhere!) whereas the CC do.

Also, no deposit for the CC either.

Wins hands down for me.

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I have to go against the general trend on here (nothing new there), and express a preference for the C&CC. Some of the reasons for this are exactly the same factors as others see as reasons for preferring the Caravan Club. For instance - 'you can choose your own pitch'. Well, yes you can, within the limits of what is available. But maybe I am the only person who finds it more than a little annoying, once you are settled on your pitch and enjoying a quiet read in the sun, to have newer arrivals endlessly circulating in search of that elusive perfect spot. Would it really be so much worse to explain your requirements to a knowledgeable warden, who could then suggest possible pitches and take you to them, so that you could make a decision about whether it suited your needs, suggesting alternatives if you were not happy? The C&CC does not 'allocate' pitches, unless you have when booking asked for something specific, such as being pitched close to friends: the wardens will always discuss your wishes before suggesting pitches.

Then, of course there is the question of deposits. These amount to a maximum of £25, refundable if you cancel at least 7 days before your intended arrival. Now, I realise that this is less than good if some dire emergency arises in the final days before your break, but on the other hand, it does mean that you have a fair chance of booking a pitch when you want one, as all pitches will not have been booked by people who have only the very slightest intention of using them, safe in the knowledge that if they don't show up, it will cost them nothing.

Other people have commented that C&CC sites are less well-kept, which is a comment I have heard often over the years. When I have queried this perception, it often relates to the rather more random pitching arrangements on many C&CC sites: many sites do not have clearly marked pitches. The positive side of this, for me, is that rarely are we instructed to park the caravan in a specific way, for instance, with the jockey wheel in line with a peg, so that we can choose which side we want our awning to face etc. The only constraint is the need to ensure the 6 metre gap between units is always maintained. Other people have seen the wood-clad toilet blocks, which are to be found on some C&CC sites, as less good that the brick-built alternatives, even though the equipment inside is of just the same standard. We have found that both clubs have some superb facilities, but both have some that are urgently in need of refreshment.

As for the original question, both clubs provide good deals on travel and insurance. The C&CC offers a 'family deal', which reduces the cost of club site fees for family groups.

My advice is to try both, and see which meets your requirements most closely