Message Forums

Quote: Originally posted by Dunbad on 03/1/2012

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Hi, take a look at this excellent brand new site near Hadrians Wall. http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=10615 and the prices are reasonable to say the facilities are top notch and new. There's also a kids playground and alpacas etc.

Fantastic site.

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 Just received a brochure from Dinlle caravan park in north Wales , a site we use 10 plus times a season. They have almost doubled their low season tariffs.

 Low season prices last year was £10 per night for 2 adults and 2 children and electric hook up. This year it has increased to £19.50 per night couple that with the extortionate price of a beer, £3.50 a pint last year, dread to think of the price this year , and a weekend break can turn out as expensive as a weeks holiday.

 We will not be using this site this year along with our friends, another family of 4.  Greed will cost these companies more in the long run.

Quote: Originally posted by coastal taff on 06/1/2012

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 We thought of trying Plassey for half term in Feb but here's another site charging top dollar. For 2 children over 13 they are charging £6 each so a 4 day break in Feb would cost £114 and peak season £45.50 a night , even with the fuel prices it's cheaper to travel slightly further afield.

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We have got the special offer on from 10th Feb - 29th March of just £16.50 per night on Standard - this includes 2 people, car, awning, electric, showers.

Sorry but I disagree as having searched around for similar 5 Star quality parks, there are very few that offer such a deal. OK so you have to pay extra for your children that are over 13yrs of age......but you'll find that most parks do charge for extra people.

Quote: Originally posted by coastal taff on 08/1/2012

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 Most sites charge £2 per person extra , I've not come across one charging £6 . That is what has put us off. I would never pay that rate  especially when you have to pay extra to use the swimming facilities. I just think you are using the parks popularity to squeeze extra money out of people.

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Sorry but if you browse across other 5 Star Quality parks, there are plenty that charge £6 or more........some up to £8 per extra person. Please feel free to another look yourself. Don't forget that we have kept most of the prices for 2012 tariff to the same as 2011, and the swimming charge has remained the same for the past 4 years! Also the charge for extra persons aged 5 yrs to 13 yrs is still £4.50......no increase since 2008!

So your comment of "using the parks popularity to squeeze extra money out of people" I find that frankly wrong. Why? Just re-read what I have stated above, plus we have introduced the Saver Special rate that runs from 10th Feb to 29th March.

Happy holidays to all.....and hope to see you at here one day...........

 I think there is a natural limit for site prices beyond which the majority of campers will not play. Last year one of our favourite sites upped their prices beyond that we were prepared to pay, so we did not visit them. However later in the year they were offering special rates and this year have reduced the prices on many pitches, so we will be going !! If more people voted with their feet then sites would have to watch their pricing policy.

Another thing we have noticed is that on those sites, which have static caravans,the number of touring pitches are being reduced and given over to statics. What with prices and available pitches being reduced we are indeed being squeezed. Hopefully with the Euro becoming cheaper perhaps more of the Benidorm crowd will start returning abroad !!

It is simple, if you feel their prices are too high, vote with your feet and stay at a more reasonably priced, to you, site

Cheers  ratty

Ratty is right we have just moved our seasonally pitched van from Somerset to Wales for that reason the cost of the site was getting too expensive for us, actually where we have moved to is a lovely site with excellent shower block and campers kitchen, TV room for the kids and a sauna to boot, ok it doesn't have a pool nor bar but there is a fab beach only 2 miles away and a pub in walking distance. It is a small but perfectly formed site, the nightly rates are pretty good too and the owners couldn't be more helpful.

This is where we have moved to Brynawelon

It's horses for courses - We stayed at the Plassey a few times when we were still touring and loved it but sadly the nightly costs there now would count us out too, although it will always remain one of the best places we have stayed, the facilties are better than any of the CCs we've used.

I completely agree Ratty........every year this topic of Tariffs becomes a talking point on this forum.........and with over 3500 parks out there, there are plenty of choice, ranging from the basic/no frills parks, right up to the (quite literally) all singing all dancing type.

Don't moan.........just vote with your feet & your money!

Quote: Originally posted by Brookie on 08/1/2012

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I completely agree Ratty........every year this topic of Tariffs becomes a talking point on this forum.........and with over 3500 parks out there, there are plenty of choice, ranging from the basic/no frills parks, right up to the (quite literally) all singing all dancing type.

Don't moan.........just vote with your feet & your money!

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I agree entirely but it's when the basic sites start charging the same as the all singing and dancing sites that choices become restricted and the frustrations set in.

Despite the apparent credit crunch there are still a lot of people with a lot of spare cash out there. Just take a look at all the new motorhomes and caravans cruising around, and when there are people who think that a tent costing less than £1000 is a cheapo they aren't even going to cough at spending £30 a night or more for a pitch to put it on.

Campsites wouldn't charge it if there weren't people happy to pay it and there aren't many campsites struggling for customers.

I totally agree with Ratty, Brookie, Bob61 and BelindaH ( whose caravan is fine on it's pitch  ) prices have increased everywhere including to sites ( nope we still don't get all our services for free 'just because we are a campsite'!) BUT we have noticed the change in 'customer' too. 

Yes we still retain the traditional camper who wants a basic site and a spacious pitch, BUT more so now than ever before it seems, and not necessarily for the better customers want 'hotel standard toilets and showers', they ask for such things as freezers/kitchens, play areas, serviced pitches etc etc etc it all adds up when you 'create' a site it also from a business perspective affects your business rates - as you develop you are assessed to have more therefore those charges increase too.

We had this discussion whilst in our primative ! camper van this weekend, as literally everything you use, walk on, sleep on, play on onsite costs money in one way or another. 

I still believe there is ample choice out there so choose your budget/area and pick your site but most of all have respect for fellow campers/caravanners and enjoy your holidays!