Well said JTQU. In addition, to the OP, how would you feel if you turned up at your chosen CL or CS as a non-member, only to be told "no, we won't allow you to stay, you are not a member"? and then find that there are no other sites for miles around/all other sites are full etc.
it's only £40 odd a year to join the CC after all, why not give it a try? you may be pleasantly surprised. Especially outside high season, you may find you are the only ones on the site.
I would advise anyone to check out a few club sites and CS/CL's before parting with your hard earned cash. As a non-member you may have to pay the same price as a non-club site but at least it will give you a taster of what club sites are all about before you hand over an extra £40+.
Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!
Well. Still no nearer a decision. What I meant by grief was more to do with booking beforehand. I don't intend to just turn up at any site without a little homework. I'll search the list of sites for those that don't ask for either membership. Mind you, I might get a call from the Boss saying she's joined up..
------------- Too old to put up a tent but still like waking up to skies and grass...not a cold hotel
Oh dear you do sound fed up now - its not all about the sites, they both offer advice, discounts and this sort of forum support - not that I'm suggesting you join any other forum !! its only about 12p a day to join - go for it live dangerously !!
its only about 12p a day to join - go for it live dangerously !!
Arh, but which one?
If you are anti social then the CC is possibly the better with its greater range of 5 van sites. If you are at all social then the C&CCs excellent and better rallying and THS setup will save your fees over and over again and you might meet nice people !
Don't take too literally
We joined the CC purely for access to the CL network which is huge. We have stayed at a number of sites for between £6 and £20 a night on the CL's and generally love the "smallness" of them
We also have used the CC travel service for access to some decent travel offers to France and beyond
We couldn't book the site we are using in May plus ferry cheaper independently.
Also always read the magazine each month. If nothing else to laugh at the letters page often :)
Don't be out off by pre conceived ideas about one being posh and one not. The idea of regimented rows on CC club sites doesn't appeal to me but does to many, we just don;t use that part of our membership options
We also joined C&CC last year to see what its like and probably won't rejoin as offers us nothing we don't already get with CC to be honest
CC for a year then. I'll dust off me Tuxedo and sherry decanter on the off chance I have to mingle wiv me betters!
If it doesn't work out, then I'll get me flip flops out and open some Newcastle brown and join the C&CC
------------- Too old to put up a tent but still like waking up to skies and grass...not a cold hotel
BTW another thing to bear in mind cugsy, whether you choose Newcastle Brown or sherry, is that both clubs offer discounts to members on insurance for the van and breakdown cover that is tailored for those that tow tin tents.
We are C&CC members and yes, the OH does drink Newcastle Brown on occasion (can't remember the last time he bought a bottle of sherry!!) For what it's worth,we have usually found the people on club sites to be a friendly bunch and the toilet/shower facilities are clean and well maintained. As we don't use our onboard shower, this is a major consideration for our family.
You don't have to join a club. There are plenty of sites to choose from that are privately owned/run and it's easy to check online for reviews etc.
just had a great break in s**t weather with the caravan & camping club tamar DA at a very muddy bude and I recon I've had my yearly membership repaid in three days what a great bunch looking forward to the next meet suits me sir suits me
Do you plan to travel extensively to camp or do you plan to camp within a particular distance from home, eg 2 hours drive? If it's the latter I would have a look at the availability of sites within that range and work out which, if any you would be more likely to use (club or non-club) and base your decision on that.
We have decided to site our caravan this year so wont be using club sites. We also found, with the exception of one cl we werent using club sites much over the past couple of years, using instead other small sites. So I have just contacted both clubs to say I wont be renewing membership for this year. I can always rejoin.
Let me put to rest the opinion that I make Victor Meldrew look like Sister Teresa...yes, I like my privacy and peace and quiet. If there are people about and they speak to us then we speak to them. But I'm equally happy in an empty field.
Since we moved to Norfolk from Preston, we've been limiting ourselves to Essex,Suffolk and Norfolk or Lincs. We've always gone where we want. Yes,travel with the tin whale is a concern and crossing the M25 to go south adds to costs. But I don't want to limit myself to either cost or location. Or be restricted to a site 'cos I ain't in a club
------------- Too old to put up a tent but still like waking up to skies and grass...not a cold hotel
Quote: Originally posted by cugsy on 11/1/2014
But I don't want to limit myself to either cost or location. Or be restricted to a site 'cos I ain't in a club
You've answered your own question really - join both!