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Hi guys

We've camped for years and been members of the Camping & Caravan Club.

Now defected to the dark side and are new caravaners (1st weekend in new 'van was bril!).

Question: is there any advantage to joining the Caravan Club as opposed to the Camping & Caravan Club?

Caravan Club (CC) has about 220 of it's own sites with about half open to members only and over 2500Cl's ( small 5 five van independant sites of variable standard licensed by the club for members only ) , the standard of it's sites is consistently high over the whole network, it provides every service that a caravanner could need and all the services are comparable with the best of service that you can find anywhere. When you arrive at a club site you book in and pay your fees, no deposits are taken so the whole fee is paid at this time, you are then given information about the site and are told to go go and have a look at the pitches available ( all empty pitches are available ) choose one, set up and then let the wardens know where you have gone. Should you decide for whtever reason that you need to leave before the date that you  have paid till, you can inform the wardens that you are leaving and will receive a refund of all fees for the days that you have paid for but will not be staying for.

Camping and Caravanning Club (CCC) has about 110 sites of it's own about half of which are members only  and a network of about 1000 CS's ( like CL's ), the standard of the sites over the whole network is of a more variable standard with the best sites comparing favourably with the CC sites. It also provides a full range of high quality services for the caravanner that are just as good as those provided by the CC. When you arrive at a club site you book in and pay the remainder of your fees ( a deposit will be taken when you book which if you have to cancel for any reason should be available for you to use at some later time in the same year), the warden will decide where you are to pitch and will escort you to it and ensure that you have pitched precisely as he requires. Should you need to leave for any reason the fees that you have paid will be forfeit ( though in some circumstances by special request to head office giving circumstances and doctors notes be placed on account for you to use in the rest of the year )

I have been a member of the CC for 17 years and have never regretted it, I have been a member of the CCC on two occasion in the last four years and have on both occasions resigned it just did not suit me. I know of a lot of people who like and use the CCC so I would suggest that it is worthwhile joining both clubs and seeing which one suits your purpose best

There is of course far more to a club than it's booking system. Breakdown insurance from CC Mayday scheme, underwritten by Green Flag (Red Pennant for European cover) is generally considered to be better cover and costs less than the closest cover from RAC through the C+CC.

There are more sites, although these (like those of the C+CC) tend to be overpriced in comparison to similar commercial sites. For this reason, we tend not to use them. Both clubs offer rallies, and temporary holiday sites. C+CC do not need to be booked but you can arrive on site without warning. This in my opinion is a little unfair on the rally marshals as they are unable to predict the amount of work involved. It also means there is a risk of being turned away if there is no room. The CC ask for rallies to be pre booked so that you can be sure their is room for you and the rally marshals know who is coming which makes thing easier for them to organise things accordingly.

The CC magazine is generally considered better than that of the C+CC too.

I have like an earlier poster joined the C+CC on two occasions. (first when we had a trailer tent, second time because I wanted to use one of their sites due to it being a convenient location for a wedding we were attending) on both occasions I have not renewed.

The C+CC to give discounts to pensioners on their sites, so that may be something some people would consider. On the whole, I am ov the opinion that a caravanner who is not a pensioner is better off with the CC. The pensioner has the discount on the sites with the C+CC which may edge the decisiopn that way. Motorhomes are very welcome with the CC, but tents no so much and would be better with the C+CC.

Did anything come up when you used the  facility as this subject has been covered numerous times in the last few weeks , months and years.

Cheers  Ratty

here

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/search.asp?search=caravan+clubs&searchMode=allwords&searchIn=Topic&forum=8&searchSort=dateDESC&Submit=Start+Search

Is this perhaps the most debated topic over time here?

Conclusions in a nutshell:

1) They both offer a good service

2) CC has more sites

3) CCC might edge it for tenters

4) CC might edge it for hard standings/all weather pitches

5) Next a long debate about booking regimes. CCC people champion deposits, CC officially says it makes no difference to no shows and in fact more cancellations are made by people who booked in the last 10 days prior to arrival. (See last months Practical Caravan Mag). Then Rowntree Park gets fiercely debated.

6) Somebody suggests you try both to see which suits.

7) Finally it would seem that the CC rescue service Mayday is a clear winner.

Quote: Originally posted by Ratty on 03/3/2010

Did anything come up when you used the ... facility as this subject has been covered numerous times in the last few weeks , months and years.

Cheers  Ratty

Many thanks for all the replies.

As suggested I may join both for this year to see which we prefer.

Sorry guys - i'm new to posting on this site. As you can see I've only had 4 posts so far  so didn't think to check out the search function. Doh!

Now I've been pointed so politely in that direction, I will check before posting again!