Mr Pooter and I are newbie caravanners and have joined both. Next year we may choose to drop down to one. For now, I am enjoying reading the magazines and exploring the locations of the sites, CSs and CLs with a view to planning future adventures.
For us, as walkers based in the North West, one significant benefit of the C&CC is that they have 2 fabulous sites right next to each other in Keswick in the Lake District. They are between the town & Derwentwater... both are literally a 5 minute walk into the town centre and one of them actually has its own lakeshore..... stunning. In my opinion, those sites alone make it worth the membership fee. (I think you can stay there as a non member but it is cheaper if you are a member).
caravan and motorhome club tend to get booked up for weekend stays, so this may be a factor for you.
Camping and caravanning club used to only accept 2 night minimum booking (this may have changed), so less useful if you are touring and just want a stop over, but they do more temporary holiday sites that are minimum facilities and economical.
If you have an idea of some places you want to visit, it may be worth seeing which sites are close.
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C&CC require a non refundable £25 for booking in advance. I think this is good compared to the CC which accepts block bookings which are not fulfilled, keeping out genuine bookings.
Quote: Originally posted by Whatamess on 06/8/2017
Quote: Can't speak of CC sites as we have never used one, but I can't see how they can be any better than the C&CC sites that we have used.
A lot of CAMC sites are in nicer surroundings with trees etc. Most of the CCC sites - and I've been to quite a lot over the years - are more bland. Facilities-wise there's not much to choose between them. I've also found the CAMC are often closer to towns whereas CCC can be quite some way - for instance Bala CCC is about 3 miles from Bala and not on a bus route. Windermere is the same.
It's all down to personal preference and I know a lot of people would say they go camping to get away but, to my mind, if you're just going to sit on a campsite all day you might just as well save your money and sit in the back garden. I like somewhere to go when I away.
Nora
Hi Nora, have you tried the C&CC site at Sandringham in Norfolk? Set among trees on the Royal Sandringham estate, it is beautiful. There is also plenty to do nearby, from visiting the lovely old town of Kings Lynn, to the North Norfolk coast.
Quote: Originally posted by Jazzij on 06/8/2017
caravan and motorhome club tend to get booked up for weekend stays, so this may be a factor for you.
Camping and caravanning club used to only accept 2 night minimum booking (this may have changed), so less useful if you are touring and just want a stop over, but they do more temporary holiday sites that are minimum facilities and economical.
If you have an idea of some places you want to visit, it may be worth seeing which sites are close.
Most popular sites are booked well in advance, not just weekends. As a CMC member you could also book well in advance.
It will always be a risk with any popular site, not just club sites in getting a pitch by just turning up at certain times of the year to be honest.
If we decide on a trip at short notice and want to use a club site and it was showing as full online. I would phone the site direct and see if they have any cancellations and have generally managed to get a pitch.
I agree about the block bookings situation. Members have to cancel within 72 hrs of their planned dates. If they are persistant offenders their membership could be suspended. Thats why I phone the site direct 1-3 days before I want to go.
Post last edited on 06/08/2017 20:40:36
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I don't know what the C&CC sites are like but the CMC require you to leave at 12:00, which makes weekend trips pretty rubbish. Their FAQ says you can stay longer if the warden agrees, but we found the warden hardly ever agreed. We don't belong to either now, the independent sites are much more flexible for late stays, but I do miss the online booking of the CMC
It is also a rule with C&CC that you leave by 12:00 and don't arrive before 1pm. Personally, I think this is quite a good idea, as if obeyed it means that there is no clash between those leaving and those arriving, particularly on sites where the access roads are narrow or otherwise difficult. It also gives the staff a chance to tend to the pitches. I've not personally asked to stay late, but others I've spoken to say that provided the site is not too busy the wardens are normally quite accommodating.
The real problems come at peak times when someone ignores the leave by 12:00 rule, and someone arrives to find the pitch they've booked still occupied. Or when someone arrives early and finds the site is full because it's not yet 12:00 and people who are going haven't left yet.
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Quote: Originally posted by Mick S. on 15/8/2017
Is it the case that campers (tents) cant join the posh clu...err sorry, the Motorcampingcaravaning club or whatever it is now?
Also, be aware that if you choose the cheaper joining fee with the C&CC, you wont get the monthly rag thru the letterbox.
Yes I think so, but that is because only a few of the sites have tent pitches, and then there are usually only a few.
We used to be in both but as we did not use the C&C club we did not renew. For us the Caravan and M/H club is best for us as we travel to France each year and we get the best deals with the club for our ferry crossings. Saying that the forums are really informative and helpful but it has been said that some on the forums are not the nicest people .
Don't join either of the organisations if you are expecting them to represent your interests and drive up quality standards within the industry.
As far as I am concerned they are both in the pockets of the manufacturers and dealers.
As evidence just take a look at the C&CC "Preferred Dealer Network". It's just a way of further promoting those dealers who advertise in the magazine and nothing else.
I cannot afford to use the club sites, don't like the draconian rules of the Caravan Club, find the club "special rates" for touring abroad are exorbidant and find that Cl/CS sites are quite happy to let non-members stay for the normal rate.
We camp around 100 to 120 nights a year. It is strange that it is cheaper to caravan in France, even factoring in the crossing of the Channel
Quote: Originally posted by SGThomas on 16/8/2017
Have been members of both and now of neither.
I cannot afford to use the club sites, don't like the draconian rules of the Caravan Club, find the club "special rates" for touring abroad are exorbidant and find that Cl/CS sites are quite happy to let non-members stay for the normal rate.
We camp around 100 to 120 nights a year. It is strange that it is cheaper to caravan in France, even factoring in the crossing of the Channel
We joined the C&CC three years ago. The only reason we stay members is for the discount on the Eurotunnel, which just about pays for our membership.
They certainly do not act in our interests as we naively thought they would do when we joined.