Autumn/Winter bookings are now live

RochelleCC
RochelleCC Forum Participant Posts: 337
100 Comments
edited August 2016 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Hi everyone,

Autumn/Winter bookings are live now! Winter 2015/16 was the third warmest winter on record according to the Met Office, and it’s looking to go the same way –  56 of our sites stay open across the winter months, so you can get booking and keep touring all year.

You can book your stay here

Where are you staying this winter? I’d love to hear your plans Cool

Comments

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,872 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #2

    Thanks Rochelle

    I have made this post  sticky for a few days so it doesn't disappear down the page.

    David

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited August 2016 #3

    Are they any more competitive than previous to lure us back from the commercials or will sites be empty in week days?

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,073 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #4

    They were last Winter, we were very surprised what bargains there were to be had! Cheaper than CLs in some instances! Especially those with mid week offers!Smile

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited August 2016 #5

    Ournearest is Lady Margaret- open all year with hard standings.No MWD there and you are lucky to see 10 units mid week throughi winter/spring. If offered I am sure we would use 4/5 times during that period.

  • harryb
    harryb Forum Participant Posts: 1,536
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    edited August 2016 #6

    Perhaps the club could use their very own Camping Cheques to entice us to fill these winter sites. Just a thought.

  • Surfer
    Surfer Club Member Posts: 1,303
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    edited August 2016 #7

    My friend in North America has already had a smattering of snow.  Normally when there is snow early in the year in north America, we in the UK are in for a long hard winter.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited August 2016 #8

    Ournearest is Lady Margaret- open all year with hard standings.No MWD there and you are lucky to see 10 units mid week throughi winter/spring. If offered I am sure we would use 4/5 times during that period.

    I agree, stayed there once almost on our own.

    Why? Daft off season prices.

  • pennyandsteve
    pennyandsteve Forum Participant Posts: 92
    edited August 2016 #9

    We have just booked Sandringham for New Year. First time we have caravanned later than SeptemberSurprised

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #10

    I jumped in and booked BalticWharf. Smile

  • ForestR
    ForestR Forum Participant Posts: 326
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    edited August 2016 #11

    Some of the all year sites such as Ferry meadows, Clumber park and Meathop do have midweek discounts. The most popular like Rowntree Park, Chatsworth and Baltic Wharf do not. However most members just do not realise that winter bookings open in August and
    I have often been able to book these sites for long stays until the main bookings open in December. These popular sites will often then fill up for winter as well as most of the rest of the year that day. I have
    never been to Lady Margaret park in winter so have no knowledge of occupancy and do not understand why no discount if so under used midweek.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,657 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #12

    Some of the all year sites such as Ferry meadows, Clumber park and Meathop do have midweek discounts. The most popular like Rowntree Park, Chatsworth and Baltic Wharf do not. However most members just do not realise that winter bookings open in August and
    I have often been able to book these sites for long stays until the main bookings open in December. These popular sites will often then fill up for winter as well as most of the rest of the year that day. I have
    never been to Lady Margaret park in winter so have no knowledge of occupancy and do not understand why no discount if so under used midweek.

    The club used to give a midweek disc.here but for some reason no longer do. Reading recent postings about the site it seems that it's being used less now that used to be during the low periods.

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited August 2016 #13

    Dont understand Lady Margaret either. Seems the HO tea drinkers just do the same thing year in year out and dont look at statistics, changing trends, commercial  sites offers etc.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #14

    Not been to LMP in January but have been to Clumber on several occasions when we have been one of 8 or 10 vans midweek. Midweek discount reduces the price from I think £18.80 to £15.60. The site is however full most weekends at the full price. I suppose
    it is a question of how much you would have to reduce prices to tempt more. As attracting say 20 vans at £10 midweek rather than 10, would actually loose you money, if we assume electricity consumption at £5 a day. Probably conservative in a cold January.
    Of course if you could attract 30 vans the sums will make sense. Perhaps the CC don't think there would be sufficient uptake.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited August 2016 #15

    It just seems strange that companies like Haven are happy to get campers on site at what seems to be a very low cost but the "Club" cannot see the point.

  • birderbilly
    birderbilly Forum Participant Posts: 349
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    edited August 2016 #16

    Not been to LMP in January but have been to Clumber on several occasions when we have been one of 8 or 10 vans midweek. Midweek discount reduces the price from I think £18.80 to £15.60. The site is however full most weekends at the full price. I suppose
    it is a question of how much you would have to reduce prices to tempt more. As attracting say 20 vans at £10 midweek rather than 10, would actually loose you money, if we assume electricity consumption at £5 a day. Probably conservative in a cold January.
    Of course if you could attract 30 vans the sums will make sense. Perhaps the CC don't think there would be sufficient uptake.

    If they gave it a try they might find out ! - the problem is that innovation is a word that appears to be missing from the Club's vocabulary.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #17

    It just seems strange that companies like Haven are happy to get campers on site at what seems to be a very low cost but the "Club" cannot see the point.

    As has been explained on threads before, they are totally different operations. Often remaining open year round because of statics. Therefore staff costs can be minimised, as can things like road gritting, as these are being done anyway. They also have other income streams such as bars / clubs, not available to the CC.I think from a commercial point of view it would make more sense for the club to close all its sites down in the winter months, fortunately for us they don't.

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited August 2016 #18

    SteveL. The statics a Hafan y Mor are seasonal as well. Dont need to use any other facilities on site. The touring site was made in 2015 at £2.5M. Again they seemt to be able to offer superb deals off seasn.Why dont the club try different methods to attract
    us deserters back I wonder. After all as you state if the site is open all the overhead costs have to be met whether full or empty.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited August 2016 #19

    It just seems strange that companies like Haven are happy to get campers on site at what seems to be a very low cost but the "Club" cannot see the point.

    ...But as mentioned before Haven etc ,have additional income streams to help offset their "loss leader" prices

  • kaenergas
    kaenergas Forum Participant Posts: 171
    edited August 2016 #20

    Haven deals get you in and then they pick your pocket especially if you have kids 

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited August 2016 #21

    Not if you resist there blandishments. The other stuff is optional if alluring.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #22

    Enough are clearly tempted. Because there is no way some of the prices quoted on here are other than lost leaders.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited August 2016 #23

    Enough are clearly tempted. Because there is no way some of the prices quoted on here are other than lost leaders.

    ..Most of the leaders we have seem "lost"Wink

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
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    edited August 2016 #24

    Have you tried HAVEN recently. By far the best site we have used for facilities, cleanliness, situation and prices is Hafan y Mor. If you have not tried then you can not speak aganst surely

  • toowetforcamping
    toowetforcamping Forum Participant Posts: 42
    edited August 2016 #25

    Surely the biggest loss is having an empty site but still having to pay the overheads

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,657 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #26

    Have you tried HAVEN recently. By far the best site we have used for facilities, cleanliness, situation and prices is Hafan y Mor. If you have not tried then you can not speak aganst surely

    Have looked at their sites, for visiting in the low season, but have not been able to work out the costing!! Does one have to choise the site you want to visit and then phone up to get the best quote?

  • pennyandsteve
    pennyandsteve Forum Participant Posts: 92
    edited August 2016 #27

    Have you tried HAVEN recently. By far the best site we have used for facilities, cleanliness, situation and prices is Hafan y Mor. If you have not tried then you can not speak aganst surely

    Have looked at their sites, for visiting in the low season, but have not been able to work out the costing!! Does one have to choise the site you want to visit and then phone up to get the best quote?

  • pennyandsteve
    pennyandsteve Forum Participant Posts: 92
    edited August 2016 #28

    Hi Nellie,

    We have used Haven Sites on a few occasions generally with our granddaughter as there are plenty of activities for her...

    Prices are generally cheaper than CC and often include fully serviced pitches. The offer buy one night get two nights free to CC members at certain times and you are best to call and check dates for the best prices inc CC discount. 

    We are going to their site at Thorneick Bay  near Flamborough next week and I think the cost is around £150 for seven nights but if we had booked a week or so later the price was over a third less I believe. 

    The touring parks are generally separate from the statics so you can be as involved as you choose with the facilities. The cost includes access to the pool etc ....

    Steve

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #29

    Have you tried HAVEN recently. By far the best site we have used for facilities, cleanliness, situation and prices is Hafan y Mor. If you have not tried then you can not speak aganst surely

    I don't think I have seen anyone speaking against. Merly stating why they can offer lost leader prices.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,657 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #30

    Thanks Steve.I've looked a cou[ple of time but never been able to figure out their pricing structure.

  • Tim1964
    Tim1964 Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited October 2016 #31

    A trip to the Isle of Wight might be on the cards in January / early February for us. However, only one site on the western side of the island appears to be open then and we want a place on the eastern side. Is there anything open that side, between Newport
    and Shanklin / Sandown? Thanks in advance, Tim.