Introducing Experience Freedom

Caravan Han
Caravan Han Forum Participant Posts: 87
First Comment
edited May 2017 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Hi everyone,

We know you enjoy getting the most from the great outdoors and sharing these experiences with friends and family is what memories are made of. We’re delighted to tell you that we’ve extended our range of accommodation options on offer on our Club sites to include Glamping Pods and Yurts.

These will be at Coniston Park Coppice, Abbey Wood and Alderstead Heath.

Why not try something different this season? Members receive a discount of 10% on the new accommodation. Or if you’re staying on a touring pitch, why not share the experience and invite your friends and family to join you? You’ll find everything you need to know here: www.experiencefreedom.co.uk

Hannah

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Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited May 2017 #2

    Is the new company name going to get longer to encompass the latest additionscool

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,068 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #4

    They both look lovely, especially the Yurts. I have tried to access the site and find out some prices but not having any luck at all. Where can I find out the prices?

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,154 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #5

    I fear for the number of touring pitches. Other than that, I guess it meets a need.

     

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited May 2017 #6

    Good post Bakers ,it seems the new club is losing its way rather than finding more sites to expand  what a touring club I would think is its main purpose,as the network seems to have only lost sites   or did this all change from February 21st 2017undecided

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #7

     TDA. If you fill in the top bar on the web page listed (as a test,) you'll find the prices come up. I tried Coniston earlier, four nights in August for two people. Quiet pricey but similar to other high season accommodation. Around the £400 mark. This was for the large Swift (?) pods which are very nice. I see another lake district site near Ambleside has the smaller versions just for two.

    These pods are appearing on lots of commercial sites, if they encourage more site usage it will bring in revenue.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,068 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #9

    Sorry brue, still not quite sure what you mean. I filled in a mock booking to see if that brought up costs, but it just said unavailable? Surely HQ could provide a link to prices? Please?

  • Caravan Han
    Caravan Han Forum Participant Posts: 87
    First Comment
    edited May 2017 #10

    Hi takehtedogalong,

    We’re working hard to deliver glamping pods and yurts at a number of locations. Coniston will be our first site to open on June 30th and Alderstead Heath Yurts from July 28th. Alderstead Heath and Abbey Wood Glamping pods will show availability from August 11th onwards. If you search using these dates it will also show the prices.

    We do hope to bring these dates forward and release further availability. Watch this space!

    Hannah

  • Dickdastardly1
    Dickdastardly1 Forum Participant Posts: 153
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    edited May 2017 #11

    Bakers2, if you look at the positives of this and some of the reasoning behind this move, then it makes sense. If people who will use these options do not own or they do not want to own a caravan, tent or a motorhome then this gives them the  opportunity to enjoy our sites. It is also an introduction into camping which may lead onto buying an outfit.

    For example, If you have family who do not have an outfit then these give your family the opportunity to join you on site....

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited May 2017 #12

    Two nights Coniston w/end July 4 people £238surprised Hillhead for us thenwink

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,068 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #13

    I have sorted it! Hadn't put a long enough stay in, so it was coming up unavailable. Glamping pods are around £69 per night, which compared with some B&Bs seems quite good value. Yurts are more expensive, not sure how they compare with yurts on farms. 

  • Caravan Han
    Caravan Han Forum Participant Posts: 87
    First Comment
    edited May 2017 #14

    Hi JVB66,

    We have lost a couple of sites but we have added pitches to several of our sites this season - Southport was extended to add 71 pitches, Bridlington is being extended to add 77 pitches, Burrs will have had 22 pitches added, Seacroft had an additional 26 pitches and the New Forest 14.

    I realise it can be tricky to book at the last minute and weekends at our popular sites so we will continue to work towards gaining new sites each year to expand our network. 

    Hannah

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited May 2017 #15

    So how many touring pitches have been removed to accommodate the spot yurts?

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited May 2017 #16

    Not appropriate for a Caravan and Motorhome Club established for touring.

    Members have paid for the sites and they shouldn't be used by non-members.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited May 2017 #17

    I agree that sites are for members but there are numerous leased sites on the network that have to accept non members as part of the lease,I wonder if the sites selected for the latest move away from the ethos of the 1907 club come under the lease requirements, or the 2017 "new club" are now trying to "diversify", to give the site staff even more "problems"undecided

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited May 2017 #18

    +1 MF, they're great additions. Minimal kit to lug around toosmile

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,154 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #19

    What's more, Rocky, I think the income could boost the club's coffers and maybe help keep costs down the rest of us.

    Coniston, Glamping Pod, 22July, 4 nights, 2 people = £436. 

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited May 2017 #20

    Just waiting for Corners to come along now........

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #21

    It seems a lot of money for 4 nights!! , but then the CC must have done its homework on a pricing structure surprised

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,154 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #22

    We must assume so, Husky. The prices are what made me think we might all be gainers from this move. 👍🏻

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited May 2017 #23

    Must we?

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,653 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #24

    Sounds like a good enough reason for us NOT to visit those sites. I thought the CC was a club for touring units, not one that have static accommodation on it!!

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,154 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #25

    Yes, we have no option. 

    Good to see you so bright and cheery tonight, Ian.undecided

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited May 2017 #26

    British gas sell electricity-its called progress. No place for Dinosaurs in the future, supply & demandsmile

  • HelenandTrevor
    HelenandTrevor Forum Participant Posts: 3,221
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    edited May 2017 #27

    I really like the look of the Glamping Pods, pity they are not pet friendly, could be very tempted  😉

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited May 2017 #28

    I tend to think that people do have an option on whether to think that the CAMC have thought this through.

    £119 per night for a family of four (in the example given above) for 'room' only in a tent / shed........undecided

    Coming up with a costed plan can come in two forms - 

    Option 1 - you look at what's in demand and what the market will be willing to pay and then come up with a product that can be provided to meet that demand and still deliver a profit.

    Option 2 - you go ahead and install expensive, glorified sheds,  together with the cost of concrete bases, drainage, permanent electrical supplies, furniture etc. add in the cost of lost income from the displaced caravan pitches, the cost of maintenance, cleaning etc........and then set the price to try to cover all of that cost (taking into account all the 'void' time when no-one books this very expensive accommodation)........and wait to see if it works.

    I suspect that the CAMC costed plan (if one even exists) is closer to option 2.

    Of course, if you have that massive 'cushion' of several hundred thousand membership fees, you can afford to carry out these whimsical, very expensive experiments.

     

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,154 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #29

    I prefer the glass half full approach and refuse to spread doom and gloom unless it's proved wrong.

    LIfe's so much more pleasant if you accept what's happened instead of banging your head against a wall, Ian. Why be a pessimist?

     

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
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    edited May 2017 #30

    Or, why be a realist and spoil the party?

    It's our money they are wasting and our sites they are spoiling, Tinners.

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #31

    "The bunks take a maximum of 11stone" , a quote from the information page ,......... that's me out then !embarassed