Commercial v Club Site
We're hoping to go way for 2 weeks starting July 4th (fingers, knees & eyes all crossed). So I did some research. 14 nights on a well known commercial site on Lligwy beach in Anglesey v Lady Margaret's Park club site in Chirk. If you know both sites you'll say that its not a exact comparison because the Lligwy beach site is right on the beach whereas Lady MP is inland. But LMP does have a large parkland and castle right next door & the world heritage site of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct a lovely canal walk away. So both sites have something to offer the holiday maker.
Price wise the club site wins hands down and is a whopping £170 cheaper for the same time period. The commercial site also charges for dogs. Its not only price that the club wins, the commercial site wants a 50% deposit at the time of booking which is NON REFUNDABLE. When told this I asked what if the Government keeps us all in lockdown and doesn't allow sites to reopen. I was absolutely ASTONISHED to be told the 50% deposit is NON REFUNDABLE in all cases including lockdown continuing. They did say that where availability allowed they "could" transfer deposits to a booking later in the season but this was not in any way guaranteed. I asked could the deposit be transferred for a 2021 & was given the answer "only in exceptional circumstances" would this be allowed
So although we all moan (me included) about the club it does have many good points.
Comments
-
We certainly always found the club site prices very competitive compared to similar commercial sites nearby, especially with 2 dogs. And the booking terms and conditions were almost always better. And, of course, you know what standard to expect!
Lots of walking directly from LMP and other places of interest a short drive away. Enjoy it!
4 -
Yes when I have done some research into other non club sites, many times they are more expensive and the booking deposits are payable on booking, and often some or all is non refundable after a certain cut off time often weeks before, not 72 hours, minimum stays, extra charges for dogs and awnings, children only at children prices up to 14 not 18 as in the club, and lose all if you leave early at any time... really show how good the club is and especially the ease of financial booking.
I'm sure there will be posts about how things are better on non club sites even with all the above, but as always one chooses what is seen as best.
2 -
We have always used Club sites and CL,s both we think good value.But I think your being a tad optimistic about going away in July 🤔.
Brian & Jo0 -
You could have the best of both worlds by trying the club's Penrhos site on Anglesey. It’s not far from Benllech beach and no deposit required!
0 -
If you want to save nearly £200 then use Rosedale CP, Penley, Wrexham.
A former CL (regional winner) now run by son as an adult only 15 van site. Shower, indoor washing up area, nice people, dogs go free and an excellent dog walking area.
If you want to leave the M/h on site at Chirk then choose that site. If you don't mind using it to get about and still save that £200 then think about Rosedale.
Can't see children being back at school so club sites will be packed plus if you are going to use your own facs then why pay more?
3 -
Agree - Penrhos is an excellent site, especially if you can get one of the pitches in the small area behind reception - the first time we stayed there the wardens asked when checking in if we had a dog with us and promptly gave us a book of walks on the island foc!
0 -
We've stayed in both parts of the site and that small area is secluded and very pleasant yet still handy for the facility block. 👍🏻
0 -
I think the definite advantage for me of club sites is being able to book with no deposit. I have booked several sites this season for different dates. Two bookings were cancelled by the club due to Covid 19 and I have cancelled one due to a change in my expected return to work. I have just booked a weekend break at the Borrowdale site for the end of July but if this also needs to be cancelled then so be it
I'm yet to actually stay on a club site but I'm grateful of having several options without committing financially.
2 -
I would say they would have a good case because you booked knowing we are locked down and have been advised by HM GOV not to book holidays, unlike those who had booked previous to the lock down who did not know at the time of booking obviously.
Not saying its right but you know we are locked down with no promise of it being lifted only a vague pipe dream at the moment..
0 -
A site with beach access (which i understand the OP to be saying) will charge a premium and probably have high occupancy rates. Conversely we are booked onto a private/commercial site in Cornwall in July. The site is award winning and one of the very best we have stayed on (repeat visit). Very Large pitches, most screened from each other and excellent dog walk. The nearby club site is more expensive and small pitches without privacy screening. To cap it the price is much higher for a poorer experience.
However the club does also have many fine sites and we have 5 club site bookings this year. Pay your money, take your choice, no one is being forced to use club sites and vice versa.1 -
If we booked commercial or affiliated sites we would ring and book the day we were traveling and take a chance their was spaces. Penrhos is one of our favourite sites, the high up pitches to the right of the toilet block you will need a lump hammer to drive the the pegs in the wardens lent me theirs, that was a while ago not been since its been upgraded, was meant to go this time now, corona put paid to that
0 -
No
0 -
Totally agree that Anglesey has far more for a holiday than Chirk. I'm always disappointed with Chirk, yes the site is nice, the Castle is very nice but the village is all seen in 30 mins max.
I do think that people underestimate the size of Anglesey and I always say it needs a two centre stop. Staying near Benllech in the East and somewhere in the vicinity of Valley/Rhosneigr in the West will minimise the daily driving.
There are many nice CLs to choose from.
0 -
We were supposed to be at 3 cliffs Bay this week on the Gower, but cancelled when the lock down came in. Terms and conditions stated that the non refundable 40% deposit could only be re-used up to the end of the calendar year. 3 Cliffs have since issued a voucher that can be used up to end of May next year.
Their terms and conditions do include epidemics in the conditions that are NOT excluded, so not a reason to get my money back. (They don't however include Pandemics) .
Robin
0 -
I would have tended to agree with this in the past but in the current climate of uncertainty I'm glad to be able to book without financial commitment.
Hubby works offshore and his dates of going and returning home have been very unpredictable since the lockdown. He went out on 8th May "for 5 days" and is still out there! We think he's returning home this Friday....
My preferred options in the Lake District are places like Patterdale cl , but it's currently closed and not taking any bookings. I've been able to book the Borrowdale site for almost the same price (£40.10 for 2 nights as opposed to £40 for the cl, but I have a £10 gift voucher to use which I've had for over a year!). Both sites offer the option of walking into the fells straight from the site and both don't have toilet block etc. It will be something new for us but I'm looking forward to it.
When some kind of "normality" returns then I'm sure I'll be back to booking my preferred choice of site whatever the deposit etc but at the moment I'm going to take advantage of the club😁
1 -
I would have tended to agree with this in the past but in the current climate of uncertainty I'm glad to be able to book without financial commitment.
Why book at all unless you want to go to specific place? There is a very wide choice of sites out there from the humble CL to 5 star sites. Some are more expensive than Club sites some are not, it pays to shop around. We will take pot luck or not go at all until things settle down.
peedee
1 -
Convenience of location is the usual deciding factor for us but we do tend to look at Club sites first because of the ease of the booking system. Last year we wanted to visit Harrogate and decided on the Harrogate Caravan Park over the nearest Club site which was Knaresborough because we felt it was slightly more convenient. Price wise the sites were fairly similar but as FB says there is the deposit and often full payment in advance of arrival. It is one reason we often leave things to the last minute (usually no more than a month ahead) to book. The Club's booking system is straightforward and hopefully it continues to be so. The only point it really falls down on is the inability to be able to book a standard hardstanding unlike the C&CC and the majority of commercial sites I have used.
David
0 -
I do want to go to a specific place-a cl or fairly small site in the Lake District which allows walking straight from the site
I would rather have Borrowdale booked than wait and see if Patterdale (or other cl sites we frequently use) opens and has availability. It's not always possible to book sites in the Lake District that meet our requirements at the last minute in July or August 😊
1 -
We use all sorts of sites. Never what I think of as big commercials, your Haven types, but we have found some absolutely lovely small independent sites, of around 30 pitches. Usually family run, some are ex CLs that have grown. We are fortunate enough to be able to tour spontaneously, so seldom book in advance, unless it’s for a special event. The booking with no deposit/ cancellation fee is a unique selling point for this Club, and helpful for a lot of folks. We book the location rather than the site. Site is just somewhere to sleep safely, not “the destination” for us.
4 -
That takes me back a few years now! 3 Cliffs Bay was a regular haunt of ours back in our camping days - the site must have changed considerably since then but not the wonderful scenery and the clamber down to the beach! We used to take groups of children rock climbing on the cliffs there too. Happy Days - enjoy it when you do eventually get there.
0 -
You make a very good point regarding the spontaneity of booking. Unfortunately, this is something we can't do due to work. Knowing that ,based on our usual work circumstances, we can only get away for a long weekend once each month I do tend to try to book well in advance. I've lost a couple of deposits so far this season for trips we would have done in April and May so I'm starting to see the appeal of the club booking system!
1 -
Yes, not working definitely makes things easier.
As an aside, couple of lovely small sites that might appeal to you bells, not far but lovely countryside, Walkmill up just outside Warkworth, and West Kyloe which is a mile or so from Beal and crossing to Holy Island. We have used both, very CL feel, both admit tents as well. Popular in Summer, but extremely well run. Two we have returned to more than once. No idea on price at moment, but lovely locations.
0 -
It is one reason we often leave things to the last minute (usually no more than a month ahead) to book.
A month ahead is what we would consider long term planning! Even for foreign package holidays we would rarely book more than a month ahead and frequently less. Touring in this country, for anything around a week or 10 days, we tend to watch the weather forecast and go away when a decent spell of dry weather is expected. I wouldn't want to go to a site anywhere that is full.
Obviously, if our trip is for many weeks then we cannot expect good weather all the time but we do prefer to collect the van from storage and travel in dry weather.
0
