Serviced Grass Pitches
Comments
-
C&CC seem to have a much higher ratio of grass pitches than the CC and they generally work out fine.
You could argue that in the winter overall occupancy is lower and therefore any waterlogged grass pitches (serviced or not) could easily be taken out of service.
We prefer serviced pitches, but have always felt that the CCs £4pn additional charge for them was a bit excessive.
On C&CC sites a large number of pitches have to be suitable for tents and caravans so they need more grass pitches as most people in tents do not want hard standings.
0 -
Not £4 until next year. We don't (yet ) need serviced pitches but agree they seem pricey.
Prefer hard standing however
I have not seen anywhere what they are going to be next year. However this year the charge has been £3.90. So almost £4. At Chatsworth which has super pitches it was £4.90. However, well worth the extra and will always go for them if available.
0 -
Not £4 until next year. We don't (yet ) need serviced pitches but agree they seem pricey.
Prefer hard standing however
I have not seen anywhere what they are going to be next year. However this year the charge has been £3.90. So almost £4. At Chatsworth which has super pitches it was £4.90. However, well worth the extra and will always go for
them if available.We also used a Super service pitch at Chatsworth this summer, booked 3 weeks before arrival for the school summer holidays as you can't get a pitch there apparently. We then moved on to a commercial site with a serviced pitch sans CDP for £23 vs the £40
at Chatsworth. So £17 for an on pitch CDP
0 -
Not £4 until next year. We don't (yet ) need serviced pitches but agree they seem pricey.
Prefer hard standing however
I have not seen anywhere what they are going to be next year. However this year the charge has been £3.90. So almost £4. At Chatsworth which has super pitches it was £4.90. However, well worth the extra and will always go for
them if available.We also used a Super service pitch at Chatsworth this summer, booked 3 weeks before arrival for the school summer holidays as you can't get a pitch there apparently. We then moved on to a commercial site with a serviced pitch sans CDP for £23 vs the £40
at Chatsworth. So £17 for an on pitch CDPNo you are paying because it is Chatsworth. The other site wasn't.
0 -
Given the occupancy levels at Chatsworth the club seem to be underpricing itself. The price is not too high until people stop using it if you look at it from a coomercial point of view.The other site would not have a gate into the park and I suspect the
estate charges far more for the rent on the estate property. Given its position it is always going to be pricey.0 -
Given the occupancy levels at Chatsworth the club seem to be underpricing itself. The price is not too high until people stop using it if you look at it from a coomercial point of view.The other site would not have a gate into the park and I suspect the estate charges far more for the rent on the estate property. Given its position it is always going to be pricey.
Write your comments here...I have to agree with you on the pricing WW.
Perhaps on this site the CC should experiment with more variable pricing. Increase the prices at Weekends and Peak season until at those times the site is almost full. Great extra income for the club ! . It makes sound business sense.
Cheers ....................K
0 -
When we were at Chatsworth in the school summer holidays of 14 pitches in our row, 6 were vacant for the duration. That is 57% occupancy. As we walked to and from the secret door each day going out 1 way and back the other to make a circular walk the rest
of the site was approx 80% occupancy.So if we look at fact, we got booked in online 3 weeks before our visit. Apparently you can't get into Chatsworth in the school holidays as it is rammed. As above the premium priced CDP pitches were 57% occupied in the peak summer holiday period. The pitch
fee we paid was the highest we have ever paid anywhere.Can't comment on speculative and anecdotal views from others who weren't on site in the peak summer school holiday period. Only report as it was. As the title of site review 'Been there done that, next'. A very expensive venue for a family holiday in contrast
to other country estates with caravan sites i.e. Longleat & Blenheim.Apparently it's not possible to get into Baltic Wharf as it's always full. Been there done that booking on Sunday arriving Friday of the same week. Booked for Feb half term already with no problems online.
0 -
When we were at Chatsworth in the school summer holidays of 14 pitches in our row, 6 were vacant for the duration. That is 57% occupancy. As we walked to and from the secret door each day going out 1 way and back the other to make a circular walk the rest
of the site was approx 80% occupancy.So if we look at fact, we got booked in online 3 weeks before our visit. Apparently you can't get into Chatsworth in the school holidays as it is rammed. As above the premium priced CDP pitches were 57% occupied in the peak summer holiday period. The pitch
fee we paid was the highest we have ever paid anywhere.Can't comment on speculative and anecdotal views from others who weren't on site in the peak summer school holiday period. Only report as it was. As the title of site review 'Been there done that, next'.
A very expensive venue for a family holiday in contrast to other country estates with caravan sites i.e. Longleat
& Blenheim.Apparently it's not possible to get into Baltic Wharf as it's always full. Been there done that booking on Sunday arriving Friday of the same week. Booked for Feb half term already with no problems online.
Longleat is not a very good one to compare Chatsworth with, as although the site costs are less. £37.40 as against £44.40 for a family of four on a standard pitch. ( no service pitches at LL) You then have to pay up even if you want to walk in Longleat Park.
Fine if you want to see the Lions etc. However, if it is just a walk you want, I think the cheapest adult ticket was the garden one, at £13 for an adult. I don't know if you have a dog but these are also not permitted in the park at any time. Where as at Chatsworth
you can wander into the park at any time and then choose if you want to pay for the house etc.0 -
When we were at Chatsworth in the school summer holidays of 14 pitches in our row, 6 were vacant for the duration. That is 57% occupancy. As we walked to and from the secret door each day going out 1 way and back the other to make a circular walk the rest
of the site was approx 80% occupancy.So if we look at fact, we got booked in online 3 weeks before our visit. Apparently you can't get into Chatsworth in the school holidays as it is rammed. As above the premium priced CDP pitches were 57% occupied in the peak summer holiday period. The pitch
fee we paid was the highest we have ever paid anywhere.Can't comment on speculative and anecdotal views from others who weren't on site in the peak summer school holiday period. Only report as it was. As the title of site review 'Been there done that, next'.
A very expensive venue for a family holiday in contrast to other country estates with caravan sites i.e. Longleat
& Blenheim.Apparently it's not possible to get into Baltic Wharf as it's always full. Been there done that booking on Sunday arriving Friday of the same week. Booked for Feb half term already with no problems online.
Longleat is not a very good one to compare Chatsworth with, as although the site costs are less. £37.40 as against £44.40 for a family of four on a standard pitch. ( no service pitches at LL) You then have to pay up even if you want to walk in Longleat Park.
Fine if you want to see the Lions etc. However, if it is just a walk you want, I think the cheapest adult ticket was the garden one, at £13 for an adult. I don't know if you have a dog but these are also not permitted in the park at any time. Where as at Chatsworth
you can wander into the park at any time and then choose if you want to pay for the house etc.We don't have a dog as much as the girls would love one, it wouldn't be fair on the dog for our lifestyle to put it in kennels etc.
Our trip to Longleat was to go into the safari park and festival of light for which a discounted ticket is available on the link on the CC site page that as you add additional days brings the cost down considerably. There is also I believe an arrangement
with nearby Cheddar Gorge that can give advantageous prices for use there too. Our pitch fee was £15 per night on a HS pitch.Blenheim offer a CC discount and a free annual upgrade to go into the non thoroughfare areas. We have visited seperately as well as with using the caravan.
As in my review of Chatsworth it was very expensive and the CC discount does not apply to child entrance tickets, as well as an extra ticket for the childrens play area regardless of how long you go in for. Which indicates it is not child, ergo family friendly.
In fact the single most highest prices of pitch fees and entry fees where charged for a country house in our useage.As another thread on CT, my use of this resource is to learn, give info and enjoy the banter. Having learned thus far CC is generally highest price for less as far as a family caravanner is concerned, a fact based on records kept thus far. We use various
tools to manage costs such as Merlin Passes, CC discounts and multi buy offers. We try to give our daughter as many life experiences as we can, that this caravanning lark delivers in spades, as the MH previously did.0 -
When we were at Chatsworth in the school summer holidays of 14 pitches in our row, 6 were vacant for the duration. That is 57% occupancy. As we walked to and from the secret door each day going out 1 way and back the other to make a circular walk the rest
of the site was approx 80% occupancy.So if we look at fact, we got booked in online 3 weeks before our visit. Apparently you can't get into Chatsworth in the school holidays as it is rammed. As above the premium priced CDP pitches were 57% occupied in the peak summer holiday period. The pitch
fee we paid was the highest we have ever paid anywhere.Can't comment on speculative and anecdotal views from others who weren't on site in the peak summer school holiday period. Only report as it was. As the title of site review 'Been there done that, next'. A very expensive venue for a family holiday in contrast
to other country estates with caravan sites i.e. Longleat & Blenheim.Apparently it's not possible to get into Baltic Wharf as it's always full. Been there done that booking on Sunday arriving Friday of the same week. Booked for Feb half term already with no problems online.
Were you there over a weekend??
0 -
We don't have a dog as much as the girls would love one, it wouldn't be fair on the dog for our lifestyle to put it in kennels etc.
Our trip to Longleat was to go into the safari park and festival of light for which a discounted ticket is available on the link on the CC site page that as you add additional days brings the cost down considerably. There is also I believe an arrangement
with nearby Cheddar Gorge that can give advantageous prices for use there too.
Our pitch fee was £15 per night on a HS pitch.Blenheim offer a CC discount and a free annual upgrade to go into the non thoroughfare areas. We have visited seperately as well as with using the caravan.
As in my review of Chatsworth it was very expensive and the CC discount does not apply to child entrance tickets, as well as an extra ticket for the childrens play area regardless of how long you go in for. Which indicates it is not child, ergo family friendly.
In fact the single most highest prices of pitch fees and entry fees where charged for a country house in our useage.As another thread on CT, my use of this resource is to learn, give info and enjoy the banter. Having learned thus far CC is generally highest price for less as far as a family caravanner is concerned, a fact based on records kept thus far. We use various
tools to manage costs such as Merlin Passes, CC discounts and multi buy offers. We try to give our daughter as many life experiences as we can, that this caravanning lark delivers in spades, as the MH previously did.As has been said on CT many times it is fairly easy to find commercials in the same area as CC sites both at a higher and lower price. Clearly the important thing to do when making comparisons is to compare like with like. Chatsworth in the summer peak and
Longleat in the Autumn are clearly poles apart. I am afraid I cannot equate the price you quote with Longleat CC which even mid week is £19.8 for a family of four, which your post seems to indicate. Clearly if it is not LL which has easy walking access to
the park, despite the charge, you are not comparing like with like. Incidentally Chatsworth at this time of year is £23.90 inc weekends and you can deduct the £3.00 per day parking it would cost you to walk in the park. So effectively £20.90 for a family of
four.0 -
We don't have a dog as much as the girls would love one, it wouldn't be fair on the dog for our lifestyle to put it in kennels etc.
Our trip to Longleat was to go into the safari park and festival of light for which a discounted ticket is available on the link on the CC site page that as you add additional days brings the cost down considerably. There is also I believe an arrangement
with nearby Cheddar Gorge that can give advantageous prices for use there too.
Our pitch fee was £15 per night on a HS pitch.Blenheim offer a CC discount and a free annual upgrade to go into the non thoroughfare areas. We have visited seperately as well as with using the caravan.
As in my review of Chatsworth it was very expensive and the CC discount does not apply to child entrance tickets, as well as an extra ticket for the childrens play area regardless of how long you go in for. Which indicates it is not child, ergo family friendly.
In fact the single most highest prices of pitch fees and entry fees where charged for a country house in our useage.As another thread on CT, my use of this resource is to learn, give info and enjoy the banter. Having learned thus far CC is generally highest price for less as far as a family caravanner is concerned, a fact based on records kept thus far. We use various
tools to manage costs such as Merlin Passes, CC discounts and multi buy offers. We try to give our daughter as many life experiences as we can, that this caravanning lark delivers in spades, as the MH previously did.As has been said on CT many times it is fairly easy to find commercials in the same area as CC sites both at a higher and lower price. Clearly the important thing to do when making comparisons is to compare like with like. Chatsworth in the summer peak and
Longleat in the Autumn are clearly poles apart. I am afraid I cannot equate the price you quote with Longleat CC which even mid week is £19.8 for a family of four, which your post seems to indicate. Clearly if it is not LL which has easy walking access to
the park, despite the charge, you are not comparing like with like. Incidentally Chatsworth at this time of year is £23.90 inc weekends and you can deduct the £3.00 per day parking it would cost you to walk in the park. So effectively £20.90 for a family of
four.I quite clearly stated Longleat was for the safari and festival of light. Chatsworth was the first week of the school summer holidays as posted earlier in this thread.
I posted a story of our 1st year caravanning http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/community/your-stories/KeefySher/Our-First-Year-of-Caravanning/rb/1549749/
I also mention we are a family and look to getting the best deals where we can, that we got at Longleat
0 -
You win a prize, as can anyone who really wants to go to Longleat at a lovely time of the year
Think BB had sussed that and is booked this year
In another thread someone suggested writing stories for members to learn from. Ahead of the curve there as the yoof say
0 -
I don't really think that the CC have fully realised the implications of catering for motorhomes on their Campsites.
Where the CC have always catered well for the caravanner who tows their van to site and it doesn't move until the customer is leaving the site at the end of their stay. --- Motorhomes can be leaving for the day and returning later every day. Motorhomes are generally more heavy than the average caravan. This calls for site roads and pitches to be of the hard standing variety to protect the site and make movement easy. Very few sites have grass pitches which can handle that kind of heavy traffic.
Some have proposed giving priority to Motor homes to use hard standing on sites with grass and hard standing pitches, but I'm not sure that would be universally accepted even although it makes sense.
Others have proposed that all CC sites/pitches should be H/Standing. There are great advantages there but would the CC caravanning committees agree to this ??.
In conclusion having serviced grass pitches would not be of any great value as they do not address the main issues,
Cheers ..................K
0 -
Some have proposed giving priority to Motor homes to use hard standing on sites with grass and hard standing pitches, but I'm not sure that would be universally accepted even although it makes sense.
Too damned right K. Given that on many sites hard standing makes up only about 30% of pitches and if 40% of users are becoming motorhomers then if they were given priority there are a number of CC sites that I would no longer choose to use and turn elsewhere.
Besides which what would happen when grass pitches are closed?
0 -
I mistyped aboce. I meant to post:-
' Given that on many sites hard standing makes up only about 60% of pitches and if 40% of users are becoming motorhomers then if they were given priority there are a number of CC sites that I would no longer choose to use
and turn elsewhere'0 -
You cannot give priority to motorhomes or anyone else if you are being fair to all members. I accept that on sites with a number of smalller pitches the club has to make sure large outfits have a suitable pitch available and disabled members need a pitch
near the toilets but otherwise in normal circumstances it is any available pitch.0 -
You cannot give priority to motorhomes or anyone else if you are being fair to all members. I accept that on sites with a number of smalller pitches the club has to make sure large outfits have a suitable pitch available and disabled members
need a pitch near the toilets but otherwise in normal circumstances it is any available pitch.WW, you cant open your post as you did and then suggest its ok to start allocating pitchs to other members....incl large caravans...
the site is either managed by the warden (ie makes full best use of the site for all his customers) or we just drive round and accept whats on offer.
this is precisely why the CC should have continued implementing the ability to book a pitch type mose appropriate to the customers needs....
we cant have it both ways...so, what we have ended up with is a system of first come....except when the warden has his pals round, or there is a large(ish) vehicle etc....so, neither fish nor fowl.
as stated in many posts on this subject, many members hate the resrviving/coning off of pitches as there is never any explanation as to why it is done....
0 -
You cannot give priority to motorhomes or anyone else if you are being fair to all members. I accept that on sites with a number of smalller pitches the club has to make sure large outfits have a suitable pitch available and disabled members
need a pitch near the toilets but otherwise in normal circumstances it is any available pitch.WW, you cant open your post as you did and then suggest its ok to start allocating pitchs to other members....incl large caravans...
the site is either managed by the warden (ie makes full best use of the site for all his customers) or we just drive round and accept whats on offer.
this is precisely why the CC should have continued implementing the ability to book a pitch type mose appropriate to the customers needs....
we cant have it both ways...so, what we have ended up with is a system of first come....except when the warden has his pals round, or there is a large(ish) vehicle etc....so, neither fish nor fowl.
as stated in many posts on this subject, many members hate the resrviving/coning off of pitches as there is never any explanation as to why it is done....
Write your comments here... The simple fact is that when the club takes a booking for a longer caravan or motorhome they are entering into a contract to supply a suitable pitch. This means in the circumstances they have a legal duty to provide the service
and even though it goes against the general idea of first come first served there is really no option. Assume you have a large caravan and book a site and then turn up to be told sorry a Freedom has taken the last pitch you would fit on so you will have to
go somewhere else, the club simply cannot do this. The alternative is for the club to make the maximum length that of the shortist pitch on the site.I would hope no one argues against reserving suitable pitches for the disabled.
0 -
you'll note i specifically only mentioned large vans (and wardens friends
) when querying resrved pitches.yes, there is the contractual element, but with the size of units being known at booking time, surely its not a difficult thing to establish the number of 'large' pitches on a site and only allow that many bookings by 'large' outfits....IE dont take the booking in the first place.
this may vary from site to site, but not a difficult thing to acheive.
in fact, this very process is employed by Haven who have their pitches categorised by size and thus know exactly how many large units can be booked.
without this, we are back to 'reserving' pitches, probably without explanation, which is where the frustration comes in.
actually, i have a feeling this has morphed into the 'what pitch' thread....
0 -
We know on checking the information prior to booking that those of us with longer units may have limited choice if any choice at all on a few sites. I see no problem with this arrangement.
For those minority of sites where the staff need to manage the few longer units arriving then they, not us allocate the pitch. Some of these rather informal, natural sites, in my opinion, are amongst the best.
This management may need to be done on a day to day basis as it would be unfair to eliminate pitches days in advance just in case others choose them. With the disabled, this too would have to be closest to the toilets on day of arrival with preference of course, being given to blue badge holders.
0 -
I think it does work like that BB, wardens know how many longer vans are arriving and put cones on that many longer pitches, if there is a possible length problem on the site.
Our van is just under 8m, only once have we had a specific pitch allocated to us, just this year at the Firs, Belper, where we had booked a serviced pitch.
A few of the serviced pitches are apparently a bit short, so warden had reserved a longer one for us.
0 -
I would say that often having a longer van is not a problem and no allocation is necessary. Where there is grass to the rear of the pitch, a longer van can overhang the grass, which we have often had to do.
In the case of the pitches at the Firs, there was a hedge/steep slope to the rear, so not possible.
0 -
my point was actually that wardens should not need to 'manage' large units 'on the day', if the number of large units booked always matched (or was less than) the number of large pitches on site.
if, as now, all the large pitches were occupied and another large unit arrived, what is the warden supposed to do of there are no large pitches available?
0
