Where is the Caravan Club going?
I have been browsing the CC site in recent days, following a visit to South London, not far from the Crystal Palace site, to get some more information. We stayed with relatives on this trip but wondered about bringing our van down.
In my research I now see that the CC offer lots of tent pitches, looking further I see that camping pods are on offer on some sites, and even holiday cottages.
I was appalled.
i joined the club and paid my sub. for caravan and motorhome pitches. An occasional pup tent, no problem. Now the powers that be offer sites for tenters, for camping pods, even putting my sub. into supporting holiday cottages.
I think the Club is rapidly losing its way. It is THE CARAVAN CLUB. it is mainly financed by its members, their subscriptions and their pitch fees. Now we see an exhibition of corporate empire building, corporate greed and expansion. May be its not worth being a member any more, just use the CC as another commercial entity like commercial sites, hotels, holiday cottages etc. And stop the fiction, the pretence, that it is IN ANY WAY, a club for its members.
Peter.
PS, sorry for the typo in the heading, can't edit that....
Mod Comment
I have edited title but can I check that is what you intended?
Comments
-
The club have been taking tents on some sites for years (part of the lease) and the holiday cottages are only on sites that had them already,when aquired by the club,tent pitches are normally in places that are normally "difficult",the pods are also it seems in "difficult"areas,the latest "proliferation" of it seem tent pitches,is probably down to marketing as i know that more people are taking to tents as it is so much cheaper to get started,the Nurse i see at the docs would love a caravan to extend their holiday season, but does not have space to store a c/van,or the finances to have a larger car and the tent they have for the family has all the facilities of a caravan but much bigger and it all fits in the litt
0 -
Do not see any problem with tents on CC sites. Often have a few drinks and a chat in the evening outside there tent or our awning.
We
are all campers, be it a tent or caravan.0 -
The CC often leases sites and the lease sometimes stipulates certain conditions such as allowing non CC members etc. This might be the case with the sites that you identify; in that they have to provide more than just pitches to CC members.
I am not sure why there is any surprise about the commercial nature of the CC. Club is just a name and has nothing to do with its corporate structure. This is no different than most football 'clubs' which are just money making machines for their owners
and shareholders.0 -
I don't mind tents or other types of accommodation on sites. I regularlly us CCC sites as well as CC sites. No problems at all. I wouldn't want to be called snobish.
0 -
Don't personally see the problem. Most of the tent pitches I have seen are in locations where it would be difficult to site a caravan. Even if they were not it would not change my attitude. I am sure we cannot be unique it meeting up with family members
who camp but do not have a caravan. It also perhaps promotes caravaning to those who stop on the sites in tents or pods.0 -
The CC often leases sites and the lease sometimes stipulates certain conditions such as allowing non CC members etc. This might be the case with the sites that you identify; in that they have to provide more than just pitches to CC members.
I am not sure why there is any surprise about the commercial nature of the CC. Club is just a name and has nothing to do with its corporate structure. This is no different than most football 'clubs' which are just money making machines for their owners
and shareholders....Except their are no "owners " or shareholders and all the profits are ploughed back into the club
0 -
Tents are not allowed on most sites. Lease or planning issues can require tents to be allowed. On all the sites we have been on that takes them they have been in a seperate area.
The camping pods are only an experiment on a few sites not usually fully booked and no decision has been announced on the long term use of these. The C&CC have them on far more sites and are far more commercial with statics as well.
0 -
If the people using the sites obey by the rules does it really matter what there staying in. If a site can make a few quid of a bit of land not suitable for caravans or motorhomes surely we all benefit as members in the long run. Sometimes I think there's
a lot of snobbery in this club and I don't mean from the people in charge or the wardens but from fellow members, I know some friends who don't join anymore because they felt that.0 -
Strangely enough at Dunnet the CC have cut down on the tent pitches which were used by walkers etc and just have two now. I missed seeing the campers last year, it makes the sites more interesting. It doesn't worry me at all and there are only a few pitches
available, not always in good spots either....I'd use the C & CC for better camping pitches!0 -
i joined the club and paid my sub. for caravan and motorhome pitches. An occasional pup tent, no problem. Now the powers that be offer sites for tenters, for camping pods, even putting my sub. into supporting holiday cottages.
I think the Club is rapidly losing its way. It is THE CARAVAN CLUB. it is mainly financed by its members, their subscriptions and their pitch fees. Now we see an exhibition of corporate empire building, corporate greed and expansion. May be its not worth
being a member any more, just use the CC as another commercial entity like commercial sites, hotels, holiday cottages etc. And stop the fiction, the pretence, that it is IN ANY WAY, a club for its members.Peter.
PS, sorry for the typo in the heading, can't edit that....
Simple solution, if that is, your views are supported by a majority of "powers that be", (i.e. Us members). Put you and your ideas up for election to the Committee. If you succeed, you become a power to change the policy. If not, you can return to enjoy
your caravanning with the knowledge that "Members rule, ok". I for one, would not give you my vote unless I was convinced caravanners were going to fill most of the pitches, most of the time, as in my opinion it is better to have a site with a few tents on,
paying its way, than have a drain on resources that would probably result in the eventual closure of the site.Besides, I can't see much difference between a tent and an awning myself.
0 -
When I first joined there were just caravans......no motorhomes, no campervans, no tents, no pods, and certainly no statics.
Thank goodness the Club has moved forward wth the times, even if some Club members haven't.
0 -
The real issue is whether the addition of Pods or Tents takes away pitches from caravans and motorhomes. That will also depend on how fully utilised the site is. Putting aside those sites where it is a requirement to have tents because of lease terms if
the Club have spare land or under utilised pitches why not maximise the site income by allowing different units. I have only seen Pods on one site, Abbey Wood, and I don't reckon where they are placed would deny anyone a pitch.David
0 -
The club have been taking tents on some sites for years (part of the lease) and the holiday cottages are only on sites that had them already,when aquired by the club,tent pitches are normally in places that are normally "difficult",the pods are also it seems
in "difficult"areas,the latest "proliferation" of it seem tent pitches,is probably down to marketing as i know that more people are taking to tents as it is so much cheaper to get started,the Nurse i see at the docs would love a caravan to extend their holiday
season, but does not have space to store a c/van,or the finances to have a larger car and the tent they have for the family has all the facilities of a caravan but much bigger and it all fits in the littJVB, there are pods at Brighton (just been there)....what is 'difficult' about Brighton or the other sites you refer to....?
0 -
The CC is now a huge business in the Leisure Industry where the bottom line is all important It is no longer is the little club that those who are still living in the 20th century seem to think..
Why shouldnt the CC widen their appeal by catering for a much wider range of holiday makers. The world is moving on .
K
0 -
And don't forget that all those staying in Pods and tents may even become future members of the Caravan Club. We started our camping 'career' in the smallest tent you can imagine, moved to a frame tent (such luxury) then a trailer tent, then a caravan.
I imagine this was much the same path that many of us followed.0 -
And don't forget that all those staying in Pods and tents may even become future members of the Caravan Club. We started our camping 'career' in the smallest tent you can imagine, moved to a frame tent (such luxury) then a trailer tent, then a caravan.
I imagine this was much the same path that many of us followed.Yes, except we skipped the trailer tent bit. Although did go electric with our frame tent. I am sure you are right, when tenters see how much more convenient a van is, they may opt to change. We did.
0 -
I like to see other ways of staying on a site. We started off camping, move to a trailer tent and finally a caravan. I find row upon row of caravans and motorhomes quite depressing. A nice grass pitch (at least in summer) with tent campers around I find
far more conducive. Yes I know I can join the C&CC before anyone mentions it!0 -
I think the widening of appeal is something that the Club will need to consider and by offering pods and tent pitches, this may be a step in this direction. For me, the important aspect is to maintain the standard of sites that we have all grown to expect,
whether or not there are tents, pods, caravans or motorhomes.David
0 -
Most of the posts here are very hostile to the OP. Also most of them concentrate on tents. I don't really see tents as an issue. Pods, however, is something different and I do worry a little bit about those. If ever there came to be a significant proportion of pods on CC sites, I suspect you might find the mood of opinion shifting from the majority view of those who have posted here so far.
It's not about whether they take pitches away from caravan or motorhomes - if they are doing that then that really would be an issue which surely everyone would have reason to complain about. Hopefully that is not happening to any serious degree. The real, real issue is about what it does to the overall atmosphere and culture of the site. A majority of pods, or even a high proportion of pods would undoubtedly change it and, I suspect, not for the better.
0 -
If the Club is moving forward to allow tents on its own sites, why does the Club insist that CL owners are not allowed to take them?
0 -
Most of the posts here are very hostile to the OP.
I don't think most of the posts are hostile, they just express a different opinion.
0 -
I don't know whether Graydjames has seen pods being used ref. pods changing the site atmosphere? But we saw two new ones being opened up on a site last year and the families who used them really enjoyed themselves. My son and family have also used them, it makes a change from the usual chilly tent on a wet weekend, they're good fun and another way to enjoy life on a site. Actually they're a bit like the old wooden caravans minus the wheels!
0 -
I have no problem with pods on sites becos I plan to come and viset the graet dorset steem fair and id like to see if apod is cheeper than a hotel and I hope to meat a CTer J&I
0 -
I don't know whether Graydjames has seen pods being used ref. pods changing the site atmosphere? But we saw two new ones being opened up on a site last year and the families who used them really enjoyed themselves. My son and family have also used them, it makes a change from the usual chilly tent on a wet weekend, they're good fun and another way to enjoy life on a site. Actually they're a bit like the old wooden caravans minus the wheels!
.......but really small....we had a look one of the two they have at Brighton last week, a 'family' would really struggle to use one all together.....sleeping for two (converted seat), a fold away table and a couple of electric sockets.....on a par with a beach hut, id say....
"Our wooden pods are a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors while staying cosy and dry. Pods are well-insulated and come equipped with some handy home comforts for a pleasant stay, including lighting, electric sockets, seating and sleeping for two adults. You’ll also have access to the toilet block and washing up facilities as well as a car parking space."
Not.
not a homely experience in my book.....no loo, shower, heating (bring your own), cooking (bring your own).....etc.....
in effect, a solid tent.....that remains on site....too small to accomodate a family.....too uncomfortable for most.....and i bet they cost a packet.....to build amd to stay in....
edit....just saw the prices....i was right...
Brighton pod prices
3 January - 17 March: £45 per pod per night
18 March - 31 December: £50 per pod per night0 -
Although personally I think I would prefer my old tent to a pod, certainly it would work out cheaper, a number of operators are investing in them. Including the Forestry Commision, National Trust, C&CC and the YHA. I assume they must have market research
that shows they are likely to make money. I would assume the club are trialing them at a few sites to see what the take up is.0 -
I don't know whether Graydjames has seen pods being used ref. pods changing the site atmosphere? But we saw two new ones being opened up on a site last year and the families who used them really enjoyed themselves. My son and family have also used them,
it makes a change from the usual chilly tent on a wet weekend, they're good fun and another way to enjoy life on a site. Actually they're a bit like the old wooden caravans minus the wheels!.......but really small....we had a look one of the two they have at Brighton last week, a 'family' would really struggle to use one all together.....sleeping for two (converted seat), a fold away table and a couple of electric sockets.....on a par with
a beach hut, id say...."Our wooden pods are a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors while staying cosy and dry. Pods are well-insulated and come equipped with some handy home comforts for a pleasant stay, including lighting, electric sockets, seating and
sleeping for two adults. You’ll also have access to the toilet block and washing up facilities as well as a car parking space."Not.
not a homely experience in my book.....no loo, shower, heating (bring your own), cooking (bring your own).....etc.....
in effect, a solid tent.....that remains on site....too small to accomodate a family.....too uncomfortable for most.....and i bet they cost a packet.....to build amd to stay in....
edit....just saw the prices....i was right...
Brighton pod prices
3 January - 17 March: £45 per pod per night
18 March - 31 December: £50 per pod per nightWrite your comments here...Aaah but somewhere to park your bikes BB,don't knock them.
0 -
Just stayed on an independent site that offers pods with hot tubs right outside the pod. Prices from £75 pn. This was the week before half term and there was only 2 other "campers" on various nights during our stay. So the site was virtually empty except
that the pods were always in use, usually by young couples (20-30yo's). So, despite their price, they will be used and will be a good money earner, in my opinion, for the club.Just looked on the website of the site we stayed at and the 9 pods are fully booked through until mid April at least.
It's almost certain, if CC market them properly, that they'll be used.
I've no problems with them or tents as long as the rules of the club are followed, and if the extra income means that we get a decent new forum software then go for it!
0 -
Thanks for the responses and to the mod who corrected my heading.
I suppose my concern over the increase in pitch use diversity is that on here we seem to see an increasing number of complaints about lack of availability. Sites being booked up at week ends, peak periods etc., denying members with caravans and motorhomes
the ability to use the site network.If the Club deems it acceptable to restrict the number of pitches available to members with caravans and motorhomes bcause it is setting aside ground for tents that have no connection with a nearby caravan, pods etc., it doesn't seem right to me.
How would you feel if you can't get on your favourite site because of lack of pitches and then you find that a largish proportion available is full of tents or pods?
peter.
0
