Reserved CL Pitches specifically for Touring

olylowe
olylowe Forum Participant Posts: 45
edited February 2017 in Certificated Locations #1

Hi,

We started our CL last year and over the winter we have been reviewing our approach to running the CL - specifically with regard to numbers of units on the site.

We too have caravanned for years and we run our site in the mindset of what we best enjoy about caravanning.  To this end we have decided to limit the number of pre-book'able pitches this coming season.  There will be 3 pitches that are book'able in advance, but the remaining will only be available to those who tour and arrive without booking, or with minimal advance warning (to save on potentially wasted fuel/journey time).

We fully appreciate that this will no doubt decrease our income, but we aim to run a tranquil hide-away site anyway, and money is not the sole reason why we run a CL!  In todays age of busy lives where everyone seems to pre-book everything we want to support those who still want to leave a little more to chance, adventure and exploration!

So, if on your summer travels you find yourself heading towards South Cheshire, feel free to give us a call and we look forward to being part of your adventure!

As tourers ourselves we hope other CLs for (whom this suits) follow this idea, and nurture the inner explorer in all of us.

Our Club details can be found HERE

Our own website with more comprehensive details is www.pinsleycornerfarm.co.uk

Our Facebook page can be found HERE

Happy touring!

Oly & Sarah

Comments

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited February 2017 #2

    It sounds like a good idea to me - I tour by the seat of my pants and often find it difficult to find a CL when I want one - this is sometimes because I can't get hold of the owners too. 

    I think you might want to be in the CL section - you are in the section for people who tour alone at the moment. 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited February 2017 #3

    When I used to tour this way I would probably have phoned ahead at least the day or two before to make a booking. I would not have booked on the day though in order that I could have time to find an alternative if the CL was full.

  • The Ovaltineys
    The Ovaltineys Forum Participant Posts: 196
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    edited February 2017 #4

    Great aspirations - we hope to see you this summer.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,044 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #5

    Looks very good oly. It is your CL and you have set some clear and easily understood guidance for visitors. It's certainly our sort of place, we rarely book more than a day or so in advance at the moment when doing a tour, so from a personal point of view it is to our benefit. We often book on the road as well, if we know there are options in the area.

    Best wishes for a successful Summer.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,044 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #6

    Oh, rejoining are you? Certainly a site worth rejoining to use!wink

  • The Ovaltineys
    The Ovaltineys Forum Participant Posts: 196
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    edited February 2017 #7

    Maybe, in order to get RP smile

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,044 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #8

    Are you close to MH yet? Easier abroad with MH I would guess. Let us know if you do get one. We still love ours.

  • Brian1
    Brian1 Forum Participant Posts: 242
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    edited February 2017 #9

    Nice looking site a good website - I hope this strategy works for you.

    I have to say though that I would NEVER call at a CL 'on spec' - simply too much chance of it being full.

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,701 ✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #10

    Looks a nice CL in a nice area.

    One observation: I had a look at the website and only Biodegradable Eco-Friendly chemicals are permitted.  However, I can't see mention of that in the description here on the CC website.  I'm just thinking that not everyone will necessarily look at your own website, so not everyone would be aware of that, especially if people are touring and don't have access to the internet.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2017 #11
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,859 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #12

    I suppose within a year you will get a good idea of how it all worked. If you only ever have three units on site at any time that might suggest it hasn't worked but if you find people taking advantage of turning up on spec then you might find it a worthwhile experiment. I suspect motorhomers are more likely to be looking for somewhere on the hoof so the speak so perhaps some reassuring information on ground conditions might be an encouragement assuming you would prefer not to have hardstanding?

    David

     

  • The Ovaltineys
    The Ovaltineys Forum Participant Posts: 196
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    edited February 2017 #13

    Well we have decided on the layout ( rear singles over a garage) but very few, if any used so would probably have to buy new, OH having doubts as she feels we would be like nomads always moving on - will have to work on her!

    Doesn't help that our local dealer ( only 2 miles away) has a great almost new 2 berth caravan.. Our current van is starting to get a few faults.

  • Brian1
    Brian1 Forum Participant Posts: 242
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    edited February 2017 #14

    ... for good reason. 

    I'd love to be able to simply roll up as we do on the Continent but for 6 months of the year that's too risky for me ...tongue-out

  • IamtheGaitor
    IamtheGaitor Forum Participant Posts: 529
    edited February 2017 #15

    Your site to manage as you see fit but whilst we love CLs we dont go anywhere we cant book in advance.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited February 2017 #16

    You still have 60% of Olly & Sarah's CL to advance book 😉

  • olylowe
    olylowe Forum Participant Posts: 45
    edited February 2017 #17

    Many thanks for the observation.  I will ask the club to see if they can alter our listing to include the bit about biodegradable chemicals.  

    We generally find that eco chemicals are the only ones that people are using these days anyway, but we also do stock small bottles of Thetford Aqua Kem Green on site and sell it without profit for this purpose.

  • olylowe
    olylowe Forum Participant Posts: 45
    edited February 2017 #18

    Thanks David,

    Our ground is pretty firm without hard standings, having good drainage/soils and being higher than its surroundings (which also provides nice the views!).  We open during the drier months, so generally keep the ground in better condition anyway.

    Regards,

    Oly

     

     

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,044 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #19

    Nice layout choice.  You won't regret the change. I won't discuss more out of respect to OP.

    Glad to see you getting more feedback in this thread oly, we can't tour just at the moment, but will look you up later in year hopefully. We come prepared for all ground conditions bar gloop, although quite a small MH. Prefer grass if we are honest, in Summer.

     

  • gibbo456
    gibbo456 Forum Participant Posts: 42
    edited February 2017 #20

    I think you will have to be incredibly disciplined to turn down bookings now for August if you already have 3 booked on but good luck

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited February 2017 #21

    I wonder how much abuse you will get trom those who just turn up and get turned away as someone has beaten them to it. Good luck to you for trying a new idea even though it wouldn't suit me not to know for such a few days in advance where I was going.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited February 2017 #22

    I doubt there will be any abuse at all.

    As a longtimecaravanner you will recall when both the CC and the Camping club both kept 25% of pitches back for touring members. Then they got greedy and wanted to maximise profitability negating the concept of  "club member".

    There are a heck of a lot of us who don't want to book anything and are sufficiently confident to be quite unconcerned if we have to spend the odd night in a Sainsbury's or a pull in spot somewhere in an emergency.

    I will be visiting this year and wish them all the very best.