CL Sites
Comments
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Actually, that would be a really good filter, to be able to set a price range. Everyone would benefit, either up or down the price range.
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Fascinating discussion indeed, and has taught me a lot about CL's just by reading. We planned to explore CL's this year, our first of caravanning, but sadly some months of ill health ruled this out; thanks for all the information here.
While we're still theoretical CL users, I'd like to add that location within the farm's also important. We passed one on our travels where the pitches were obviously in the bit of farm they had no other use for, so rammed between brick sheds and a truly scrappy looking barn. It was a working farm, I appreciate, but it wasn't a holiday view! The nearby heap which was guaranteed to provide strong smell and insects wasn't too appealing either.
Do CL's offer varied prices, like some small commercial sites we have used, for either using or not using EHU? That would be an incentive for us.
Good luck, Pardon Hill, it certainly looks appealing! More varied pictures would help too, but you've submitted them, which is way ahead of many. Do others tend wonder why some don't put pictures up, or am I just suspicious minded?
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Do CL's offer varied prices, like some small commercial sites we have used, for either using or not using EHU? That would be an incentive for us.
Rarely, if ever, HH. However there are some where the EHU is on a metre, so if you do choose not to use the EHU all you'd pay is the pitch price. However these sites tend to have a largish pitch price.
I agree about the lack of photos on some sites, and in other cases even where there are photos they don't actually show the pitches as we as users would would want, only giving a partial view of them.
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IMHO having the correct prices shown in handbook, web site is essential. Nothing infuriates me more and puts a CL off my list is to find the price higher than advertised. Not interested in the "From "prices. A definite figure is what is needed.
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Very valid point Hedgehurst, regarding positioning if on a farm. I can only think of one we have used that gave us pause for thought. It happens to be a superbly located CL, great price, lovely site in most ways. But we timed it awkwardly last time we stayed, during harvest, and it was noisy and inconvenient because the huge farm machinery had to be moved each morning, on track used to get on and off pitches. For an hour of each morning, things were a bit less than peaceful. But it is such a good CL, it was harvest time, and it wouldn't stop us going back. It's an old CL as well, not newly designed, so difficult to redesign things. It was full though, and has to be booked in advance, so most visitors cope well. It's a lot better than the continual mowing on Club Sites!
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Is that a CL, indoors? I can't find it in the Site Directory of on the CL web pages.
Edit.
Have just found it in UKcampsites. Certainly looks good. Thanks for that.
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Thanks, Harry. Maybe after reading your post on speeding on CC sites you would be better sticking to CLs!
CL users are more considerate, aren't they!0 -
Sensible chaps there have expanded - now has 16 pitches and no longer a CL. The owners have seen the light.
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Don't know what's happened with this post but just to get it going again.....we've just arrived at Pardon Hill site and am greatly impressed with this new site. Speaking to the owner today it would appear that they have taken aboard some of the saner suggestions made following the OP, and will be adding to the site in the future.
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Good hope they looked at the pricing.We were going to Anglesey next week but found Cls at £20. Got a much better deal with all services commercially. May be Ok for high prices in peak summer but they do restrict their length of season. We have a good Tourist area saying here in Wales.-A pound in winter is worth 2 in summer
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I've noticed that quite a few CLs on Anglesey are on the pricey side when I was there last year. I shan't be rushing back.
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There does seem to be a trend to price themselves out of the market particularly as there are so many good offers from the commercials.bIts also easy now with the internet to search the whole spectrum. Another annoyance is that most of the quoted prices on the web er were for 2016 and the actual fees are much higher.
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We like Angelsey but use the CC's Cae Mawr site which is just like a big CL really, and certainly cheaper than £20 pn out of high season.
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Fisherman - would the Commercial Sites that you mention be able to take more than 5 vans? If they can, then perhaps the comparison on price is a little unfair as the commercial sites will naturally be able to offer greater economies of scale.
When comparing prices, please ensure you compare apples with apples and not with oranges!
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Size is not material. Its not their fault that some arcane rule is used for 5 only. At the end of the day its what we the buyers consider good value.and Cls need to consider that there is competition out there. in the same way CC sites need to adapt.
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Yes, I agree. Out of season the price comes down to a reasonable CL type price of under £15.
You do see, not just in Anglesey but around other parts of the UK, that some CL owners will pitch their price along similar lines to their local competitors but sometimes that seems too regimented and excludes competition for us the customers. I found this in parts of Kent and I'm sure others will have similar tales.
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Last week we were at Llanberis - Morris Leisure £16-70 per night.Previous week Pwllheli Hafan y Mor £11 per night. Next week Morris Leisure Betws y Coed .again£16 per night. Fully services HS with EHU and superb Toilet facilities.All have offers and that's what the Cls and CC sites have to compete with. Say 5 years ago none of these were available and we only used CC and Cl sites. Its now no longer the case and the club needs to respond if they want our income. Its no use Chosley Grange moaning about an uneven field. We live in the real, competitive world.
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Fisherman, I give up! This is a forum for discussing CL's. You simply can't compare CL pricing with other sites that are not restricted to 5 units.
As you well know, CL's are bound by the Club operating within the law.
If CL's exceed 5 vans, they are breaking the terms of their certification and many members of this forum complain vociferously when they the 5 van limit is broken. Whether you feel this law (and the way the CAMC interpret it) is arcane or not, it's what we are stuck with for the foreseeable future.
Please respect this fact and therefore the boundaries of this forum.
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I have to agree with Fisherman. For us a site is a base from which to explore, facilities are a consideration but size of site is not, especially in low season when sites are far from full.
If we can get a serviced pitch with HS for £16 a night, there is no way we would consider a CL with few facilities charging the same, let alone more.
We "shop around" for utilities, insurance, electrical appliances etc etc, why would we not do the same for a campsite?
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The essence of a CL is that they are small in comparison with some of the very large sites available. Many offer peace and quiet, views and other aspects not found on large sites, serried rows of pitches can be avoided. If your main aim is just to find a pitch and you're not bothered about your surroundings then you probably won't even think about CLs but some of us really like them because they are individual and different, hence this thread!
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brue, as you well know we use CLs for about 90% of our stays. While we do look at what services etc they provide we also take into consideration the amount they charge. Our cost per night is working out at at roughly £12:50 pn and our total for the year will be in the region of £3200 I guess. If we were to be paying the price that some CL, and CC sites are charging we would certainly not be able to continue going away as frequently or for as long as we do.
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We would never use a Club site and always use CL's in the UK. We look for level ground, total peace and quiet, away from main roads. We also look at size so that we are not too close to other caravans.
Some good CL sites have been spoilt by the owner falling to empty rubbish bins. There is noting worse than overflowing rubbish and food waste.
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Cholsey Grange, did you manage to collate any information regarding the above?
Also NTH's question regarding going commercial?
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