Club sites too expensive
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This year, trying to save a few quid by using the Pensioners discount in the C&CC we joined them again after a few years abscence. The wife also thought it would give us more choice when Touring.
Well, we have now
agreed that our Membership of the C&CC will again lapse, the reasons why we left before, havnt changed. The discount didnt apply for one stay, wrong season? Although they 'say' you can ask for a different pitch from the one chosen for you, in practise its not so easy, especially if you have a motorcaravan, we were given various reasons why certain (empty) pitches, were not available to us. We felt like gatecrashers to a closed party. Then the Chip van was parked very close to our alloted pitch near the main exit gate....... yes, we left the following day, 2 days early....we didnt ask for a refund.
So, yes, some CMC sites ARE getting very expensive to stay on, especially during peak season. But having a choice of pitch even if it means changing your pitch type and paying more....is worth it.
Private sites can be a lot more, for sometimes poorer quality.
The CMC system of booking online without deposit is also far superior and convenient, we seldom if ever fail to honour our bookings.
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I have always found Club sites to be more expensive than good quality private ones in the locations I have stayed since joining the club 3 years ago. In fact, have never yet opted for a club site. We prefer full serviced pitches. A good example here is York where we will be taking our next break. York Caravan Park offers fully serviced pitches on a quiet, well appointed, and exceptionally clean and welcoming site at a lower cost than Rowntree Park. We make a point of checking out new sites wherever we go and invariably find private sites offer better value. There are other benefits of membership but it does make you wonder what the club are actually spending our money on.
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The Club and it's CL network, plus it's no facility sites such as Nunnykirk, offers a great deal of variety and with good research, offers good value for money. Using it to suit what you want and need is the key.
Agree completely with that. We've used mostly CLs this year with the odd club and commercial site thrown in here and there, and over 174 nights so far our site fees average out at £12:66 pn.
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I joined the C&CC when I was a teenager (it was the CCofGB&I at that time).
I usually am offered a choice of pitches when I arrive at a site. Not the CMC way of looking arround but I'm usually shown a site plan and asked which pitch I'd like. Always once at the pitch the staff member has checked if it is OK and would offer a different pitch if I asked.
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A good example here is York where we will be taking our next break. York Caravan Park offers fully serviced pitches on a quiet, well appointed, and exceptionally clean and welcoming site at a lower cost than Rowntree Park.
It does look nice and one we would consider. However, it is 2.5 miles from the centre, rather than a short walk. Plus more importantly for those with children, adult only.
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For me the price difference is not much if you really want to go into York more than once. Next week CC Rowntree is £28. York Caravan Park is £26 provided that you have no more than one dog.
For me neither site would suit me better than Beechwood Grange at £25 a night.
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A good example here is York
It seems that your York site is a good example of the price of CC sites being in line with similar private sites. Looking at next week prices in my previous post.
Rowntree very well placed to stroll into York, park alongside and river. 1 mile from York centre £28
York Caravan Park 3 miles from York centre £26 (provided no more than one dog)
Beechwood Grange 4 miles from York centre £25.
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Like the OP we use a mix of sites and for us personally Yes it is still worth being a member of this club and No it has not become too expensive as it provides other things as well as pitches. Particularly like being able to book 1 night which is not always available with other pitch providers.
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The proof of the pudding... or in this case the proof is in the pitching .
We do have regular threads about how difficult it is to book a pitch and tbis does not seem to have lessened over the years so it would appear that there are many who tbink the prices are reasonable or worth paying.
You can look at a club site and i have done this previously, and within a few miles you can find sites more expensive and sites which are cheaper so to my mind the club is middle of the road.
However if you can find a site that matches your needs and is better value for money then use that and stop paying your membership fee?
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I did a cost comparison for some sites around Aberaeron as we are on Shawsmead site as part of next trip.
No really compatable sites but on a large open grass site next to Aberaeron £18. Not our preferred site type.
More upmarket site BargoedFarm £25.
Camping and Caravanning Club £22.
Shawsmead £21.
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You can look at a club site and i have done this previously, and within a few miles you can find sites more expensive and sites which are cheaper so to my mind the club is middle of the road.
Very true CS. This is where personal requirements come to play. The CC offers the type of site that I like. No frills - pitch, good site roads and decent facilities and free choice of pitch. Yes many commercial sites offer similar (without free pitch choice with some) but I do find these often dearer.
The OP mentions 'free wifi' on private sites. Yes I have come across 'free' wifi (not hot spots which are no interest to me). Most private sites I have found charge however. For my 5 night stays typical cost would be £10 but I generally use mifi.
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A lot of CLs offer decent wifi as part of their package. It might be included in price, but when price is around the £12 per night tariff, it sure as heck feels like free!
Never bought Club wifi, never will. 1 -
why o why do people moan about the price of sites, if its to expensive then don't use it. Simple. same as if picking hotels, some are cheaper than others. people spend thousands and thousand of pound on caravans/motorhomes then have a go at club site prices at less than £25 per night that has hot showers when needed, toilets with paper when needed, places to wash the pots and pans and prepare food if required and electric to cook it. come on members, give it a rest.
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LL, 'twas ever thus.
People complain about prices but still seem to pay them. Let them complain, we don’t have to listen.
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In general I think CAMC sites are sensibly priced. Although I would argue that on some sites, they have unreasonably extended peak, to the extent it is affecting occupancy. Less than £25 is a very fair price. Bridlington pre school holidays (England and Wales) was £33.60 (2 adults) and had low occupancy rates in the week and was not full at weekends. So is that a fair price, I have no idea. We happily paid it, as it meant we could get a 9 day stay, impossible at other sites we looked at, so it was fair for us.
Indeed in the winter months the club have some very good deals with pitches costing as little as £16.20 on a facilities site, with 16 amp electric. Although I remember another thread where members were complaining that these were to high, as there was little take up.
Either way if folk want to complain, it is there right to do so.
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Don't listen then TW
The only site fee that I shall pay this year that I do consider to be too dear is at CC Southport site. We should be there from 14th until 29th Deccember. Up to 21st December the price is £21.10 but from 21st it is £35.30
Yes I consider that to be well overpriced and yes I will pay it as it only affects 5% of my nights away. Other than that I have no great problem with CC prices
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"Don't listen then TW"
That was my advice to LL.
We rarely go away during peak season - not because of prices but because we prefer sites and places in general when they’re quieter. If we do go away at peak times, we’ll choose an AO CL away from busy resorts.
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If Southport was £2 p/n I still wouldn’t go there, Easy. In fact, they couldn’t pay me enough to make me visit again😂😂😂
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I must be truly, hopelessly unlucky.
On my own I rarely use a club site as there are just simply so many permutations and opportunities to park up a camper van like mine. However having in the last year become a born-again caravanner I find myself using full facility sites when Jo, my sister, is with me.
Last winter: Two non-club sites in the Manchester area: Freezing cold washrooms, outside washing up area's ventilated by the beast from the East, separation from my neighbours about 3m. Then I found Burrs country park. for £3 night extra, warm washrooms, sheltered pot washing, space from my neighbours and all round superb facilities.
This spring/summer: Private site near Aberystwyth: Totally inadequate numbers of washroom facilities, queue for the ladies, caravan even with wheel ramps so uneven I find it impossible not to spill my wine! Then Newport, same price, great facilities, back on an even keel, and cheaper!
This Summer: A superb cotswold private site for £21, but next to nowhere: Cirencester park, £23.
Where are all these cheap, non-club sites with superb facilities that knock spots off the club sites? I seem to be making an appalling job of finding them
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Darkness has its benefits, Easy.😀
It's just my personal view that I hated the place - both the immediate area and the site. No doubt there are places I like that you and others don’t. Tis life.
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"Where are all these cheap, non-club sites with superb facilities that knock spots off the club sites? I seem to be making an appalling job of finding them
"I've asked that very same question many times before, Jen, but rarely got an answer. Sometimes a commercial site might work out a couple of quid cheaper and sometimes offpeak they'll do special offers. And, of course, it depends on the size of the party - anyone thinking commercial sites offer better value than club sites, say in Cornwall, for a family holiday would do well to compare the likes of Haven, Trevornick etc with Treamble Valley. That'll come as an eye opener!
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"Where are all these cheap, non-club sites with superb facilities that knock spots off the club sites? I seem to be making an appalling job of finding them "
I doubt you will Jen.......
Most of them are a figment of the CT Moaners imagination.....
Edit....M, snap!
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