CL owners
We love CLs! We use them a lot and we enjoy the peace and quiet that they have to offer. Recently we’ve noticed a trend for people to leave reviews complaining about the owners. For example, someone put that they were disappointed as there wasn’t a reception! Someone else said that after a ten hour drive they arrived tired and hungry and no one was there to greet them. People complain that the owners aren’t around and aren’t friendly. For goodness sake, what do some folk expect? The owners aren’t there to become instant best friends with everyone who turns up! Provided a site is clean and tidy and someone is available should there be a problem, surely that’s enough!
Comments
-
Sure, some CL owners have other things to do and won't always be on hand for new arrivals. But in those circumstances a simple information board and a mobile contact number is something which some site owners manage to provide.
1 -
We turn up and if there is no instruction of where to pitch we use common sense and pitch in an available area and then get on with our holiday. At some time over our stay we will meet the owners or not as the case may be. That doesn't spoil our enjoyment of their site
11 -
+1, I’m not a fan of ‘hoverers’, I like the tranquility that is offered, that flies out of the window with an over indulgent host. Luckily I’m my experience they have been too busy for that👍🏻. I will seek em out before leaving time-perfect😊
6 -
We've never had anything to complain about as far as CL owners are concerned. Maybe we've been lucky, but on the only two (I think) occasions when the owners haven't been there to greet us there have been clear indications as to where we should pitch.
Maybe it's a sign of recent converts to CLs from main sites being used to the meet & greet reception on arrival at such sites. If they persevere, they'll get used to it!
3 -
Agree. It’s another world using CLs. Just enjoy the generosity and ambience. 😁
1 -
As a CL owner and one that does not live on the site and also works around the area, it is a job to meet & greet every member. I normally explain in the email booking confirmation any information required and if not going to be able to meet and greet them I leave information on site in the information shelter. They can help themselves on arrival. I normally then collect the payment after returning from work and check every thing is OK. So far not had any issues with this, they can also contact me by text or phone any time should they have a problem or need to know something, as I live in the nearby village
I think our Clubs great CL network is something to be proud of, it has been a mainstay of the caravan world for as long as caravans have been around!
Certificated Locations (CLs) are hidden gems and the club boasts it has over 2200 small five-van sites that are exclusively for its members. The great thing is these sites are very diverse from mini style clubsites to Off-Grid sites.
The problem is the numbers keep declining and I guess the club website site will have to amend the boast of over 2200 soon as currently 2208!
The answer to not losing CLs has to be “Use it or lose it” the club need to promote them more!10 -
Absolutely +1😁
0 -
+2
0 -
We arrived on one site just in front of another member. The owner wan't around but there was a notice board there stating which pitch had been allocated. No problems. the other member started to complain that they wanted someone at "reception" to advise them on where everything was etc. Yes, it was their first visit to a CL.
We told them where to go.
(You know, where the grey water went, where the water points were etc.but to be honest it wasn't rocket science).Like Rocky said, we don't like "Hoverers" (nice word Rocky) but like a word if applicable, ok with us if not.
3 -
We also love the CL network. It has involved sites of basic facilities to sites better than major sites. Each one is different and that is it's plus point. We have turned up not knowing what to expect, from totally absent owners to those always at home. We have met some wonderful owners who have become friends. So go with an open mind and you will certainly have some wonderful memories. After 35 years we most definitely have.
4 -
One of our favourite CL's, Fieldhead Farm, has enormous pitches. Its interesting to find caravans and motorhomes from new to CL members to be pitched to the 'peg' ie rear corner to the left end. Wheres we always pitch across the pitch, or diagonally. Old habits and roolz indoctrination takes time to forget.
Another favourite, Horthan Farm Field View has developed over the years and from saplings separating vast pitches, has dividing hedgerows, hardstandings with grass.
Another, Northfield Farm has a vast field with hard standing area to riverside grass if you have several extension leads to reach.
Another, Millway Farm is like your own mini site.
All are different. All provide information on booking to enable you to enjoy your holiday and understand how they operate.
Absolute gems, all of the CL network. Use it please.
2 -
Thanks for the references, KS, they are marked for future visits. Certainly look like the CLs that we like to use,
0 -
+1 Thanks KS.
0 -
We’re on a lovely CL in Devon. I’ve just checked the reviews and one of them says “we arrived on site tired and hungry, after a 10 hour drive, and no one was there to greet us” 😂.
When we arrived our name was on our pitch and the very nice owner arrived about 20 minutes later to greet us and tells us everything we needed to know.
0 -
We have not stayed on a great number of CLs but have spent quite a lot of nights on a few. We always phone and speak so know what to expect and have no problem being left to ourselves.
The CL Home Farm at Stoke Bruerne has no set pitches so it’s up to you and they empty the bins each day and if you want to speak you can.
2 -
The CL network is the main reason we belong to the club. We sometimes chuckle at people mentioning negative points, most of which we find to be positive points.
If the owners all operated in exactly the same way, some people would complain about that.
6 -
I am a CL owner, I run my own business and my wife works full time. In addition we also have 2 young children. It is not physically possible to meet every arrival but we do leave a reserved board on a pitch with a name on it so guests know where they should be.
I will always make the effort to say hello to the arrivals as soon as I physically can and we have never had an issue. It is very simple to explain this when a booking is made
Whilst we go to the effort of doing this we do get some members who ignore the boards and choose a different pitch which just causes a problem in busy times!
0 -
"we do leave a reserved board on a pitch with a name on it so guests know where they should be"
"Whilst we go to the effort of doing this we do get some members who ignore the boards and choose a different pitch which just causes a problem in busy times"
Having yet to experience a CL, I do not like the thought of being told what pitch I have to go on (had enought of that on commercial and C&CC sites)
Is that the normal practice for CL sites?
Thats why I like CMC sites as when you arrive they say "Off you go and find a pitch you like, let us know which one"
On a CL I would have thought it would be easy, shall I have that pitch or that one over there? It's not like you have to drive (walk) around the site a couple of times to choose?
0 -
It’s not the way on all CLs, Harribo, but this CL owner obviously has his reasons and it's his prerogative to do things that way. Perhaps the pitches differ and maybe they aren’t all suitable for all units. If so, I can understand that pitch allocation could be sensible.
0 -
Long live the CL network - we are presently on a wonderful CL at Whin Yeats, Hutton roof, Carnforth, - £10 per night including electricity - and some of the best views in England. The view is from our kitchen window.
John
2 -
Most of our caravanning is done on CLs and we've never had a problem regarding allocated pitches. If the owner wants to run his/her site that way so be it. It doesn't happen very often, but as TW said it's the owners perogative and they may well have a particular reason for doing it that way.
0 -
WK, I've often looked at using that site but am unsure of the road up to it as we have quite a large unit and the road looks rather narrow and steep in places. What's you're opinion on the access, if you don't mind me asking?
0 -
Hi nellie - the unclassified road from the B road is fine - take it slow and look for the numerous passing places - plenty of potholes near the top of the hill and the farm track.
The site listing shows a pub within one mile - it's 4 miles away.
Our outfit is wider than most at 8 foot and 26 foot long plus motorbike trailer - give it a go its well worth it.
John
0 -
Just to explain we often have groups of friends who want to park on pitches together and also Motor Homes who prefer to be located near the entrance.
I also think it's good practice to put families with children on our end pitch as kids then play away from other members and not disturb anyone.
I belive that if someone takes the time to book early and request a specific pitch for a reason then I should do all I can to accommodate them
It's certainly not the same as a commercial site as each guest has plenty of space and the pitches are not crammed in.
Never had any issues or complaints with this approach and we have turned about 15 people away this week as we are fully booked 👍
1 -
Makes sense to me 👍🏻
1 -
Thanks, will definitely have a think about it, although not too sure about the potholes. Not bother about the pub, plenty of beer in the van.
0 -
Is there a link to your site Stuh, if so why not add it to your postings? You may find that you get more enquiries for pitches.
0 -
Hi, the CL is Mount Pleasant Farm, Skinners Bottom, Redruth TR 16 5DU
www.caravan-club-cornwall.co.uk
0 -
Thought so. We enjoyed our stay there last year. Hope you're doing well.
0
