Support the CL network
I joined the club in 1983 purely to access the 5 van sites. The number of cls were increasing in those dim distant days and in 1984 reached over 4000. This number is now only just over 2000 and without members support will continue to fall. With the social distancing likely to be the new norm these sites are ideal. Use them or loose them
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There are a few of us on here who are similarly minded and judging by some recent posts a lot more people seem to be coming to the same conclusion regarding social distancing. It is certainly an opportunity for those cl owners who are able to advertise to attract new trade. I just hope I'll still be able to get booked into a few of my favourites when they are "discovered"😀
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Have not used cl's much in the past but after the way we are being treated by our DG the CL network will be my 1st choice, that is if I renew my membership
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We discovered CLs relatively late in our caravanning career, but having discovered them, never found one we wouldn't return to which is more than I can say for many "high end" sites. If we were continuing to tour in a caravan we'd be using them pretty much exclusively. Just have to hope, on members' behalf that the majority of them survive the current crisis.
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We do roughly 250 nights a year away in our caravan, and have done so for the last 18yrs or so, and we use CL's about 90% of the time. Just hope that there will be room on them when we are able to get out and about again, what with all these new to them threatening to fill up all the pitches.
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CL's are fine if they are A) in the right place and
have the right facilities. So for me A) means near somewhere to visit within easy walking distance or a bus ride away and I would prefer a hardstanding but not bothered about toilet blocks. Last year we used two CL's, the first time for many years. For us it's all about location and ease of getting around without the need to take the motorhome off site. I have done a bit of research and am making a list of possible CL's. Whether we get to use any this year is another matter! David
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Much easier with a caravan and a Sorento to enjoy life in the country!
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Admittedly some CLs may be off the beaten track but so can many Club sites. What CLs give you are variety and peacefulness at a great price. If your motorhome can get you there and then away to your next site, what is to stop you from using it ( if needed) whilst you are there.
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It was eight years of caravanning before I went to my first club site. I'd always go for a CL as a first option although I have stopped on a few that I wouldn't use other than as an overnight.
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Not sure if Derbyshire appeals, but have a look at Splash Farm, near Cromford. Individual landscaped pitches, grass but underpinned with plastic matting, so no sinking in! Site is picturesque, short walk into village with pub. Access onto canal path 200 metres from site that has lots of interest, lots of industrial archeology (World Heritage Site). Buses and trains into Matlock and elsewhere.
Its a beautiful place. It’s a stud farm primarily, so horses, but don’t think we saw cattle or sheep. Nice place to sit out as well.
Edit: got to add, that should you fancy visiting a very special place with the MH, Haddon Hall is not far away, and is possibly in our top three of best houses to visit. Huge car park, easy to park up. Short walk or buggy ride to house and gardens. Lovely cafe as well.
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It's lovely weather in Shropshire, but we are still waiting to hear when we can re-open our Caravan and Motorhome Club CL site.
4th July is looking like the earliest possible date and we are accepting provisional bookings from then on - please book online via our website.
https://www.birchhill.co.ukIan Kelly
01691 622951
Holiday@BirchHill.co.uk
Birch Hill, The Cross, Ellesmere, Shropshire, SY12 0LP
www.BirchHill.co.ukBirch Hill Farm - an award-winning hideaway in the beautiful lake-lands of Shropshire for members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club
If non-caravanning friends wish to join you, please see our new Glamping Pods - www.ArchersMeadow.co.uk1 -
Lots of the CLs which you think have been lost are still in business - their owners have realised the limitations of only taking members of this Club so they have widened their outlook to take a wider clientele, and to take rather more than five outfits according to the space they have have available.
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Thanks for the suggestion, I have added it to the list I am compiling.
David
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I agree - we've stayed at Splash Farm. It is a nice site, with lots to do in the locality. We had a week's worth of days out within about a 5-mile radius. Crich Tramway museum is worth a visit.
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We still need to get to you Ian, we drove through your area last year heading to a holiday cottage in Wales, with Mum. Overnighted at a lovely pub just on border. Nice area.
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Given that, based on recent revelations, significant distances may now be travelled, I would have thought that all CL's could now reasonably open enabling at least some of the economy could start to show those famous green shoots.
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I agree. It does seem odd that we are now allowed to travel any distance (as long as we maintain social distancing) presumably meaning the risk of spreading the infection to new areas and of overwhelming the NHS are both considered relatively low, and yet we are not allowed to stop overnight in any form of personal self contained accommodation.
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County Durham seems to have more relaxed rules.
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DK, I would have a good look through the small private site thread as well. There are some very very nice sites on there, most around the 30 pitches maximum, and I know the ones I have posted will be small and a good price. No doubt most will be putting in place their own risk assessment once they decide to open. A good few are indeed ex CLs that have decided to go it alone. Might just help fill a gap if you are thinking of a tour around a particular area, or a split location holiday. If you need something in particular, Nellie is your man!😁
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We have used CLs on an occasional basis over the past 15 years mainly just for an overnighter on our way somewhere. However over the past year or so we have been using CLs on a more regular basis mainly because we feel that club sites have been becoming very expensive. An example being we normally go to the clubs Blackpool site a couple of time’s a year but last year when booking for a few nights in the spring we were quoted over £40 per night so we found an excellent little CL about a mile away for £17 per night so in future we will be using that instead. With everything that is going on at them moment we are looking more and more at CLs with a view to using them on a more regular basis as it will feel a bit safer than being on a busy club site.
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We like CL’s mainly due to the price difference. Understandably as they don’t have the same infrastructure to maintain as a fully functioning site. We always use our own on board facilities anyway so why pay the extra? The Club sites we do use are increasingly the ‘no facilities’ sites, wish there were more of them.
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brentbill in fact today the number of CLs is 2167!
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 (this may have to be revised on the website soon!)
The great thing is these sites are very diverse from mini style clubsites to Off-Grid sites.
The answer to not losing CLs has to be “Use it or lose it”
Please do share your "little gems" and leave them reviews on the club website. Keeping them to yourself so they don't get busy may not be wise they may not be there next time you want to stay!2 -
Johnny, I suspect that the actual number of CL's at will open once lockdown has been eased sufficiently enough to do so will be a good few less than the number listed on the web site. From what was posted previously the CL section at HO had been furloughs so have not been able to keep the list updated.
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Losses like that are assuming Covid-like proportions or are owners voting with their feet and switching to other licensing organisations?
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