Club v Commercial sites
We have just returned from a lovely holiday in Devon. However, thought I would just share the cost of 2 sites with you. 11 days at Hillhead cost us £339, then moved to Woodlands to the other side of the river to meet up with friends, 5 days cost £65. Hillhead full, on arrival we got the last available pitch; Woodlands about half full! Facilities very similar as pool at Hillhead was not open. Food for thought.
Comments
-
some folk rarely move from the Club portfolio, even if an alternative were adjacent and may provide more at a similar price.
no problem with that, we all choose what suits us...
a few years ago we wanted to visit Henley and booked at Four Oaks, typical club site, usual layout, pitch and shower block but a bit shady due to the 'Four Oaks'...
when we strolled into town, we passed another site, obviously closer to Henley and thought we would check it out...
bigger pitches, less crowding, pool, bar, restaurant, far better showers/loos and pretty much identical price....more like the top line Continental sites we were used to.
as earlier, closer to town and could choose which pitch...
we moved site and have been returning since then...in fact here now and booked for New Year.
weve used four Club sites in this tour (all were fine) but none are anywhere near the standard of Swiss Farm.
...of course, not everyone wants a pool etc, but just the space and overall cleanliness of the place is a good notch up on 'Club'...different staffing structure which allows for multiple tasks to be performed concurrently rather than sequentially...
1 -
Yes but not really a honest comparison as you're quoting the adult 5 night midweek special which is only available on three separate occasions (6th June, 11th and 18th of July).
Go any other time and it's get more expensive. In peak it would be, with 10A EHU, £44.50 for a minimum two night stay, or £39.50 for three nights or more.
Additionally an awning (no groundsheets) is an extra £4 per night, as is a dog. Any extra adults are charged at £8.50 per night, plus a £50 deposit per week paid. The balance must be paid upfront 28 days before your arrival. I can't find anything about refunds.
As you say food for thought indeed.
Post edit they also say that in peak you get only have a minimum of two nights if you are prepared to have a sloping pitch! If you want a level pitch then the minimum is three nights.
During the Summer Holidays (23rd July – 2nd September 2021) the minimum booking period is:
2 nights for an electric / non electric pitch on our informal area, with pitches on a slope.
3 nights for an electric / non electric level terraced pitchPost edit part 2.
Upon cancellation or reduction of the period booked, monies paid will be retained to cover losses. No money can be refunded for curtailment of the period booked FOR ANY REASON. This condition will be strictly applied; therefore insurance is advised.
so cancel and you lose all you've paid, leave early and no refund. As I said food for thought indeed.
0 -
Woodlands in peak season is mayhem and packed and expensive due to the adjoining theme park. Out of peak it's selling pitches cheap to get some footfall.
I could suggest a nearby CL that, to me, is preferable in every way.
1 -
and yes I agree, if you can makes those dates it's a very good deal and it always pays to look for such deals. I Hope someone reading this will make use of those dates?
0 -
I am a single tourer with 2 dogs so CMHC, Club sites work out very reasonable for me. I have stayed on 2 CLs, both costing more than I would pay on nearly all CMHC sites and 2 "commercial" sites, costing £24.00 and £20.00 a night which, although pleasant enough, were not as good a standard of CMHC sites (and over 3 years ago so are now more expensive) but I stayed at them due to their locations. I would use commercial sites more (out of season when it is quieter) if they were cheaper but most sites charge per pitch and often extra for each pet. I also have a dread of noisy neighbours who make a noise in the late evening and feel that I may be less likely to come across them if I stayed on CMHC sites.
0 -
I find it revealing that a moderator on this forum, and member of the Club council, stays at a commercial site when he comes toCornwall. The site which says our reception is open at 9 am. but if you think you will arrive earlier than that we would appreciate a phone call to let us know. Different isn’t it.
0 -
Given the choice between the two sites you mentioned I'd plump for Hillhead, yes, it might sometimes (but not always) cost more but it's where it is that counts with me. My family have used Woodlands in the past, the main attraction being the theme park. It was expensive in the main season! We've used Hillhead a lot, often making use of the mid week discounts away from the main season. I think it's in a good spot generally with access to the Dart too. Even when it's very busy at Hillhead the smaller enclaves make it quieter unless you're close to the social complex or road.
Deleted User User mentioned Carnon Downs, the club are running the bookings, you need to get in touch with CAMC but they are also honouring previous bookings on the Carnon Downs system.
0 -
Carnon Downs.......... it’s an ok Site, but to be honest, the location isn’t the best Cornwall has to offer. It’s inland, just off a major road, and depending on when you go, that road can get very busy. Godrevy is much nicer, you are straight onto some lovely beaches from there. And dare I say, iconic Cornwall on Lands End and Lizard Peninsulas. Looe I would rate a far nicer Club Site than Carnon Downs as well AD. That area gets busy, but is stunningly beautiful.
You can have the nicest pitches and easiest facilities, but if you are stuck in traffic every ride out, it soon gets a tad wearing. 😁
1 -
And there are other commercial sites down here which say of course you can reserve a particular pitch, maybe the one you liked last year (they have a record), or two pitches together for friends, or a pitch in the dog area or the no dog area, and would you like to reserve a grass pitch or one with hard standing….and so on.
0 -
how could i possibly forget....you tell me (incorrectly) so regularly
however, the point is what is on offer for the price re: location, facilities etc.
the Club runs its sites to a particular staffing model which cannot lend itself to work in the same way as some (more fully staffed) sites do.
reception open all day, dedicated staff.....dedicated cleaning staff operating all day with multiple cleaning times that don't impact on customers, dedicated ground staff etc, etc...
BTW, you need to review your 'sources'...
SF has far, far more touring pitches than 'park homes'...
in fact, it has around 10 'park homes' and only 2 'glamping' cedar lodges....everything else is touring.
so hardly "the main income and staffing levels are based on swiss farm being a park home and holiday home site". totally the contrary.
0 -
I don’t do buses in any shape or form if I can avoid it😁 Mind, there is a nice coastal hopper that tours Lands End, if it’s still on the go. Double decker, top deck is open.
That’s actually another plus for Godrevy Site. You can use the St Ives branch line from Lelant, no St Ives parking problems then👍 Or into Penzance, or up to Truro! Even better if you have a free rail pass like you and AD👍0 -
Staffing level a SF are higher because of the park home and holiday homes and the facilities they need to clean , and grass needed to be maintained and is of course far larger than club sites,
So is a completely different set up as many commercial organisations you use Haven etc which cannot be compared to either of the two major clubs are set up to cater for
0 -
We think it makes life a lot easier for us by mixing our Sites up. We will use whatever gets us the best value for money in the area we want to visit. Sometimes you drop on a great deal, sometimes it’s better to pay that little bit more to get exactly what you want. Club Sites are decent value for us outside of busy times, at other times a nice CL or small private Site fits the needs and budget more. If, when, Marazion Club Site goes, It won’t be a club Site for us in Summer down there though.
0 -
This is a cracking Site, in a great location. We stayed many years ago, back in the 1980’s when it was very different, a family run Site. Very niche, no idea what the prices are like, although doubt it’s cheap, but might suit some. It’s around half a mile from the Marazion Club Site, so a lovely location.....
There’s an obvious reason we we don’t go😂
0 -
Is it you don't have a colour compliant wind break, or is it the size of your 4x4 ?
0 -
Strewth, and to think people say CAMC have too many site rules!😱
2 -
😂😂😂 Wayfarers is legendary. We stayed back in the 1980’s when it appeared to be run on strict army lines, everyone parked up straight, guy lines taught, and you laid out your kit for daily inspection😂 Baring in mind we were in our tiny, tiny A60 Caravette, we felt honoured to be allowed onto the Site in the first place. (Actually, at the time, less hassle than having to demonstrate how our camper worked as we did to Club Wardens🤷♀️). So far us it was entertaining for a few nights. It’s forever known as “Colonel Blimp’s “ Site to us. What they made of our touring Rottweiler we never found out, but dogs have been “verboten” for a long time. As have children....nasty noisy little beasts🤣 It is popular though, great location. We stayed in a cottage just over the road in St Hilary, nice village.
0 -
…..there was a time when they wouldn't allow T/A vans but I think the colour of your windbreak has surpassed that🤣🤣
0 -
It’s nice AD, we love this part of Cornwall. Away from hotspots like Penzance and St Ives, this part of Cornwall tends not to be quite as busy, although August gets a bit frantic. It’s a good bit further on, takes us hour and a half towing from Marazion to Okehampton on a good run. Much more rugged and dare I say less touristy. It was easily a 10 hour tow for us, with stops, but we seldom did it in one long go, we’ed overnight somewhere at least once. There are some fabulous beaches, a good few with lots of space, even in August. More if you are prepared to walk a bit. Great gardens, pubs, eateries. We used to go to a lot of local shows down there, brilliant day out most of them. It can be a lot drier on Lizard as well, doesn’t rain that much right at the toe end. It all drops further up County😁
0 -
"I find it revealing that a moderator on this forum, and member of the Club council, stays at a commercial site when he comes toCornwall"
Why? What on earth is the relevance of being a moderator on this forum got to do with anyone's choice of site? I fail to see the correlation.
3 -
Yes that's us out, wrong colour wind break. It's nice to hear about other sites but....
I have to say that the Penzance area has expanded quite a bit over the years too.
The Roseland still offers some tranquility. Trethem Mill is popular if you like adults only sites.
0 -
I spied a dog and a striped windbreak!😱
Nice looking site. It’s a bit further down the lanes than Merrose Farm if I remember correctly.
0 -
I thought Nav was joking🤣 Seems not so. I bet they inspect knicker drawers, just like that crazy bit off the CLub’s ill fated TV series.....🤣🤣
I feel mischief coming on for September, might have to visit......
0
