Alternative sites

Geoffnick
Geoffnick Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited December 2022 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

In September this year my wife and I decided we would have a change from our favourite CAMC club sites in Devon and booked a Tranquil adult only site in Devon. Wow were we surprised, when we arrived the pitch that had been allocated to us was still in use so we were offered a choice and picked one with excellent views. We were then informed because it was a slightly smaller pitch they would give us a refund of £82  yes can you believe that. This site had absolutely excellent facilities with free WIFI A TV lounge with pool table, free tea and coffee  a serviced pitch for 2 adults and caravan for less than £25 per night. I have just looked at a CAMC site in Yorkshire,  a standard pitch not serviced and no WIFI,  in March 2023 cost £33.70 per night. Can I justify that ? absolutely not .

 We have been members of this club  since 1993 and 10 years ten years before that when our children were young, is it time to say goodbye ?, I will have to give this some serious consideration before my renewal next August 

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Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,138 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2022 #2

    Well done, GN. Alternatives are out there and some of those Tranquil AO sites are really nice. Plough Lane at Chippenham was a cracker when we used it a few years ago. Not all are as reasonably priced as the one you used though. 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited December 2022 #3

    It seems to be the future for many of this clubs members staying on non this clubs sites ,us included,, and we have in the past used  this clubs sites as the first choice surprised

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636 ✭
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    edited December 2022 #4

    I notice that Naburn Locks at York, which started out as a CL I think, is now one of Tranquil Sites group

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,859 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2022 #5

    I suspect most motorhomers, that don't tow a car, are more inclined to select sites for the convenience of their location. Whilst price will be a consideration for some, many will be prepared to pay a little more if they are "nearer things" rather than being out in the countryside. When we caravanned it didn't really matter where the site was but since owning a motorhome that has become a more important factor for us. Having said that we have used four non Club sites this year (would have been five had we not caught COVID!) and the pricing has been very similar to what we have paid on Club sites and in some case the latter have actually been a little cheaper. What next year will bring we don't yet know as we have not made any firm plans.

    David

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited December 2022 #6

    Many commercial 'groups' out there (Tranquil Sites, Best of Britain etc) where certain standards are common but also many, many stand alone private sites that are easily a match for both clubs in terms of facilities, cleanliness, etc.

    as others have said, watch out for T\C if these are important but the Club itself  is moving quickly towards a much tougher stance in this area. 

    it's certainly possible to get top class sites with pools, bar, restaurant, walks, lakes etc, etc yet still be within walking distance of a busy town and to be priced competitively.

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