Steamer Quay refurb removal of non EHU pitches
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I wonder if some of the pros and cons of this discussion have a generational aspect to them. Anyone over, say, 60 and has been camping for some years will no doubt remember sites that were much more basic than they are today. Predominately grass pitches, often not all pitches with EHU. Those under 60 are likely to have experience a different type of campsite. All pitches with EHU, a majority of hardstandings and a proportion of those serviced. The age chosen was arbitrary, it could be 50,55,65 but you get the idea. It is rather ironic that all the posts I see on Facebook asking for CL recommendations seem to demand EHU, hardstandings and toilets as a minimum requirement, don't recall seeing many requests for CL's with no facilities and grass pitches! It could be the latter is what people imagine CL's to be. So in the same way people who have grown up more recently with camping as their holiday choice demand more than those that have been doing it for longer?
David
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I don’t think the age thing necessarily follows, David.
Corners and BB will be approximately the same age - chalk and cheese in respect of their site requirements.
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I think that those newer to camping do, at least initially, expect more. And I guess the apparent increased popularity of small pop top camper vans also leads to wanting shower blocks.
With CLs I think there has been some increase in popularity from people new to CLs and so they are expecting mini sites. It really is a shame that the Club doesn’t cherish its CL network and have more articles in the mag and info on the web site really explaining CLs. I think some are scared of no facility sites. They probably wouldn’t use the no toilet block Club sites.
As for SQ by removing all non ehu pitches they are removing a facility that was used. Those members now have less choice. I would have thought that all pitches being no awning was going to reduce the likelihood of families staying for about a week or more. Certainly when we caravanned with family if we were parked up for a week we wanted the full awning just to spread out, dry washing, store chairs etc. The Club has the opportunity to do something innovative at SQ by either metering ALL electricity use or by enabling the bollard to be switched on or off. Will they show that imagination? I doubt it.
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Lot of sense in last few posts. Certainly we started when sites and outfits were basic, and having learned all the eco tricks, the ability to “make do because it’s camping”, we are still very happy on basic sites. Helped by not owning a power hungry outfit, that we have hardly modified.
I can empathise with those who want more comfort as well, and who want an easy life nowadays camping, happy to pay whatever is asked. Outside of CLs, this is very much becoming the Club model. Doesn’t give us as much choice, but we look beyond the Club Site model in most instances.
It would be very hard to define a typical camper, too many variables at play. I think Club has an idea of its main users, and caters accordingly.
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Interestingly, and speaking for ourselves, over the last year or so we have drifted away from CAMC offerings, one of the nice things about Steamer Quay is that the grass pitches and "camping" style (although with wash block facilities there as back up) have attracted younger families and people enjoying a more laid back holiday style, often with a VW and an awning, plus boating people with canoes etc. Lots of bikes and walkers too.
I don't know the age of people on your FB group David but I suspect they are older and may not be interested in getting back to basics but a lot of people out there still enjoy the simple life style that other camp sites provide. You don't see this group of people on CAMC sites as the offerings are very limited but you see it on other sites.
I'm guessing CAMC is finding it easier to standardise every site and those not wanting or needing this will drift off elsewhere as we have now tended to do.
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If anyone's interested all the ongoing site developments are listed here.
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/uk-holidays/uk-sites/club-campsites/site-redevelopments/
The biggest plans appear to be at Bingham Grange.
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2014 was the last time I spent the majority of nights away on C&MC sites. From 2015 onwards they have not been top of my list of go to places and I have spent more time on other types of sites. Last year only 14 pecent (11 nights) of my nights away were spent on C&MC sites. I don't see it getting any better in 2023 in fact as I will be back to touring on the Continent it could be very much worse. Price rises are making it harder to justify paying for facilities I do not need, therefore the up grade of SQ is unlikely to prove attractive especially for short stays.
peedee
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Brue said “You don't see this group of people on CAMC sites as the offerings are very limited but you see it on other sites.”
Totally agree Brue. The mix of age groups, outfit types/age, singles, adventure types is much greater away from Club Sites. We often pitch up next door to a tent, a backpacker, cycling tourists, very small one person conversions, roof tents etc…. Different touring world elsewhere.
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Brue
As to age of people on Facebook, it is a guess on my part, but I would imagine younger than retired. Pretty wide ranging I know! I would also reckon fairly new to the hobby as I would have thought the longer you have been caravanning or motorhoming you would know some pretty basic things which are asked? I suppose what will be interesting when Steamer Quay refurbishment is completed whether there will be a complete change of clientele or will previous customer also use it or shun it? It's on my list and if I get there I will report back.
David
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I'm not sure that your comment regarding age of Facebook users is entirely true, from the ones I follow many people are in their 50s and 60s. I would have thought that the younger generation have moved onto WhatsApp, Twitter etc.
Whilst many on here seem to be anti Facebook, it maybe be simply because FB is really a question and answer format and not a place to chat.
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50% extra, chargeable wifi and a £50 odd membership fee, perhaps it is time for that 'rethink of what you get from the club'?
I use my phone for all the Internet I need whilst away and this is for info only about the surrounding area so the cost is one I don't spend.
The membership fee is soon recouped on a weeks stay with the site fee savings made as a member.
I also feel that the club sites offer spacious pitches and well kept and clean facilities this to me is worth the extra.
We also use CLs with or without facilities as these are good value for money, this is reflected in us choosing a CL for our summer break in Saundersfoot.
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Another way of getting your membership fee back is to use the offers. We have still pay any membership fee over our 20+ years and we're still in credit by a long way.
+1 to all the rest
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I believe these are savings with entry fees to certain places and also we make a massive saving on caravan insurance by being with the club and Green Flag breakdown cover with or without the van in tow.
Compared to other breakdown cover we found on average we save about 50% compared to the big two and having had to use Green flag last year they are prompt and professional, hope this helps answer your question.
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We got £1000 worth of accessories on our then new tow car which we used to get a factory fitted KIA detachable towbar and electrics (and I only mentioned it once the deal had been agreed) and one Christmas we got all our one year's membership fee back in just one visit to Cotswolds though usually it's spread over the year with the various offers.
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I am not suggesting older people don't use Facebook, otherwise I wouldn't be there
All I am saying is that the type and how the questions are asked point to a slightly younger/less experienced demographic. You can also tell by the pictures they post! Personally I find Facebook very useful especially the specialist groups for your brand of motorhome or caravan. As you say from a discussion point of view it's here today and gone tomorrow.David
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Well our van insurance was cheaper elsewhere. Maybe another difference between caravans & motorhomes? We used to insure the caravan with the Club but when we swapped to a motorhome, much cheaper elsewhere.
We do use mayday.
That is the only "savings" we have ever made. I dont count comparing club sites with/without membership - I see member price as normal and non member as paying a surcharge.
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We usually take advantage of some of the Great Days Out offers, usually 2 for 1 into attractions. In the past we have had cheap tickets on North York Moors Railway, Eden Camp, etc…. Discount at Mountain Warehouse. I know someone who got a big discount on a Volvo. Covered a few year’s worth of Membership fees.
I will try and find link for current offers…👍
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/membership/great-savings-guide/
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We have had a few savings over the years, towbar, washing machine, a few days out vouchers etc.
Ferries I can usually get as good as or better elsewhere.related
Caravan and MH insurance again cheaper and better elsewhere. We do use the house insurance though as it's 90 day cover is good.
We did used to use RP but like lots of things club related it's now to expensive and we have found an alternative.
I would use SQ in either format if I was in the area but I'm guessing in the new format it would be above my price range.
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I agree that yes you probably can get cheaper deals but at what level, my current level with Green Flag covers 3 cars home start and European cover plus any car cover.
The caravan cover is maybe due to the fact our van is in COSSOA Gold level storage so halved my premium.
So yes I feel I get a good deal, but again we all have the choice to make our minds up in all decisions we make regardless of what it might be.
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My MH insurance has gone down for each of the last three years and can't be matched by the Club despite our van being at home.
your insurance might be lower for keeping a van in storage but I couldn't be doing with that hassle. The convenience of having the MH at home far outweighs any potential premium, however my insurance (incl European recovery) is based on the van being at home and I doubt it would be any cheaper if in storage.
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That's rather an odd way of looking at it in my opinion.
How can something that is purely optional be a penalty? No non-member has to use club sites. I certainly won't be.
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