Club pitch prices
Comments
-
There are certainly plenty of other options out there...the Club option was always easy...find site, good booking terms, mid range price, decent cancellation conditions...
things are changing with the clubs USP of 'free' changes of heart within 72 hrs now a thing of the past and deposits to find, just like other providers.
now it's more down to location, if you want a 'proper' camps site (although commercials are likely to give more physically for your money) or a move towards CL type sites or even THS temporary holiday sites that can be found close to town centres for about £10 - £12 a night.
some who've never considered straying from the Club portfolio are now looking around at other options.
2 -
If you get a van with good on board facilities, you can make your money go a lot further by using CLs, with or without facilities. No need to use Club sites at all. Commercial sites can also be less expensive and have better facilities. The Camping and Caravanning Club offer good discounts to the over 60s in the mid and low seasons, they also have their CS network.
As an example, we are coming to the end of a 5 week tour, 1 large commercial, taking along our daughter and 2 grandchildren for 7 nights, 3 CLs, 3 CCC sites and one small commercial (no facilities but all pitches serviced). Average cost per night works out at just under £22. Least expensive was a serviced CL at £17.50.
The no facilities Club sites can also be good VFM.
We have not used any Club sites in the last 2 years, but remain members for the CL network.
0 -
From memory (not too good today so may be wrong) I believe the current membership is at an all time high of 380,000 'households'? And the highest re-joining rate ever too (why are people re-joining so much- can't all be for the non site uses?)
But the membership figure therefore does literally count, as 380,000 times £50 for a household is over £19 million. Not bad?
0 -
...and, for what it's worth, I also reckon £36.50 at Chatsworth is a pretty hefty price for a club site in November....I'd be as unlikely to pay that as to cough up £55 in August, let alone over £61 for a 'Super Pitch'...💷💷💷
Clearly over 100 of us don’t think the same YT, in November 20 of its 30 days are sold out on all pitch types, as I pointed out November isn’t out of season for Chatsworth and the £36.50 we are paying is for a super pitch.1 -
You’ve got a good memory ED as that was in May 21.
As it was during covid there were limited sites available given the notice we were given of closure and that one was the only one available for where we wanted to be / visit. So yes in that respect it was value for money. Location trumps most other considerations in our site selection.
1 -
But there is a CS and a CL not far away. A few miles of a drive, park the car for £5 - 10 ( can't remember how much), walk along the public footpath, pass the Club site and wander around the grounds of Chatsworth for free. We then retraced our steps and caught the bus to to Bakewell for free. I personally cannot see what Chatsworth has to offer for more than 1/2 a day.
0 -
You and me both.
I went to Chatsworth with the school and again many years later with OH, who had not been. I can't see that we would ever visit again.
I know some people like to keep going back to the same places time and time again but it's not for us and certainly not at those prices.
1 -
Obviously “value for money “ differs for everyone, but 4 nights at Old Hartley at the end of June and the site was full every night. If you want 5 star sites with dependable facilities then the club is for you. If you want to take a risk there are plenty of alternatives - join them but don’t keep moaning on about prices here!
1 -
That would be fine if price was not so over inflated as opposed to other sites of equal standard that charge much less because they are not greedy. But for those who want to pay through the nose go ahead.
3 -
Talking of Cl's and CS's I too have restricted the amount of Club site usage this year,because of the cost.
However I have used an excellent CL (my opinion)near Lincoln at a £20 pn but maximum usage was only 3 vans over 5 days,early part of the week we were the only van there.
A very acceptable CS near Crowborough (Hartfield) at £17.00 with pubs very near and peaceful just 1 motorhome visited for 1 night during my 3 night stay.
Another CS near Canterbury at £22.00 mixed views on here though so cannot recommend,I was the only van in my 3 nights.
In my opinion I have seen no increase in these sites being used more.
0 -
Yes, I know thanks😁 Chatsworth is not far from where we live, so it’s a day trip, 45 minute drive for us. We have family in Bakewell as well. So it’s not a Club Site we have used, or to be honest ever considered. We used to go to Horse Trials and Game Fair, both good events. Been round House, Gardens, Farmyard a couple of times and walked estate as well. But it’s a once a decade thing for us. Much prefer Haddon Hall, we usually go there every year on way to a CL at Cromford. I can understand folks who don’t live close wanting to see Chatsworth, but I certainly couldn’t fill a week on site there, not without driving out elsewhere. Baslow is pretty, but not much there.
Do Members who use site get any kind of discount to go into House at all?1 -
Is it greed or is it justified due to operating costs? I don’t think anyone on here is qualified to make that distinction.
Paying through the nose is subjective as what one person considers expensive, another thinks is acceptable. It’s down to individual views and freedom of choice. We shouldn't assume our personal views are shared by all.
2 -
I do think attendance has dropped. I recall having to book club sites in advance because if I did not they got fully booked. Now it is pretty much to get a last minute booking. So it does seem the customer base has decreased for what ever reason.
1 -
I think what annoys me about Club sites is that there is clearly an element of profiteering going on. By way of an example - last November, we stayed at the Bridlington site - on a serviced pitch - in November - and it was £28.80 per night.
This year - and mainly for convenience - and in recognition of Ros's current health problems - we have decided to spend Christmas at the same site. Not very adventurous, I know - being only about 30 minutes from home, but we do like to go away over Christmas. Standard hard-standing pitch - not fully serviced - £45.10 per night.
I'm fully aware of the arguments about supply and demand and Christmas being considered a peak period - and I have agreed to pay it - BUT - is such an increase really justified given that running costs have probably dropped slightly in the meantime?
Apart from a week away, later this month at the NYM site (booked again for the same reasons as above), these will be the only occasions we will be staying on a Club site, this year.
0 -
Taken from earlier post - “Paying through the nose is subjective as what one person considers expensive, another thinks is acceptable. It’s down to individual views and freedom of choice. We shouldn't assume our personal views are shared by all.”
Probably correct although choosing a pitch provider for me is down to finding one that I feel gives me VFM the same as any other type of ‘shopping’ I do. I find I now think of CAMC as just another pitch provider rather than a club.
Maybe CAMC have achieved their aim to stop late cancellations by introducing deposits though I guess other factors may also affect people booking ahead as there does appear to be aa fair few pitches available for the next two weeks via late availability.
I don’t recall CAMC having offers prior to the deposit introduction and their recent offers seem to be based around deposits.
1 -
Personally, I prefer taking the risk; but then I like adventure.
It is less of a risk these days with all the reviews available via Apps and the internet. However the real ambiance and value for money can never be captured in reviews and descriptions and can only be appreciated by staying on them, so there is still a bit of an adventure left. The surprise of a different but really good site gives one a very warm and happy feeling.
peedee
3 -
Probably correct although choosing a pitch provider for me is down to finding one that I feel gives me VFM the same as any other type of ‘shopping’ I do. I find I now think of CAMC as just another pitch provider rather than a club.
I would agree with that. The CAMC would have been our default provider when they had their USP. Now the other club is first on the list, then CAMC followed by others. However, for us it isn’t just about money, the site has to be where we want to be, not 20 miles away. For us that factor weighs as much on the VFM scale as GBP.
The club did do offers before the new system, they were better than currently in my opinion. Mid week discount and kids free or £1 are two I remember.
1 -
"If you want 5 star sites with dependable facilities then.........."
not sure I would fill in the blanks with the same answer....
DD has summed things up very well...customers know (certainly 'knew') what they get with the CAMC 'brand' but perhaps some members feel they aren't getting the same return back for their loyalty.
the gap between prices and the other elements a Club site (best terms etc) has widened, with the Club model not really able to 'give' more to the customer...it generally doesn't do extra facilities like bars, restaurants, pools etc.
ANPR and swift checking in is a good thing, as is the potential to go non-EHU (by not activating a metering bollard) is welcomed but these may take a good while to be fully implemented.
OTOH, the booking system has polarised opinion, as has the change in T/Cs along with the gradual closing of site shops...along with second facilities blocks being closed for 'no apparent reason'.
The Club used to present tidy sides but reports of No Mow May running into July and the associated untidy/scruffy appearance has led to some interesting site reviews.
however, prices rise continually and folk might be having to think harder about whether the Club remains the default choice.
others have stated that the Club isn't interested in the views on CT...the sample is too small....that may be the case, but this thread (and the other two prices ones) certainly show that folk are thinking harder about just clicking the button.
4 -
Club did have offers before the new deposit scheme, the best being discounts mid week on certain sites. This had been around for a very long time, and made staying on a Club Site comparable with choosing a CL or private site in some instances. A variation was introduced a few months ago, but at far less sites, a set period, and had to be booked in advance.
With a bit of research, it’s never been easier to find decent “adventure” type Sites and CLs. We are currently pitched up in a beautiful sheltered and quiet paddock, behind a secured gate with CCTV, glorious views and surrounding countryside, wildlife comes to us, taps and waste close by, hook up (not metered), hardstanding or grass, metres of space (Club would have 20 pitches or so in same space🤣), lots to do and see locally. Yesterday the owner opened up and cut the grass in an adjacent paddock for us as he noticed our elderly pooch was struggling a bit to go far, so private dog walking area now😁 We extended our stay on arrival, Monday to Monday has cost us just £120. Even for a CL an absolute bargain at the moment.
4 -
Thanks SteveL and Takethedogalong - I had forgotten about the old mid-week discount which I did use and would probably use again if it were available. Like SteveL location is important to us and we always manage to find somewhere that suits us.
1 -
YT wrote
I was interested to read that DK stayed at Swiss Farm in Henley rather than the Clubs Four Oaks site next door...he reported that he enjoyed the extra facilities of bar/restaurant, swimming pool etc....it also has large hedge divided pitches and was similarly priced.
Ditto..stayed there last year as no service pitches at Henley Four Oaks..far superior pitches and services and cheaper (dates dependant / regatta etc) !! You can also reserve your pitch..
0 -
Sorry yes, I should have named it, think I did on another thread😁
It’s Casthorpe House Farm, not far from Grantham. Nice location, easy access from A1, although you do need to use CL details and not a Sat Nav🤣 Canal walk is around 400 metres away, lovely pub around 3/4 mile on banks of canal. Quiet roads for cycling, plenty of walks, Gardens, NT and HHA properties. We are using it rather than Ferry Meadows now. Haven’t seen a bus stop anywhere, so it’s one to use your MH from, unless in a caravan. They have secure storage as well. One of those little places that as PD says, makes you smile as you arrive.😁
3 -
To deduce (as some have) that because CL/CS prices are much lower than Club pricing, the ‘Club’ is profiteering shows a woeful (but not surprising in this socialist country we now have) lack of understanding of the different business models. The vast majority of CL/CS sites are a business sideline and certainly do not generate a full time equivalent income, nor have those overheads. No one, I repeat no one is forced to use club sites. As yet until nationalised, we still have the freedom to choose where we go for holidays in the UK. If you don't like CAMC prices, go elsewhere. Everyone is wanting a pay rise but expects some inflation defying magic money tree to pay for it. Energy costs are annihilating business and a large contributor to inflation. However If running a caravan site is as profitable as keeps being suggested on this forum, I am amazed those members haven’t opened their own caravan site business!
0
