Caravan and camping club

[Yorkie]

Hi
Picking our van up on Friday. Off straight away for an initiation trip most likely to the Lake District. Having looked on-line for a site its hard to work out if we should join a club, the best winter sites seem to be on one of the following:

Any comments on Caravan Club or Camping Club etc. or any other?

Ian

 

[GrannyJen]

I am a member of both. Excellent facilities. A safe place to be for a maiden voyage as if anything goes wrong, does not work or is not there then at least you have warm showers, clean toilets, washing up areas etc.

I find them an excellent resource but one of many.

 

[2into1]

Yep for beginners. Both, or one at a time. Try for a year and decide for yourself, as you'll get many different opinions here.

 

[Borris]

We are also members of both clubs and as GJ has already said their facilities are great. Both clubs are not expensive to join and offer alot for the money.

 

[Yorkie]

Thanks for the info. Are there other clubs more suitable for campervans or are we allowed on all sites?

 

[Seaview]

We're members of both too and have been welcomed with no issues. However, one of the main differences that we've found is that The Caravan Club let you pick your own pitch and then you go back to the office and let them know your pitch number etc. The Caravan and Camping Club allocate a pitch to you when you arrive at reception.

 

[Blubus]

We are only six months into our California ownership and have been members of both clubs both of which have been brilliant. We will definitely be renewing next year. We have yet to use a Britstop.

 

[vmaxkiddy]

Both clubs offer various discounts and offers. CC gives you 50% discount on the M6 toll, for me that more than covers the cost of membership.

 

[calimera]

We used the discount from CC&C to get our Cali insurance.
Used the CC to get discount on sanef toll tag for motorways in France.

 

[MattBW]

Lake district sites are often National Trust, just be aware you don't get any discount by being a member of the Trust. Worth knowing.

The wasdale head site is a nice location, been snowed in there myself.

 

[Alan]

You can't go wrong joining a camping club in the first year of owning your Cali
You get to meet like minded people and a chance of some good ideas also you have the security of the site
I joined both the above mentioned clubs in my first year of owning my van and glad I did so but now prefere to find a wild pitch as and when I'm ready to,suits my way of solo traveling (much more exciting!)

Alan

 

[teeboy]

We never joined either of the UK clubs and survived just fine. In the UK we tended to use http://www.campingintheforest.co.uk/ which are just a chain of campsites with no membership required (they do appear to be converting some of the campsites to cabin only sites now though) If you want to be near specific towns I think the club sites might give more choice. If you are going to the coast then there is always a good choice of independants.

If you are venturing over to Europe out of season then Campingcard ACSI is a good idea - it will pay for itself over a few nights, and you get an excellent book listing loads of sites which is useful for planning trips (we really enjoyed planning our next trip with a bottle of wine while camping )

 

[briwy]

We are in the CCC simply to get the discount on travel. Saved the subscription two times over this year. Yes, the sites are good but so are a lot if independent ones so don't restrict your travels just to club sites.
You can usually get a recommendation for sites on here if you ask.

 

[Digger]

Have been a member of both CC and CCC for years and recommend both. There are more private / forrestry sites being transformed into static and log cabins only and my choice is in supporting the clubs to maintain quality sites. Some dislike the discipline but I find them friendly and well maintained.

 

[aileron346]

Same as most of the above we are members of both and find both of them very good. Most sites are clean and well organised. They do slightly differ in history and character with CCC having a history of tent camping and links to the Scouting movement etc. The CC OTOH can occasionally ( to us anyway) feel a bit less grassy and slightly more austere. But we're in both - to support them and to give a good range of club sites. They might also have slightly different tolerance of single overnight stops in high season. It's much more pot luck with independent sites - some great ones but many dire ones. Jewel in the crown of the club sites is their CS(CCC) and CL (CC) small certified 5-van sites...some real gems.


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[2into1]

We never joined either of the UK clubs and survived just fine. In the UK we tended to use http://www.campingintheforest.co.uk/ which are just a chain of campsites with no membership required

Campingintheforest is actually a partnership between the Forestry Commission and the Camping and Caravanning Club being discussed here, and members of the said C&CC get a 15% discount (at some, maybe all of their 'forest' sites).

 

[Yorkie]

We never joined either of the UK clubs and survived just fine. In the UK we tended to use http://www.campingintheforest.co.uk/ which are just a chain of campsites with no membership required (they do appear to be converting some of the campsites to cabin only sites now though) If you want to be near specific towns I think the club sites might give more choice. If you are going to the coast then there is always a good choice of independants.

If you are venturing over to Europe out of season then Campingcard ACSI is a good idea - it will pay for itself over a few nights, and you get an excellent book listing loads of sites which is useful for planning trips (we really enjoyed planning our next trip with a bottle of wine while camping )

Wine seems to be the common thread with the VW site. Good for me as I drink my Rioja.

 

[Yorkie]

We are in the CCC simply to get the discount on travel. Saved the subscription two times over this year. Yes, the sites are good but so are a lot if independent ones so don't restrict your travels just to club sites.
You can usually get a recommendation for sites on here if you ask.

Okay. First test. Picking van up in Preston, Friday. So Lake District first adventure but where to go?

 

[AnneP]

Okay. First test. Picking van up in Preston, Friday. So Lake District first adventure but where to go?

We love 'The Quiet Site' overlooking Ullswater (we're already booked in again for New Year). Great site, friendly helpful staff and a brilliant bar on site in the form of a converted barn - check out their website! Enjoy your first weekend wherever you go!

 

[2into1]

The Quiet Site is good (with the bar), but the Camping and Caravan Club sites at Ravenglass, and at Eskdale are nice too. Both have pubs and food within a short stroll.

 

[Richardmk]

Hi
Picking our van up on Friday. Off straight away for an initiation trip most likely to the Lake District. Having looked on-line for a site its hard to work out if we should join a club, the best winter sites seem to be on one of the following:

Any comments on Caravan Club or Camping Club etc. or any other?

Ian

The independent site in Hawkshead is excellent. Virtually in the centre of the village with a short walk to both the lake and village. Some great shops selling outdoor pursuits gear for those essential items that you didn't know you needed until you did


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[Yorkie]

I have booked a couple of nights on the quiet site. Checked out some sites which seemed to have cracking views but they were all closed for the season.

First night jitters for tomorrow. If we freeze to death can someone pour tepid water on us to see if we thaw out.

 

[WelshGas]

I have booked a couple of nights on the quiet site. Checked out some sites which seemed to have cracking views but they were all closed for the season.

First night jitters for tomorrow. If we freeze to death can someone pour tepid water on us to see if we thaw out.

Have you checked the Heater? and don't forget to ensure you have adequate ventilation when sleeping and you will be fine and be able to gaze at the views while having your morning cup of tea.

 

[2into1]

I think all the campervan pitches at the Quiet Site are electric, so you have the option of taking a fan heater as a backup to the built in parking heater.

Just in front of the Quiet Site (just across the lane) is Cove Park site. It is closed now but worth having a sneaky look at - next season. I prefer that one..... The pitches are much more spread out.

 

[BikerGran]

Probably because most of my previous camping was done at motorcycle rallies, I really don't enjoy the CC or CCC sites, and usually try to avoid ANY site whose list of rules and regs is anywhere near an A4 page!

Since I got my Cali in May, I've stayed on a local campsite, friends' driveways, a field in Lancs with assorted tents, campers, motorhomes etc, a field site in Shropshire with very simple facilities, a couple of pubs, a coastal car park, a town seafront - and enjoyed all of them!

I think it really depends on what you enjoy, try before you buy? I know you can use CCC sites without membership by paying a bit extra.