Prices

[Kev56]

I’m looking to do my usual few days away as and when. I’m knocking on 70 and love to get away. But is it just me or is anyone else finding the site prices are getting ridiculous. It’s obviousl there is a school holiday tax at the moment, but some of the sites are really taking the P.

 

[Stu72]

Nothing under £30 a night with no electric here in Cornwall , far to expensive just to basically park safely for a night away

 

[dspuk]

Just you tbh, and some others on this site who hark back to the mythical good old days of a tenner a site and free eggs. Bit like those who always go on about "getting into Glastonbury" for a quid in a bucket.

I find sites just fine at 30 - 50 a night. The bigger challenge is the short stay rules but CAMC are better for that than the "Friendly" club.

 

[pjm-84]

Paid £36 for 3nights, no electric, up in the Peaks at the weekend. Thought that was a bargain

 

[Stu72]

That’s what I’m talking about ,you won’t find anything like that in Cornwall !

 

[GrannyJen]

Site prices are totally ridiculous in peak months.

Off-peak, well I'm a retired layabout and this is when I go away. I parked up on a beautiful site in mid-Wales end of February for £22, electric, Wi-Fi, Water etc and some beautiful out of season walking in the empty heart of Wales with the Elan valley down the road.

 

[sticky1]

I’m looking to do my usual few days away as and when. I’m knocking on 70 and love to get away. But is it just me or is anyone else finding the site prices are getting ridiculous. It’s obviousl there is a school holiday tax at the moment, but some of the sites are really taking the P.

I agree with you, however many of the sites I have visited recently all seem pretty full. Until people vote with their wallets prices will remain high.
If I’m paying a high site fee I get frustrated when the site isn’t well maintained, at least we can see reviews on many of the apps and perhaps that’s how we call out pricing.

 

[Alied]

Porth Beach

 

[Dorset daily]

That’s what I’m talking about ,you won’t find anything like that in Cornwall !

Just back from 5 nights in Gweek in Cornwall. Beautiful site £20 a night . No electric.

 

[Dizzy]

IMHO it's gone bonkers. We've been away for 4 weeks up to shetland and orkney, stayed one night up and down. Paid 33 quid at kirkwall bay basic pitch and ehu for one night. Nothing more than some Aires we stopped at in Spain for 15 euros. Cheapest was Delting boating club at 25 quid, and their showers were free ! (Top marks)

As it turned out we averaged 7.50 approx per night as went wild in a variety of places , most we did was 4 nights between sites, mainly 3.

Appreciate it's peak time, but I haven't seen it much cheaper in spring and autumn..

Utter rip off Britain was the conclusion we came to.

Bring on next euro trip.

 

[WelshGas]

IMHO it's gone bonkers. We've been away for 4 weeks up to shetland and orkney, stayed one night up and down. Paid 33 quid at kirkwall bay basic pitch and ehu for one night. Nothing more than some Aires we stopped at in Spain for 15 euros. Cheapest was Delting boating club at 25 quid, and their showers were free ! (Top marks)

As it turned out we averaged 7.50 approx per night as went wild in a variety of places , most we did was 4 nights between sites, mainly 3.

Appreciate it's peak time, but I haven't seen it much cheaper in spring and autumn..

Utter rip off Britain was the conclusion we came to.

Bring on next euro trip.

Not rip off Britain, more like over populated Britain.
The Population Density in the EU is stated as 106 people / sq Km.
The Population Density in the U.K. is stated as 279 people / sq Km.

The number of campsites in the U.K. is substantially less/ head of population than in the EU so there will be more people vying for each pitch.
Unless a campsite owner is altruistic they will charge a fee that maintains high occupancy, depending on the facilities they provide. As there are more campers vying for each place then prices will be higher.
On the Continent there are more campsites / head of population and the popular sites with good facilities use the same charging system to get high occupancy and the other campsites have to attract campers by charging substantially less. Because there are more campsites you have much more variation in prices compared with the U.K.

If you want cheap/good campsites in the U.K. without entertainment facilities then check out the CS and CL sites run by the Caravan & Camping Club and Caravan & Motorhome Club respectively.

 

[Kayleigh]

A pitch at my local campsite (National Trust) for 2 adults and 2 children with EHU next week costs £55 per night.

A family quadruple room at my local Premier Inn for the same night also costs £55.

 

[Hawthorn37]

Just you tbh, and some others on this site who hark back to the mythical good old days of a tenner a site and free eggs. Bit like those who always go on about "getting into Glastonbury" for a quid in a bucket.

I find sites just fine at 30 - 50 a night. The bigger challenge is the short stay rules but CAMC are better for that than the "Friendly" club.

For info, during school hols the Camping & Caravanning Club website restricts you to 2 nights minimum. But if you phone the site that you want to book for one night, they’ll take your booking, in my recent experience. You might not get the 60+ discount though, if you otherwise qualify. .

 

[Hawthorn37]

I’m looking to do my usual few days away as and when. I’m knocking on 70 and love to get away. But is it just me or is anyone else finding the site prices are getting ridiculous. It’s obviousl there is a school holiday tax at the moment, but some of the sites are really taking the P.

Agree, and I don’t really understand. There are some very popular sites for families that would be full no matter the price. But most of the ‘club’ sites are far from full this year, and still put the fees up.

 

[Tracy Paine]

https://www.aberporthseaviewcamping.co.uk/ Currently here. £25 no electric great views!

 

[Jane C]

I’m looking to do my usual few days away as and when. I’m knocking on 70 and love to get away. But is it just me or is anyone else finding the site prices are getting ridiculous. It’s obviousl there is a school holiday tax at the moment, but some of the sites are really taking the P.

There's a great campsite in Hett Northumberland just £15 a night. It's called Grove farm and has a toilet and shower, but no EHU. The guys who run it are very friendly and hospitable.

 

[Mansfieldman750]

For 3 nights at Moffat CACC site, 2 people with age discount, hard standing and hook up.

Aug 4 - Aug 7 £123.60
Sept 22 - Sept 25 £72.60

Moral of the story, if you can avoid the school holidays campsites are a lot cheaper. Appreciate that’s not possible for anyone with kids.

 

[Ryanrunsfar123]

It does feel like it's really getting out of control! I don't mind in some places... like Polmanter in St Ives is genuinely excellent with lots to do (at no extra charge) and a premium location (a walk in to St Ives / Carbis Bay). There's no way I'd get accom for 4 in the school holidays down there for anywhere close to £89 per night.

I don't think these places are making millions ripping people off mind you..... and if people pay it and the sites are full I don't blame them for charging it!

What annoys me most are places charging a crazy premium thinking they can get away with it then the site isn't up to scratch. Especially when they place loads of restrictions on what you can book and fees and policies blah blah...

Drive to France is my advice... shame we don't all have tons of annual leave to use!

 

[Dizzy]

Not rip off Britain, more like over populated Britain.
The Population Density in the EU is stated as 106 people / sq Km.
The Population Density in the U.K. is stated as 279 people / sq Km.

The number of campsites in the U.K. is substantially less/ head of population than in the EU so there will be more people vying for each pitch.
Unless a campsite owner is altruistic they will charge a fee that maintains high occupancy, depending on the facilities they provide. As there are more campers vying for each place then prices will be higher.
On the Continent there are more campsites / head of population and the popular sites with good facilities use the same charging system to get high occupancy and the other campsites have to attract campers by charging substantially less. Because there are more campsites you have much more variation in prices compared with the U.K.

If you want cheap/good campsites in the U.K. without entertainment facilities then check out the CS and CL sites run by the Caravan & Camping Club and Caravan & Motorhome Club respectively.

Ah so what you are saying is the site owners are greedy buggers and its all our fault ??

WRT. CCC and CMC i cant agree, whilst not a member i have mates that are and they say they cant book places for love nor money... tbh when we drove back we went past a few CCC and CMC sites and they were only 50% full if best.

As long as i can keep my average per night this year at £10 and then have that go up index linked yoy for the next 25 years then i am happy with that. If it means more in europe then thats fine by me, even paying ferry or chunnel i am happy.

IMHO (and my 0.02gbp) its rip off Britain, nothing more simple than that.

and for gawds sake dont get me going on drop off fees at airports....

 

[WelshGas]

Ah so what you are saying is the site owners are greedy buggers and its all our fault ??

WRT. CCC and CMC i cant agree, whilst not a member i have mates that are and they say they cant book places for love nor money... tbh when we drove back we went past a few CCC and CMC sites and they were only 50% full if best.

As long as i can keep my average per night this year at £10 and then have that go up index linked yoy for the next 25 years then i am happy with that. If it means more in europe then thats fine by me, even paying ferry or chunnel i am happy.

IMHO (and my 0.02gbp) its rip off Britain, nothing more simple than that.

and for gawds sake dont get me going on drop off fees at airports....

Probably all for the best then.

 

[Seán Kerr]

Not rip off Britain, more like over populated Britain.
The Population Density in the EU is stated as 106 people / sq Km.
The Population Density in the U.K. is stated as 279 people / sq Km.

The number of campsites in the U.K. is substantially less/ head of population than in the EU so there will be more people vying for each pitch.
Unless a campsite owner is altruistic they will charge a fee that maintains high occupancy, depending on the facilities they provide. As there are more campers vying for each place then prices will be higher.
On the Continent there are more campsites / head of population and the popular sites with good facilities use the same charging system to get high occupancy and the other campsites have to attract campers by charging substantially less. Because there are more campsites you have much more variation in prices compared with the U.K.

If you want cheap/good campsites in the U.K. without entertainment facilities then check out the CS and CL sites run by the Caravan & Camping Club and Caravan & Motorhome Club respectively.

You’ve basically just described school-level economics supply and demand and the “preparedness to pay” pricing model, which is all correct. Based on this dynamic, and assuming similar capacity utilisation (% occupancy) of EU vs UK campsites (it may not be similar, I don’t know), the UK campsites’ revenues will be far higher than the EU campsites. Therefore, unless the campsite running costs are WAY higher in the UK (they aren’t WAY higher) the UK campsites’ profits will be significantly higher. Whether people consider that to be basic capitalism / market dynamics or a “rip off” is their perspective!

 

[WelshGas]

I think you would find Campsite running costs are higher in the UK and coupled with a shorter " Season" . They have to make money while they can. Once out of season availability and costs drop significantly.

 

[Seán Kerr]

Yes, that would make sense, the season is way shorter. I suspect the running costs will be slightly higher.

 

[Mansfieldman750]

Well, the two biggest campsite operators in the UK are the Camping and Caravan Club and the Caravan and Motorhome Club and both are not for profit organisations.
So who are they ripping off, their own members ?
Both claim that every penny they make from membership fees, pitch fees and other services like insurance, is plowed back into improving services and facilities for members.
You can take that with a pinch of salt, no doubt they will have some highly paid officers and they usually have a celebrity president like David Bellamy or Julia Bradbury who will be on a good bung, but on the whole I don’t think they exist to rip off their own members.
If you think they do, as a member you have a vote, kick them out.

 

[Mansfieldman750]

During an idle moment I had a look at the accounts of the Camping and Caravan Club ( the Friendly Club ) on Companies House and to tell the truth they don’t make good reading.
At the last filed accounts to 29 Feb 2024, they had £15,401,000 cash, down from £22,853,000 previous year, and £28,479,000 year before that.
I don’t know if there has been any improvement in Cash Flow in more recent times.
Hope so. I like their Keswick sites.

By comparison the Caravan and Motorhome Club seems to be much better run.