Clubs

Thanks, Margaret and Frank for the response to my first newbie question. Now I throw a second one out: are there any significant advantages to one or the other of the two clubs I mention when considering one to three day stays, rather than staying for a week or more? What are forum members' experiences?

Terry

Oops! The two clubs didn't appear. They are the Camping and Caravanning and the Caravan.

Terry

Been asked many times before, have a read of this thread....

https://www.autosleeper-ownersforum.com/t10346-is-it-worth-joining-one-of-the-camping-clubs?highlight=Clubs

I used to be a member of CC&M club, or whatever they call themselves these days, just for their list of CLs. I've only ever stayed at one of their sites, and although very nice, it was prohibitively expensive. 
In truth, they're not really clubs anymore, just businesses like any other. 
Al.

Hi Terry

The link Paulmold has given above has lots of members' input so well worth a read.

One obvious thing to consider if you're only going to join one or other is the location of their respective sites and whether they tie in with your likely desired places to visit.  Also whether you'll want to use the full facility sites or are more interested in the CS/CL type.

Happy camping!

The Caravan and Camping Club have the RAC Arrival, a breaKdown service, which is very good, worth being s member for, also the 5 vans site I am also in the CaravanMotor home Club, I find their prices and sites better usually use the CL`s and CS`s 

Pplease excuse mistakes eyes are blury after treatment.

Best wishes,
Margarert

We've recently joined the Camping and Caravaning Club, mainly to use their Certificated Sites and the Temporary Holiday Sites (which seem to be well located).

Also being over sixty, we get a further 25% discount on club sites, not that we'd use them much.

We’re members of both, but don’t use either very much these days. For the CMC we do use the sites occasionally (if you live in York you’ll know Rowntree Park, a nice in a great location) and are going to a CL next month. The sites are generally very good, if a little regimented, with first class facilities. For motorhomers though I believe location is everything, so check them out before booking.

The CCC sites are also good, although some don’t allow you to choose a pitch, which can be annoying. We also use their Winter Rallies in Spain so retain our membership mostly for that. 

Both issue a monthly magazine, and offer a range of additional services such as insurance and overseas travel. Last week I called the CCC legal support line for a bit of advice on a matter unrelated to camping and they were most helpful. The clubs are a business, and site prices for their main sites have increased substantially in recent years, so there’s little of being a club today. Other than location of where you wish to go there’s little advantage of one over the other.

This debate goes on and on and it is down to personal preference

Both clubs own sites which IMO prices have got out of hand and for us are a last resort

Both clubs have 5 van sites. We tend to use the C&MC CLs more are they are listed in a fashion that suites us better

Both clubs offer members services such as breakdown cover, travel services and member discounts.  One we make use of is the C&MC discounted M6 Toll

If you Rally then the C&CC is the better option as there is normally no booking required and more group options to choose from than the C&MC have and you also have to book in advance with the C&MC

Which clubs are we in,   Caravan & Motorhome Club (formally Caravan Club) 34 years. Camping & Caravan Club 28 years, Motor Caravanners Club 19 years, Auto Sleepers Owners Club 18 years
The 2 latter offer member benefits but activities are mainly rallies and our 1st choice, where possible, but ASOC require you to book.

Thanks, everybody, for all the information. I also had a look at the earlier thread - very useful. We'll try an outing or two to get a feel for campervanning before making a choice. Will let you all know how we get on.

Terry

Just to add, be wary of non member fees if you go to club sites before joining. 

H

If you regularly shop at Sainsburys the caravan and motorhome club fee is more than covered as you can get 4% discount off all your shopping by getting a pre loaded card.

terryl wrote:Thanks, everybody, for all the information. I also had a look at the earlier thread - very useful. We'll try an outing or two to get a feel for campervanning before making a choice. Will let you all know how we get on.
Terry

That's the only way to be sure of what suits you Terry.

I would sum it up in a nutshell by saying the C&MC is a bit more up market with generally better facilities and a very predictable campsite and toilet block layout. It has been said that it's run by boring old farts for boring old farts - and that's not too far from reality. There are quite a few rules, most of which are fully justified as they have to deal with all sectors of society, and some would ruin it for everyone were it not for a fairly rigid set of rules and regulations.

The C&CC is more relaxed and tends to appeal to younger people. The layouts are usually less rigidly demarcated, and while the facilities may not be as swanky as the C&MC they are always more than adequate. Some of our members, us included, have had problems with stroppy wardens (or whatever they are called) apparently more often than with their C&MC counterparts. It's difficult to generalise here as you can only speak as you find, and some bad reports may have been exaggerated, or the warden's reaction precipitated by approaching the check in desk in a foul mood after a long journey.

Most of the other clubs appear to exist mainly for rallying, and if that's your thing you may want to steer clear of the big two - both of whose prices have soared rather in recent years. The "rallying" clubs often charge very minimal daily rates, and often have some excellent overseas rallies.

Swings and roundabouts really.