Going to my first Caravan Club site - bit scared..

[New Kentish Campers]

It's a good club, friendly and straightforward.

For more erm, 'precision' join the other mob Trust me, its an education; I've been on their sites plenty of times and always enjoyed watching the military types wandering around in the morning with their towel and soap, off for their ablutions, etc. Still, as they say, whatever turns you on...

[Steve T]

We find them useful, there are DA meets (District Association) or THS’s (Temporary Holiday Sites) in the club mag that comes every month. You can attend other DA’s and THS’s not just the one you are affiliated too. Just have look through and you can find sites that charge around £10 a night, some less, if you compare with most campsites it is cheap. Not as cheap as wild camping, that is entirely different If it is somewhere you might like to visit you can have a look around the area or town, stay the night and toddle off next day, or stay longer. Where in any town can you park a camper where it would be 6 metres away from any other vehicle, looked over with security in mind (like minded people that don’t want scally’s smooching around) and somewhere to sleep at night, most you don’t have to book in advance, just roll up. All day parking in some towns is silly money. We got introduced by some friends, 1 with a caravan, 1 with a motor home. The people who run these events are friendly enough, you don’t have to take part in their “themed” events or coffee mornings LOL. There are at least 2 things on most DA meets, a tap for drinking water and waste disposal, some you have to bring your own sanitation (thunder box) When you compare prices to regular campsites you will see your money back in what you save. If you are planning a long distance trip and want an overnight stop it could be useful for somewhere safe to rest up as there are all over the country.

The Caravan Club hmmmmmmmmmm very different . A & Nill............. don’t pronounce the and

[Blue Moonraker]

We have just returned from a C&C Club site in the New Forest area (travelling with friends..also T25 owners) and we had a great time with an assortment of camping types of which my favourite was an Airstream and very large 4x4 truck to tow it ...but all walks of life were there to see from the look at me I've just spent my pension lump sum to walkers with pup tents ...everyone was having a great time.
The managers on site even allowed me to obtain membership discount for all of us although my friends aren't members oh and the sun was shining all the time .

[fodtommo]

Right OK we survived. just


dont think well be going too often/ ever!... although the CLs look handy?

I arrived after a hellish journey down the M4. and was asked at reception if id been before, I said no but my father in law is here and is an old hand.

Pulled up with the front bumper touching the post as instructed by said relative. popped the top and generally got set up.

just pulled the ring pull on my first and deserved tinny, when the little green caravn goblins appeared in their matching motifed uniforms.

"Sir... theres a problem, rules state that you must have your passenger corner bumper touching the post, and you clearly have your number plate touching"

Despite offering pull the little post and move to the corner of the van(didnt go down well!) I had to move everything and relocate may van 1.5ft to the right. Bearing in mind the other pitch I was supposedly invading was all family!

Normally on a campsite when the missus retires with her Cocoa Ill avail myself of a few tins and go and have a chat with others - particularly other VWs - not here. anyone of my age looked like they escaped from a Centre Parcs advert on the telly. Far to wholesome

I also got told off for not cleaning the floor with a mop AND a squeegee after my shower. The chap in a maroon brocade bath robe was so insenced by this lack of respect that he had to re-do my booth and follow behind my slightly muddy flip flops, I could feel his eyes burning in my back.

Anyway, it was full of brand newe cars and caravans and pensioners.

It its defence, it was very safe for my toddler, the facilities were spotless, it had a playground and a toddler washroom which was really handy.

But it aint really my cup of tea... however now ive realised the difference the CC&C looks like something I might give a go - a lot less snobby, and reccomended by all above?

[shaky]

I would suggest forgetting the caravan club and join the Camping & Caravanning club. They cater for everyone from tenties to the huge Hymer motorhomes.
We've just got back from Scarborough Club site. We booked a basic standard pitch online on Thursday evening, zapped up there after work/school on Friday. A dead easy weekend.
Yes there were lots of the serious caravans in rows on the concrete hard standing, but there was also every other conceivable outfit. At least two type 2's and three other 25's. Scarborough also has onsite catering so no need to cook! I am sure other sites will be similar.
Some of my friends are hooked on the temporary sites where you just turn up and pay a couple of quid.

[ringo]

Yes the CC are a bunch of snobs. However, they have some sites in cracking locations.
Trouble is, so does the C&CC - so i dont know which one to join (and i aint joining both!).
Least you got it free!

Ringo

[Madwitch]

Well Ringo - if you decide to join the C&CC give them my membership number and I'll get a £5 voucher! We used to go many years ago to a THS in Beadnell. At the time it was £1.50 per night per unit so a couple of tanksful of petrol and a couple of gas refills gave us a fantastic holiday by the sea. Loads to do for the kids (they put on fancy dress, cricket etc etc) and some stuff for the adults (pie & peas, quiz) but it was entirely up to you whether you joined in or not. We made some great friends who we saw regularly at meets (bit like 80-90 really!). This year we stayed on a THS at Hendra just outside Newquay with some friends. The site normally charges upwards of £25 per night with hookup - the THS cost was £8 per night! yet we still had access to all the facilities.

[Ian and Lins]

We joined the CC on the advise of our long term member Bro and sis in law. We always, always us the CL sites 'cause they are pretty cheap and should not have more than 5 outfits on at a time; even 'though some are on acres of land. So you tend to have plenty of space. Every one is (usuall) dead friendly.

[Miss Syd]

I spent one night on this site in Stratford and HATED it! Firstly, I booked through UK Campsites and there was nothing on there re no windbreaks or tents, so I fell foul of the Gestapo-like rules as soon as I got there! If I am only somewhere for a night, I put a windbreak round the awning legs instead of zipping the full sides on. No chance! Then I throw up a pop up tent behind the windbreak to chuck all my stuff in overnight while I sleep in the van. Another No No!! When I asked why, I was told they are a fire hazard???? Well, would that not apply to all campsites then? I found the pitches way too close together and all the other occupants just seemed to have moved their entire households, on wheels, to the site - three piece suites in there massive motorhomes, satellite dishes, 42" plasma screens etc (sorry- I like a bit of telly, but this is a pet hate. Do we not go camping to get away from it all for a bit?). AND there were a thousand children running riot all over! Just not for me I'm afraid.
BUT, it's in a fantastic location and I did some great cycling in the area, so not a total disaster!

[Madwitch]

^^^ you should see some of the sites in France in the summer. They move their families in lock, stock and barrel, often cramming three or four tents, gazebos etc onto one pitch and they bring the washer, dishwasher, tumble drier etc and set them up under the gazebos! This year we even saw someone who had taken a fridge/freezer - it was obviously straight out of their kitchen because it still had the built in doors on it!