Campsites and staying on them

[vzac]

During this Yr have been trying to book sites. However for me at any rate, I have struggled, many are full, accept this as my other half is a teacher. But what is getting me is the refusal of many sites big and small accepting 1 or even 2 night stays, minimum 2 or 3 nights. I want to tour reason for having 4 wheels not a wobble box (previous vehicle). Yes could wildcamp and do it occasionally and use pubs etc as well. But can not always use these, location etc. Have other found this or am I just being unlucky this Yr, or is it a trend or conspiracy.

 

[Conal]

Are you a member of one of the two big organisations - Camping and Caravanning Club and/or Caravan and Motorhome Club?

 

[Pikeman]

How are you researching site locations?

 

[Brains]

For the next couple of years you will find this a problem during the high seasons (school holidays) until such time as the 'staycation' faze wears thin (which, in turn, will depend on Pandemic and financial restrictions being lifted)

If you want to do 'turn up' camping, then you need to be in a place or time where there is a lot of spare pitch availability.
That is not going to be near a sandy beach in August.
But it may be fine halfway up a rural hill in November.

 

[Conal]

Further to Brains comment, sites further away from attractions but near bus routes may be less popular.

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[MalcMc]

We have done a few 1 or 2 night stops with CAMC, I agree with you the idea of a Motorhome is the freedom to move, we tend to use sites part way as stop offs, but I do plan well ahead, not all do, been a busy year for staycations, maybe 2022 will see a more relaxed need for bookings.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Maybe use the Britstops book? It's expensive mind and doesn't last a year if you buy it now.. Think it comes out in January.

 

[Spriddler]

In fifteen or more years I've only tried motorhoming in the U.K. a couple of times; just during this pandemic era and never in school holidays. I found that I was booking where there was space rather than where I wanted to be.
Most 'Club' sites also seemed to be heavily booked on Friday and Saturday nights by weekenders which meant on a several weeks trip there was the likelihood of being 'homeless' at weekends. For me, tedious research, planning and booking ahead is not why I bought a motorhome.

 

[Conal]

As Spriddler says, planning can be boring and your circumstances and/or the weather can mean you have to change them. We tend to book early with C&MC as you can cancel easily at short notice and there is no deposit. For the same reason late slots may appear on their website four days before the date required.

 

[Brains]

In fifteen or more years I've only tried motorhoming in the U.K. a couple of times; just during this pandemic era and never in school holidays. I found that I was booking where there was space rather than where I wanted to be.
Most 'Club' sites also seemed to be heavily booked on Friday and Saturday nights by weekenders which meant on a several weeks trip there was the likelihood of being 'homeless' at weekends. For me, tedious research, planning and booking ahead is not why I bought a motorhome.

I actually enjoy working out where I'm going to be.
I've only had a problem once so far, Norfolk in September, half a dozen sites all full, ended up on a friends drive for one night.

I have also found that many CL's may have their obligatory 5 maximum campers booked in, but a space can often be made for another camper.

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[Spriddler]

I actually enjoy working out where I'm going to be.

I get that pleasure when I'm at home.

....., half a dozen sites all full, ended up on a friends drive for one night.

(Just ribbing you Brains my elder son loves spending weeks pre-planning any trip by m/bike or m/h with a spread sheet, detailed background information, historical info, places to visit etc. and follows it to the letter - much to my irritation if I'm accompanying him )

 

[vzac]

Cheers, we are experienced campers and travellers. We are members/ paid up with britstops, feel guilty though not buying meals and drinks and puddings when we use them, ends up costing a fortune, don't mind occasionally doing that, also members of camc, lapsed with ccc, plus member of motorcaravanners club, plus several apps. We tend to stay away from your touristy locations, not beach lovers, we are usually found up in hills quieter locations. I like to plan where we go not just get a late booking somewhere, cause someone has cancelled(not a fan of camc booking system). Just finding it a bit frustrating recently. Role on next Yr when we have both retired, and are free to roam, and Potter around at our speed.

 

[Badknee]

As we have everything on board we need we only ever use CS or CL’s and have been away much of the year without being refused a single night. Jim’s place at Jasmin Camping is a lovely spot.

 

[vzac]

My bad luck I guess then

 

[Ivory55]

Ths sites and cl sites often have more flexibility than large sites

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[Badknee]

My bad luck I guess then

Not bad luck but perhaps looking for the wrong thing? If you want all singing all dancing sites their rammed but CS and CL’s not so much.

 

[Badknee]

Ths sites and cl sites often have more flexibility than large sites

Yes THS good shout. We’ve been o three this year. CACC Temporary Holiday Sites

 

[Lenny HB]

Why we don't bother with the UK but made an exception this year did a few Fun rallies and a couple of THS.

At the moment we are in Spain didn't know we would end up here when we got on the ferry, don't do planning.

 

[Janine]

As well as THS sites, there are also C&CC DA meets which happen almost every weekend somewhere in the UK.

Mostly you don't have to book in advance. Some are special interest like photography or boating but you don't have to participate in order to camp with them.

Download their Out and About app to search by location/date.

 

[vzac]

Hi badknee, last one we been refused is north lancashire, not on coast for this next Sunday. Told 2 nights mininum and its a cl farm site.

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[tonyidle]

I generally use CLs/CSs and never book. I've just returned from a UK 3 month trip and had no issues. I ring the next before leaving. If its full I ring a other one. It adds to the excitement.

 

[Sandancers]

We found that by booking the site we wanted to use in July / Aug early in the year, Jan / Feb they were happy to book us in for single night or whatever stops. Excluding Bank Hols obviously.

 

[Badknee]

Hi badknee, last one we been refused is north lancashire, not on coast for this next Sunday. Told 2 nights mininum and its a cl farm site.

Pick another one there’s hundreds

 

[Ivory55]

Hi badknee, last one we been refused is north lancashire, not on coast for this next Sunday. Told 2 nights mininum and its a cl farm site.

Was it near something like an attraction or event or the lights of Blackpool. This some time has an affect

 

[PhilandMena]

You don't say if its the UK or the E.U. where you have this problem and I suspect its the UK. IMO the UK is a waste of time motorhoming as unless your on a rip off campsite your not really welcome. This is not the case in the E.U. and there are thousands of places where you can stay for one night and free too. The campsites are a lot cheaper too and many have a higher standard than those in the UK with some being megga!
The UK is ok for week or two with family and friends and the odd meet/rally that is organised by Funsters. Once you have done the E.U. I'm sure you will agree there is no comparrison.

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[vzac]

Pick another one there’s hundreds

We did, we have. Just don't like being said no to even politely ( my issue)

 

[vzac]

Was it near something like an attraction or event or the lights of Blackpool. This some time has an affect

No cause I live there ( well fleetwood) would not want to camp around blackpool, know what goes on behind all those fancy light, and promenade. Been loads of vans around fleetwood this yr and I mean loads.

 

[Bonsaiman]

Must say never had an issue with single nights on CL's, in fact last one we stayed on was full in the CL designated area but found us a space next to the stables which wasn't as bad as you might think as they were derelict

 

[Ivory55]

I don’t think anyone is qualified as a real motorhome owner unless they want it for free and everything is a rip off in the Uk.

 

[vzac]

You don't say if its the UK or the E.U. where you have this problem and I suspect its the UK. IMO the UK is a waste of time motorhoming as unless your on a rip off campsite your not really welcome. This is not the case in the E.U. and there are thousands of places where you can stay for one night and free too. The campsites are a lot cheaper too and many have a higher standard than those in the UK with some being megga!
The UK is ok for week or two with family and friends and the odd meet/rally that is organised by Funsters. Once you have done the E.U. I'm sure you will agree there is no comparrison.

I agree, can't wait to get back europe next Yr, and hopefully north America yr after. We toured shetland and orkneys this summer, we are not ones to go to your normal places usually, but new van (testing out ironing problems out) before venturing over the channel, seemed right thing to do, especially good as we are changing van, no likely, breaky downy to much.

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