CL sites in the UK - how busy are they? (1 Viewer)

[quilkin]

I added the following question to an associated thread earlier in the week but got no response so perhaps it wasn't relevant there. So apologies for cross-posting a bit.
I'm thinking of joining Camping & Caraving club or Caravan & Motorhome Club because I think I'd enjoy their small 5-vehicle 'CL' sites. But I never book my stays ages in advance; always 2-3 days before or even less. So, outside of highest season (e.g. now, in June) typically how full do these sites get - would I have a problem finding a space in a given area?

 

[2x2camper]

I added the following question to an associated thread earlier in the week but got no response so perhaps it wasn't relevant there. So apologies for cross-posting a bit.
I'm thinking of joining Camping & Caraving club or Caravan & Motorhome Club because I think I'd enjoy their small 5-vehicle 'CL' sites. But I never book my stays ages in advance; always 2-3 days before or even less. So, outside of highest season (e.g. now, in June) typically how full do these sites get - would I have a problem finding a space in a given area?

It depends on the CL. Some are full every weekend in high season other you will be the only ones on it (

 

[mitzimad]

varies with location and if theres any events on local

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[MyrtleGuru]

I added the following question to an associated thread earlier in the week but got no response so perhaps it wasn't relevant there. So apologies for cross-posting a bit.
I'm thinking of joining Camping & Caraving club or Caravan & Motorhome Club because I think I'd enjoy their small 5-vehicle 'CL' sites. But I never book my stays ages in advance; always 2-3 days before or even less. So, outside of highest season (e.g. now, in June) typically how full do these sites get - would I have a problem finding a space in a given area?

Personally, we have never had a problem getting a place by phoning the day before or the same day. What we have had a problem with is getting hold of someone to answer the phone, as the CL/CS is obviously just a minor sideline to their regular business for most of the owners. Where an email address is provided, it has generally been an easier experience.

We have stayed in some very lovely locations, though.

 

[Emmit]

Personally, we have never had a problem getting a place by phoning the day before or the same day. What we have had a problem with is getting hold of someone to answer the phone, as the CL/CS is obviously just a minor sideline to their regular business for most of the owners. Where an email address is provided, it has generally been an easier experience.

We have stayed in some very lovely locations, though.

We once had this comment from an owner of a site who also had self catering cottages to rent.

"I have number recognition on my phone and, if I don't recognize the number, I don't answer the phone."???

That was a CS just outside Feock, Cornwall.

You couldn't make it up.

 

[Welsh girl]

I found caravan club cl owners rarely there, it's just a sideline for them, cs on the other hand are usually there. We have used many of them over the years and found they very greatly. Some are nicely maintained with showers, toilets etc then there are some in just an unkempt field!

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[The Wino]

We use cls sometimes I think if you accept you might have to have a couple lined up you wont have a problem.

 

[Odd job]

We never book more than a fewdays in advance and have never had a problem
We're with the C C C so that's cs's.

 

[BreweryDave]

Used to stay on them when in the U.K., was never asked for membership of either club........just as well?
They were just happy to take a paying customer ?

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[quilkin]

Used to stay on them when in the U.K., was never asked for membership of either club........just as well?
They were just happy to take a paying customer ?

Interesting, I wonder how much they pay the club for the privelidge of being certified?

 

[Ivory55]

Interesting, I wonder how much they pay the club for the privelidge of being certified?

To be fair we hardly talking millions here. If they have the odd non member now then does it really matter. If you clamp down hard then there could well be a lot less open.

 

[Pausim]

Used to stay on them when in the U.K., was never asked for membership of either club........just as well?
They were just happy to take a paying customer ?

We have used 2 CLs this week and both have asked for proof of Membership. I think it is getting more common.

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[Pausim]

Used to stay on them when in the U.K., was never asked for membership of either club........just as well?
They were just happy to take a paying customer ?

Just looked up the information for setting up a CL which includes:

Rule 1: Visitors to your CL must be members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club (1960 Act)
This is a condition of your Certificate, breach of which could also put your cover at risk should a claim arise under your public liability insurance.

Perhaps the CMC is monitoring this a bit more closely these days? They and the CCC probably guard their rights to issue these certificates carefully.

 

[BreweryDave]

Rules are for the obedience of fools, and the guidance of wise men.
Just sayin.........?

 

[Pausim]

Rules are for the obedience of fools, and the guidance of wise men.
Just sayin.........?

Just pointing out that there seems to be a new trend of asking for membership information and looking for reasons.

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[TerryL]

We tend to use CL's in the UK (CMC) - we're also CCC members but have yet to use one of theirs - and have only ever been refused because of the condition of the site after some heavy weather. If we want to be in a particular place we book beforehand, otherwise when we're ready to stop we have a look at the books and give them a call - yes occasionally we have to try a couple of times to get an answer. Facilities vary enormously, but we're quite happy with a field the dog can run about in, a water supply and waste disposal - we don't need and don't see why we should pay for showers, electricity etc. Often we've been on our own.

Sometimes we're asked for membership, sometimes not but it's always offered. We did stay on one which had three fields, one for CMC, one for CCC and a general one - all 5-van "sites" that shared facilities. Not sure how that works with the hierarchy!

 

[quilkin]

Thank you for all the useful responses, I'll give it a go and see how I get on.