last minute booking fail

[tommac]

After having to cancel 2 bookings and lost deposits I thought we`d leave it to day before this time. Tried 5 sites for this weekend and all fully booked. --In mid september !! . Very early in our MH ownership and never knew it was quite so popular. Going to have to review our strategy

 

[Basildog]

Luckily I am allergic to sites ??

 

[Bluemanc100]

I'm trying to book Rivendale near Ashbourne for Monday to Friday next week but can't get through by phone...

We've struggled to reach them in the past when we had the caravan so i'll keep trying

Failing that it might be The Plassey instead

 

[Allanm]

That’s the problem with owning a motorhome to use in the UK. You can’t be spontaneous.
On the rare occasions we use campsites in the UK, we are always asked what time do we expect to arrive.
I can understand this on a large site that has a reception block, why do they want to know at a CL?
Are they going to book a band and a welcome committee for our arrival?

 

[Two on Tour]

Have a look for the area you want to go to on Park4Night or CamperContact as it normally throws up somewhere you can stay.

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[tommac]

Have a look for the area you want to go to on Park4Night or CamperContact as it normally throws up somewhere you can stay.

thanks , both useful but not ready yet--wife is recovering from a stroke and feels safer on sites for now.

 

[Top Hat]

Maybe the weather forecast this weekend has something to do with it

 

[bobandjanie]

Always phone them, because they save pitches for passing traffic.
We had the same at York, web said full, but I remembered our friend who worked for the caravan club for years telling me, phoned yes got a pitch for 2 nights and could of had longer, when we was there a German and Dutch couple just arrived and they let them in. Bob.

 

[tommac]

worth a try -thanks

 

[Janine]

That’s the problem with owning a motorhome to use in the UK. You can’t be spontaneous.
On the rare occasions we use campsites in the UK, we are always asked what time do we expect to arrive.
I can understand this on a large site that has a reception block, why do they want to know at a CL?
Are they going to book a band and a welcome committee for our arrival?

No but I expect that the owners have a life and don’t want to have to stay home all day waiting for you to arrive (or not)!

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[Nostrovia]

Depends what area you want to go to. We just booked this place for tomorrow night, as the weather seems like it's going to be lovely.

Great area with lots to see, but the nearest pub is 1 mile.

 

[Bluemanc100]

Depends what area you want to go to. We just booked this place for tomorrow night, as the weather seems like it's going to be lovely.

Great area with lots to see, but the nearest pub is 1 mile.

which place?

 

[Nostrovia]

which place?

There was a link in my message, but Mains Farm in Kirkoswald (close to the lake district):

Tripadvisor (great reviews):

MAINS FARM CARAVAN SITE - Updated 2024 Reviews & Photos

Mains Farm Caravan Site, Kirkoswald, Cumbria: See 267 traveller reviews, 268 candid photos, and great deals for Mains Farm Caravan Site, ranked #1 of 2 Speciality lodging in Kirkoswald, Cumbria and rated 5 of 5 at Tripadvisor.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk

Campsite:

Mains Farm Caravan Site - Spacious pitches on a delightful working farm in Cumbria

Caravan and Camping Site with Camping Pods and Bunk Accommodation located in the beautiful Eden Valley in Cumbria.

www.edenvalleycaravansite.co.uk

 

[ambulancekidd]

which place?

If you click on the spot where he says "this place".

 

[Bluemanc100]

If you click on the spot where he says "this place".

My eyesight is clearly failing... see the link now

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[wiljoy]

You live in God's country now.
Just head over to the west and wild camp.
Maybe stay Oban at Roseview which is near Tesco.

 

[138go]

Nothing unusual not being able to find somewhere. Trouble is the pitches are booked upto a year in advance. God knows why as no one can really tell what they will be doing in 12 months. So everything is booked and then at the last minute if the weather is rubbish the people who booked a year ago start cancelling. It has improved because they have stopped them booking 4 or 5 sites on the same day. CL sites are easier but it can be hassle trying to get in some of the popular ones.

 

[shawn&emma]

Nothing unusual not being able to find somewhere. Trouble is the pitches are booked upto a year in advance. God knows why as no one can really tell what they will be doing in 12 months. So everything is booked and then at the last minute if the weather is rubbish the people who booked a year ago start cancelling. It has improved because they have stopped them booking 4 or 5 sites on the same day. CL sites are easier but it can be hassle trying to get in some of the popular ones.

We generally don't use sites but when we are back in the UK we stay at a little CL which is between both sets of parents. We've stayed here the past five years. Speaking with the owner he's started asking for a deposit of the first night as he's starting to get more no shows. It works well for us here location wise but it's getting more costly, £10 a night when we first stayed but now £14. Bit of a kick in the teeth after only spending just €20 through Europe over the last four months.

 

[busby]

I'm trying to book Rivendale near Ashbourne for Monday to Friday next week but can't get through by phone...

We've struggled to reach them in the past when we had the caravan so i'll keep trying

Failing that it might be The Plassey instead

Get to Europe??BUSBY.

 

[busbuddy]

the school holidays are over so the 'normal' people are back taking holidays

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[Riverbankannie]

We have today turned up to an ACSI site around pm, in Alsace, which is full and there were queues outside too. We are ok as we could look for an aire but our friends not so happy as they don’t have their own “facilities”.

 

[Lenny HB]

our friends not so happy as they don’t have their own “facilities”

Could get cosy in your van.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Could get cosy in your van.

The more the merrier !
I’m making them lemon pancakes tonight to make up for it as I guess they are only not driving through the night to another “proper” campsite because of us !

 

[Lenny HB]

If your profile is correct and you are in Scotland I don't understand why you need sites. Everyone wild camps in Scotland it was made for it.

 

[tommac]

If your profile is correct and you are in Scotland I don't understand why you need sites. Everyone wild camps in Scotland it was made for it.

As I said earlier--wife is recovering from recent stroke and wants to stay on sites for now. But yes, hopefully next year we`ll try wildcamping-should be fun. We`ve only been MH`ing for a month--early days and all that.

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[Bluemanc100]

Get to Europe??BUSBY.

Slowly slowly catchy monkey...

We’ll widen the range over time ??

 

[Allanm]

No but I expect that the owners have a life and don’t want to have to stay home all day waiting for you to arrive (or not)!

The owners have a life where they can do what they want when they want, or they run a business where their life and livelihood depends on their customers. Their business should be run for their customers not to make life easier for them, or they shouldn’t bother.

You don’t run a shop by appointment, opening only when a customer wants to visit so why run a campsite like that?
Most CL’s are on farms so I don’t imagine farmers go out for the day and if they are going to be out or unavailable, they can impart this information at the time of booking and instruct you where you should park.
it really is simple.