Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => The Knowledge => Camping It Up => Topic started by: Wowbagger on 19 June, 2020, 11:16:17 pm
-
I had a letter a couple of days ago sending a brace of membership cards and telling me that a direct debit would be activated on 3rd July.
On the basis that I have been a member for quite a few years without using their sites very often, and the fact that it seems very unlikely that I will use their sites during the coming season, I have cancelled the direct debit.
I hope that I am not contributing to the organisation’s demise. What are others doing?
-
I get discounted insurance for my k ackered motorhome because I'm a member, haven't actually used any of the sites since joining (oddly I have used a caravan club site while camping since then)
I should probably cancel both the membership and insurance but the no claims will be handy in future.
Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
-
We’ve used our membership to book a short trip away in early August (showers and loos on offer, all we need, really) and we’re thinking of booking another before that. We invested in a new tent just before lockdown, and we’re keen to try that out and also take our newish dog on a camping trip. We were always going to restrict ourselves to the UK this year, rather than abroad - mostly because of the new dog - so it’s no great loss. My understanding is that many C&CC sites will be open for business within a few weeks but some may not have a full range of facilities on offer.
-
Come to think of it, we have used our membership a few times when shopping at Go Outdoors. You get an extra discount when buying stuff there, so perhaps my decision to cancel was a little premature. Will have another think...
-
I stayed at members-only sites a couple of times last year, plus I'm an active member of the ALC, so my membership was getting regular use.
The Go Outdoors discount has come in handy too (not sure if you get one for being in the CTC?).
I figure that for now I can afford the un-usable membership with the money I'm not spending on silly bike adventures. :-\
-
Two trips booked with the campervan and two trips using the bike / tent pencilled in over the next couple of months. If everything goes OK may think of an extended trip to Scotland in September.
-
To be honest, C&CC sites are exactly the sort of sites I avoid. So in a sense I'm quite glad they exist
-
To be honest, C&CC sites are exactly the sort of sites I avoid. So in a sense I'm quite glad they exist
The Club owned sites are a bit bland, though they're occasionally useful midway through a tour for getting washing done, and the ones with rec rooms make sense for meets in the colder months.
Certified sites are small, independently run and much more varied. They're the ones you actually need membership to use.
-
The problem is that unless you are camping most weekends membership is not cost effective . I might use a CCC site maybe 4 time's a year at most and the site manager I spoke to said I would be cheaper for me to pay non members fee :)
-
The problem is that unless you are camping most weekends membership is not cost effective . I might use a CCC site maybe 4 time's a year at most and the site manager I spoke to said I would be cheaper for me to pay non members fee :)
Yes, this is something the ALC moans about on a regular basis. The membership cost doesn't make sense for a solo backpacker/cyclist, unless you're using it an awful lot or attending enough Section meets (which tend to have lower fees than booking with the site directly) that it breaks even. You do get access to the members-only sites, which can sometimes be worthwhile.
I believe the numbers are a bit more favourable if you're in a family tent or caravan.
-
When we joined, several years ago, it was cheaper to join, but we were staying in one place for at least a week and MrsC got a senior's discount.
One other advantage of the sites is that one can occasionally come across a Wowbagger in the wild. (http://"https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5506.msg2067185#msg2067185")
-
We have a caravan for our sins (older bodies and sick of low beds, poor headroom, faff of wet usage etc) and we're members of both clubs BUT our annual pitch usage doesn't cover cost via the 'members rate' HOWEVER each club has either our car insurance, or our house insurance, caravanning insurers are by far the cheapest (by a country mile) for the 60-90 days of the typical 'snowbirds' buggering off to Spain (or further afield) lots of other comapanies just don't understand or want 'risk' of. LV+ does do car insurance for euro use that is occasionally as cheap.
PS. Note that a weekly/fortnightly house visits are still needed, but not full drain down or heating set to 'cremate' unlike most other companies.
PPS. Some normal companies have 30/60 day limits of duration but are worded 'per insured period' (not per year) so lots of snowbirds take their caravans to Southern Spain very early for better ferry availability (it is crazy busy just after Xmas and into Feb) so a lot just fly back for a 'reset' visit (say NY) then another overnight as needed, flights are just silly cheap booked early (before C19 obv.)
-
The Go Outdoors discount has come in handy too (not sure if you get one for being in the CTC?).
So about that...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53127083
J
-
I've been a C&CC member for donkey's years and I've not done a great deal of camping in recent years. I may be doing a bit more in the next year, given Covid 19 and my plan to do several of the UK-based long distance walking routes.
That said, I treat my C&CC, YHA and National Trust memberships a bit like donations to a greater common good. These are organisations worthy of support, even if it's others that benefit more than me.
-
That said, I treat my C&CC, YHA and National Trust memberships a bit like donations to a greater common good.
So swinging, fascism and cream teas?
Look - I KNOW OK? Cheap joke.
-
To be honest, C&CC sites are exactly the sort of sites I avoid. So in a sense I'm quite glad they exist
The Club owned sites are a bit bland, though they're occasionally useful midway through a tour for getting washing done, and the ones with rec rooms make sense for meets in the colder months.
Certified sites are small, independently run and much more varied. They're the ones you actually need membership to use.
I guess it boils down to what you need them for. I dont tour, so I'm more interested in the immediate environment of the site, such that it is conducive to me wanting to spend time in the actual site, rather than use it purely as a base, or an overnight stop. My favourite sites tend to be the seasonal farm ones.
-
The club is extending memberships for the the length of time that the sites have been closed. We aren't likely to camp for a while yet. The ALC's meets are cancelled until at least August. I think that just as we are starting to feel happier to camp, the weather will cool and the second wave will arrive, but I'm probably being overly pessimistic.
-
The ALC meets are likely to be non-existent this year now.
Sites with facilities open have cancelled the bookings for the year.
We will be able to book as a group but at normal site fees only.
-
MrsC tried to rebook our holiday, planned for September, only to discover that it hadn't been cancelled.
So there is a possibility we will get to use the caravan this year.
-
While I'd agree with comments saying that the club sites can be somewhat bland and a bit samey they do tend to be very well run and offer superb facilities. One of the main draws for me though is that when touring with little Joe he will always find other kids to play with on club sites.
-
I'm a member, though I haven't had a camper van for a couple of years now. But the local site is just 200m down the road and the owner is an occasional drinking mate in the local, so I can't bring myself to leave! I may actually buy another van - or even a caravan - for next year, so I'll keep it going.
-
While I'd agree with comments saying that the club sites can be somewhat bland and a bit samey they do tend to be very well run and offer superb facilities.
This is true. They're also in useful places. And won't turn away backpackers/cyclists as a matter of policy.
-
And won't turn away backpackers/cyclists as a matter of policy.
I wonder how this will change in light of covid.
I emailed to ask, but never got a response. They've been taking non-cyclist/backpacker bookings online for a while, but you can't book online if you're hoping to get the cyclist/backpacker discount.
-
Shared washrooms will be interesting
My favourite campsite, non ccc and only open Whitson week, and july and august, normally doesnt take bookings, you turn up and pitch. It's taking strict bookings
-
They were showing a 30% members discount for grass only pitches but I can't find it now. I guess they are expecting high demand so it's not necessary
-
"Following recent government announcements we will be opening our Club Sites in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland on the 4 July (campsites in Scotland have been confirmed as being able to open without shared facilities initially and with facilities on 15 July - if you have a booking which is affected by this we will be in touch shortly).
We await further guidance for Club Sites in Wales though we are working towards a potential re-opening date of 13 July. "
-
I'm a member so I can get access to the certified sites and "members only" sites.
I'd say if you want a civilised camping/caravanning/motorhome holiday or overnight stay this year, CCC is a good bet as "public" campsites will be full- and no doubt a bit chunk of that will be the people who usually head off to Ibiza and see a "holiday" as "get drunk/drugged and have parties with thumping noise* all night."
*They call it "music" but I beg to disagree.
GC
-
We have membership of both clubs and the main benefit is access to the CL and Cs network. Much cheaper , quieter and better for cycling and walking.
Often get to talk to real farmers which is a bonus.
I am disappointed that both clubs are not opening sites in the NW of Scotland this season.
I'm alsosurprised that they aren't looking at extending the season to recover some income lost during lockdown.
-
The C&CC website states they extended our membership to cover for the three months they were closed in England. I'm sure I also saw it on a newsletter early into lockdown but have been unable to find it. Our new cards arrived last week and the covering letter said they are taking our DD payment on the 2nd August, which is our usual payment date and not a 3 month extension. I've e-mailed them but have only had an automated response telling me they are all busy at this difficult time. I'm not surprised why if they are going to do things like that.....
-
As a caravan virgin (collecting van on 8th Aug) I've joined both, CC and C&CC. We've finally found storage on a C&CC site, but have had type 2 phun trying to give them money and book it. In the course of which we have been told that they are around seven weeks behind, answering emails. Venceremos.
-
Think will cancel the DD. We aren't camping with them this year anyway and will review next year.
I don't mind, it's not a huge sum of money and as said above it's not a bad thing paying for a service they provide other members of the community it's just there isn't a single mention of the current situation in the renewal letter. I can't find the page on the website about the three month closure anymore but I do have a screenshot of it.
-
Took them six days to respond, not seven weeks.
They are apparently extending the membership by three months at the end of the upcoming membership period so ours will be extended from August 2021 to November 2021. I guess that way we all get three months extension whereas some people would miss out if their membership had expired during the shut down.
An insert in the renewal letter saying this would have saved them a lot of e-mail backlog I suspect.
-
I sold our narrowboat last year after 10 years and bought a motorhome. Just in time for lockdown! Now off tomorrow to bring covid to Cornwall, apparently they have not enough.
Joined the Caravan and Motorhome club. How does that compare to the camping and caravanning club?
Hoping to go on a more extended trip in September, but in the meantime St Mawes beckons. I expect we will have decided to buy a house by the end of the week. Getting tired of London.
-
Joined the Caravan and Motorhome club. How does that compare to the camping and caravanning club?
It's pretty shit if you've got a tent...
-
Joined the Caravan and Motorhome club. How does that compare to the camping and caravanning club?
It's pretty shit if you've got a tent...
Yep. The reason I maintain my membership of the Camping and Caravanning Club is that it provides for all types of caravanning/camping - not just the motorised sort, as the Caravan & Motorhome Club does.
-
Tents are accepted at quite a number of Caravan and Motorhome sites. I've camped at Brora, Edinburgh and Berwick.
-
Tents are accepted at quite a number of Caravan and Motorhome sites. I've camped at Brora, Edinburgh and Berwick.
It's about 80 sites - out of a network of several thousand Caravan & Motorhome sites (including certificated sites).
-
Advice please: planning a Dungeness-Durness trip for next spring (April/May) and worked out that the Old Codgers' discount plus membership discount saved about seven quid each night at CCC sites, so half a dozen nights would pay for the £41 membership fee. Also they'd be clean and properly run, and there are a lot of them. I could book, turn up late, sleep, and go.
Good idea or daft?
-
Unless the rule has changed, as a cyclist or backpacker you do not need to book. The site warden has to find you a space.
-
Now that is very reassuring, many thanks, I didn't know that. Am thinking I might arrive too late for the reception to be still open though. I assume I rock up and put the tent somewhere sensible and then find the warden person and pay in the morning?
-
Advice please: planning a Dungeness-Durness trip for next spring (April/May) and worked out that the Old Codgers' discount plus membership discount saved about seven quid each night at CCC sites, so half a dozen nights would pay for the £41 membership fee. Also they'd be clean and properly run, and there are a lot of them. I could book, turn up late, sleep, and go.
Good idea or daft?
Phone them and ask, there's also the likely hood of current restrictions continuing Into next summer.
As things are just now a number of sites have no facilities, so unless you want to cart a portapotty around...
Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
-
Advice please: planning a Dungeness-Durness trip for next spring (April/May) and worked out that the Old Codgers' discount plus membership discount saved about seven quid each night at CCC sites, so half a dozen nights would pay for the £41 membership fee. Also they'd be clean and properly run, and there are a lot of them. I could book, turn up late, sleep, and go.
Good idea or daft?
Phone them and ask, there's also the likely hood of current restrictions continuing Into next summer.
As things are just now a number of sites have no facilities, so unless you want to cart a portapotty around...
Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
Yep, that's what is thwarting my plans at the moment, OK if you none-tent, buggered for shower & loo if you are in a tent!
-
Increasing number of people using Day vans as campervans, rather than have full facilities units.
So provision of facilities has become quite important, who ever it is that bought a job lot of portapotties and small, tall tents with bog roll hangers is probably laughing.
-
buggered for shower & loo if you are in a tent!
That is an issue, no doubt. I'd planned to have a sort of wipedown with a wet cloth, possibly an old sock, and dry on a shirt. As for loos: Number Ones in a bush, Number Twos at the breakfast stop in the morning.
It's the glamour that brings me to cycling, y'know.
-
buggered for shower & loo if you are in a tent!
That is an issue, no doubt. I'd planned to have a sort of wipedown with a wet cloth, possibly an old sock, and dry on a shirt. As for loos: Number Ones in a bush, Number Twos at the breakfast stop in the morning.
It's the glamour that brings me to cycling, y'know.
48 hour underarm deodorant, babywipes and two nights in a bivi followed by one night in a B&B.
-
Bucket of water above head, 12v Immersion heater (or at least kettle on gas hob) and a shower head, job done (ish)
More refined versions exist.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/124314274902?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=124314274902&targetid=885285326120&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9046864&poi=&campaignid=10219897599&mkgroupid=103415893353&rlsatarget=pla-885285326120&abcId=1063846&merchantid=9762504&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1qL6BRCmARIsADV9JtboWsjt365krOAoabPbj_OCf4qSQJWkNXt5fJ63wD5tTeqf-kc0SZEaAsAxEALw_wcB
-
48 hour underarm deodorant, babywipes and two nights in a bivi followed by one night in a B&B.
IRTA bagpipes. I suppose if you're playing those, nobody will be close enough to care what you smell like.
-
48 hour underarm deodorant, babywipes and two nights in a bivi followed by one night in a B&B.
IRTA bagpipes. I suppose if you're playing those, nobody will be close enough to care what you smell like.
:D
-
I've cancelled my membership. The £40 odd a year is a bit much when we as a family don't actually camp that much.
I paid the extra to join the ALC section and this annoyed me after reading about the clubs beginnings. Started by cyclists who camped. Paying extra as a cyclist who camps I feel is taking the piss. I only attended 2 meets since joining due to distance issues although I was made very welcome by other members there.
I've yet to be turned away from a campsite and never been asked to show my c&cc membership. My dad and I have just completed the Way of the Roses over 6 days and all sites including 2 certificated sites were pre booked.
The C&CC can shove their hefty membership fees.
-
But would not the member's discount at CCC sites pay for the£41 annual membership fee after your six nights using them?
(Or did you camp in other sure, not CCC ones?)
-
Not even close. We only stayed at 3 c&cc sites.
We'd have to do an awful lot of camping to get enough in discounts to cover the £41.
-
I've cancelled my membership. The £40 odd a year is a bit much when we as a family don't actually camp that much.
I paid the extra to join the ALC section and this annoyed me after reading about the clubs beginnings. Started by cyclists who camped. Paying extra as a cyclist who camps I feel is taking the piss. I only attended 2 meets since joining due to distance issues although I was made very welcome by other members there.
I've yet to be turned away from a campsite and never been asked to show my c&cc membership. My dad and I have just completed the Way of the Roses over 6 days and all sites including 2 certificated sites were pre booked.
The C&CC can shove their hefty membership fees.
At one time I was a member of the C&CC and ALC although I enjoyed the few ALC meets I attended it did not warrant the membership cost.
-
But would not the member's discount at CCC sites pay for the£41 annual membership fee after your six nights using them?
If you are a cycle camper, it's more like 20 nights at C&CC sites to recoup the £41 in reduced charges. Given the limited holiday time for someone in full time work and the normal proportion of non-C&CC sites, my view is that paying membership is only worth while if you want access to the member-only certificated sites.
The 6 nights will be for motorised campers (it will vary depending on big tent/caravan. electric hookup etc).
-
But would not the member's discount at CCC sites pay for the£41 annual membership fee after your six nights using them?
If you are a cycle camper, it's more like 20 nights at C&CC sites to recoup the £41 in reduced charges. Given the limited holiday time for someone in full time work and the normal proportion of non-C&CC sites, my view is that paying membership is only worth while if you want access to the member-only certificated sites.
It gets slightly better if you go to a decent number of section meets, which tend to be cheaper still, but yes, this is a point of much annoyance amongst the ALC types.
-
I've cancelled my membership. The £40 odd a year is a bit much when we as a family don't actually camp that much.
I paid the extra to join the ALC section and this annoyed me after reading about the clubs beginnings. Started by cyclists who camped. Paying extra as a cyclist who camps I feel is taking the piss. I only attended 2 meets since joining due to distance issues although I was made very welcome by other members there.
I've yet to be turned away from a campsite and never been asked to show my c&cc membership. My dad and I have just completed the Way of the Roses over 6 days and all sites including 2 certificated sites were pre booked.
The C&CC can shove their hefty membership fees.
My biggest dilemma was the discount we get when going to certain shops. Buy some expensive boots or waterproof jacket at Go Outdoors and the C & CC discount can give you a big chunk of your membership back.
-
I've cancelled my membership. The £40 odd a year is a bit much when we as a family don't actually camp that much.
I paid the extra to join the ALC section and this annoyed me after reading about the clubs beginnings. Started by cyclists who camped. Paying extra as a cyclist who camps I feel is taking the piss. I only attended 2 meets since joining due to distance issues although I was made very welcome by other members there.
I've yet to be turned away from a campsite and never been asked to show my c&cc membership. My dad and I have just completed the Way of the Roses over 6 days and all sites including 2 certificated sites were pre booked.
The C&CC can shove their hefty membership fees.
My biggest dilemma was the discount we get when going to certain shops. Buy some expensive boots or waterproof jacket at Go Outdoors and the C & CC discount can give you a big chunk of your membership back.
I have various sources of such discounts; such as club membership of the MCofS (who are currently seriously pissing me off but anyway...), but my CCC membership is largelly based around motorhome insurance although the broker has never asked for proof of club membership since the policy was set up, hm...