When is 'off peak'?

ScreenName0AAB5FF8E1 replied on 12/05/2024 12:32

Posted on 12/05/2024 12:32

We have just done our first touring type holiday in our self converted camper and used all club sites in care of apocalyptic weather or some other disaster that forced a change of location.

I noticed that all the sites I picked stated they were 'peaceful off peak'. But how do you know when 'off peak' is? I imagined that early May in term time was off peak in terms of UK holidays, but I was wrong! Despite ghastly weather up until about 2 days before we travelled, most sites we stayed at were full. On a couple of occasions this worked for us because the available pitches were near the exit, which is better with a reactive dog than parading past the world and his/her staked out pooches  But I would find planning a tour easier if sites stated when to expect this peaceful off peak time to occur. Or is every site always full on an unexpectedly sunny weekend? (Or any day of the week when dry weather is expected in Scotland?)

Hja replied on 12/05/2024 13:08

Posted on 12/05/2024 13:08

For the CAMC peak appears to be any bank holiday, and several days each side,  or any school holiday in the country where the site is. Not sure they have a useful table like the ccc does which gives you their different changing periods in each uk country.

eurortraveller replied on 12/05/2024 13:57

Posted on 12/05/2024 13:57

It’s not when you go - it’s where you go which counts.

DavidKlyne replied on 12/05/2024 15:13

Posted on 12/05/2024 15:13

There is no doubt that in recent years the peak or slightly peak season has extending to a fair slice of the year. It also differs from site to site. So a very popular site may well have more peak pricing, whereas quieter sites might offer lower prices for longer. Best way is to check availability for any site you are interested in and scroll through the year to see how the price differs as the year progresses. As we now have dynamic pricing that can also impact of prices so you could have an event near to a site, like a horse show or air show, that might influence prices when it seems not to be a peak period. A lot of commercial sites tend to have two or three price bands across the year and price their pitches for two persons which is different to the CMC.

David

Takethedogalong replied on 12/05/2024 15:33

Posted on 12/05/2024 15:33

Prices can change on a daily basis via the DP system, so weekends tend to cost more, if a site is busy, it costs more, some locations cost more, and certainly, any school holidays and the run up to them will cost more. 

If you want to spend quite a while (5-6-7 days plus) at a Club Site, know when and where you want to go, are able to book your holiday well in advance, and have no intention of moving your dates, then there are a few sites with special offers, but you will have to jump through all those hoops.

 

Goldie146 replied on 12/05/2024 17:14

Posted on 12/05/2024 17:14

I understood the Op was asking when the quieter times were (as the blurb said “quiet off peak”) - not when the prices were cheaper. 

SteveL replied on 13/05/2024 12:05

Posted on 12/05/2024 17:14 by Goldie146

I understood the Op was asking when the quieter times were (as the blurb said “quiet off peak”) - not when the prices were cheaper. 

Posted on 13/05/2024 12:05

I also understood the OP to mean that. Away from school holidays and weekends we generally find most sites quieter. That doesn’t mean they are not reasonably full, just that most of the RV’s are occupied by couples rather than families.

Takethedogalong replied on 13/05/2024 13:22

Posted on 13/05/2024 13:22

Anything Monday to Thursday, except in school holidays. Weekends at some sites are very busy, as working folks like to have time away Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. Cooler months obviously quieter than Summer ones. 

We are just back from Clumber Park. Weds & Thursday nights, site possibly not even half full. Friday and Saturdays were full, even the grass pitches. Weather was glorious. 

If you want things quieter, look for the no facility sites, and the ones away from nearby towns/cities.  

nelliethehooker replied on 13/05/2024 20:36

Posted on 13/05/2024 20:36

It does depend on where one wants tour, as we are in Scotland, and have been for a few weeks now, and both the CC sites at Killin were quite even at weekends, both no more than 1/3rd full. It was the same on the C&CC Sites at Nairn and Milarrochy Bay, and the weather up here has been as good as anywhere in the country.

near Malvern Hills Club Campsite Member photo by Andrew Cole

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