Types of CLs

Hardstanding NOT wanted!  IMHO they spoil what is essentially a rural experience.  I accept that in the dead of winter when its been very wet, they have their uses. But if a HS is essential for you, then stick to a CC site.

The provision of HS must put up the cost to the site owner, which in turn means to us.  I will even accept for short stays no EHU, but do prefer them.

TF

Please don't tell me or others which sites to stick to, TF. 

Have you considered the reverse opinion that provision of HS will probably increase the amount of business the CL owner gets so won't necessarily increase site fees? No, you clearly haven't. 

Hard standing is not on our priority list. Neither is an all singing all dancing toilet and shower block.  Our van already has a great toilet and shower.

The beauty of CLs are that the best ones are rural and unspoiled.

There are thousands of caravan sites which cater for those who like the Supermarket car park look and have a preference for using public lavatories.

Cheers..........K

A couple of HS maketh not a supermarket car park. 

TW, Why do you always take personal umbrage?  I never ctiticise you or anyone else, but you seem to love to personalise all counter views to your own!

I accept that your views often differ to mine, and until now have never commented on your responses because I respect your freedom to disagree. Please show me a similar courtesy!

TF

TW, Why do you always take personal umbrage?  I never ctiticise you or anyone else, but you seem to love to personalise all counter views to your own!

I accept that your views often differ to mine, and until now have never commented on your responses because I respect your freedom to disagree. Please show me a similar courtesy!

TF

You criticise plenty, TF, and for someone who says he respects differing opinions you have a strange way of showing it as you appear to want to control various situations in the way it suits you. 

Has anyone considered that hard standings may have been put in for the site owners convenience? It's not fun for anyone when a vehicle or caravan gets stuck in soft ground. Breakdown vehicles that are called to tow the unit out cause even more damage. Perhaps it's worth the money installing hard standings to make it more stress free for the site owner.

That's a very good point, oakapple. We don't specifically seek out Cls with HS but then we've only got a fairly small van so unless conditions are very poor we're unlikely to do much damage on the grass. But you're certainly correct that with bigger and heavier outfits now becoming the norm the inconvenience caused by such damage must be a big factor in deciding to install HS.

...but (due to changing demograpics) isn't there a move towards ever lighter vans that can be towed by ever lighter cars....

and many mass market MHs must now come in with a decent payload at 3.5t...

yes, there will always be a market for larger more luxurious and heavy vans, but with younger families taking up touring but not having the license groups to drive larger vehicles, the pressure will increase on manufacturers.

however, back to the OP....

just a personal view, but im not really a fan of CLs being pushed ever further upmarket in terms of facilities...

HS, EHU, toilets, showers, what next...a shop, a swimming pool, entertainment in the clubhouse.... 

of course most wont go to these extremes but adding expensive facilities will surely pass costs back to the customer, making the 'cheap and cheerful' CL possibly a thing of the past?

personally, a nicely mown field (CDP and recycling/waste) is sufficient for us, but respect others desires to have similar facilities to club sites.

however, for us its the location of a CL that drives the choice, we will take whatever services it has (or doesnt have) provided its in the right place and the costs of any 'improvements' dont push the price beyond something realistic....

Definate HS and prefrably EHU. M/H are notoriously bad on the dampest and least slope.

We use a couple of CL's that are all grass, both of them are open all year, however they both have a drive that should the grass be too soft and wet in the off season you can park to oneside on the drive. There is still access to EHU and water and the views are just the same. If they were to put in H/S pitches on these CL's I think it would be very costly due to the size of the field, an access road would have to be built across it first and then individual pitches. IMO it would spoilt the whole feel of the CL, I'm not a lover of grass now we have a M/H but a grass CL gives much more flexability for pitching.