What Would a UK Club Type Aire Look Like

I would question just how some of the Club/Experience Freedom offers are put out to Members. Back in November last year, we booked two nights at Cayton Bay to stay alongside our close friends who can no longer tour for health reasons. (I’d add that we all remain Members.) Cayton was empty, a mere six, seven outfits on the whole site (top area was closed) possibly 3-4 pods in use, including our friends. We actually paid more per night to take our own outfit on a standard pitch than they did to occupy an ensuite pod, which obviously required cleaning once they had left🤷‍♀️ We actually decided to book a pod next time, as it was cheaper and less hassle than taking our own outfit.

 The conclusion we came to was that just possibly, some of the quite high pitch fees, are subsidising other areas of what the Club provides. 

it will never be a Club entirely suitable for motorhome/campervan owners just looking for short stay stops close to attractions.

Then, as I've asked you before, why are so many MHs doing just that? The evidence from what I see is MH on sites stopping just for one or two nights? And also the club's own statistics? Why is the membership the highest ever with the highest ever re-joining rate? Why are so many new and existing members have MH and outnumber caravans? If what you say is true why are MH not going somewhere else? Why aren't all these MH using other providers? Why not use cheaper CLs?

Sorry PD but the evidence and particularly the statistics all show the club is entirely suitable for MHs, either wanting a short or long stay.

As for attractions, I can't think of one site I've used (and I don't stay on site) that isn't close to attractions? Are many of these Scottish aires close to attractions? 

Nail on head there, PD. The areas like Scotland have seen a need for stopping places and have started putting them in place especially for touring the likes of the NC500. That’s to be applauded and is exactly why, in my view, such provision should be organised in the targeted areas by the communities/organisations affected rather than a national club which has no input to, nor is directly affected by, the transient MH tourers. I see this as two completely different sectors of the leisure industry.

I’m not sure that Aires in the strictest sense of the word have arrived anywhere in this country, although from our experience Scotland is at least trying. It all depends what you think of as an “attraction” as well. That to me might be a peaceful forest where I can walk or ride my bike, or a riverside park up close to a lovely little town like Kircudbright. Others might want/ need a more town/ village centred stay, little or next to no walking.

I don’t think it’s ever going to be the Club that provides something like this, and in truth, not sure that they have either the will or the need to, given it runs the CL network. An entity like the NT could make it work, given the land they own, and the big car parks that are on property estates, but again, users will probably want water, CPD disposal, so would need a business plan. The NFU is a possible other entity that could be worth approaching. 

I’m not sure that Aires in the strictest sense of the word have arrived anywhere in this country

They are about, one I have stayed on is in Hawick, adjacent parkland with an easy walk into town.

peedee

Sorry, that was wrongly phrased PD to be honest, I should have said there aren’t that many true Aires around, and we like you have used a few😁 Will look for that one in Hawick, we like the Borders. Have just looked at the CamPra section of S4S, some good looking ones on there. We stopped on a lovely overnight place near Bury St Edmunds a couple of years ago, Magglia Rosso. Bike shop with a delicious cafe. Free overnight. Safe and quiet little village. 

The National Trust, Historic England and any number of our famous Country Houses could make provision for overnight parking as with some exceptions they have the space. The problem, however, is that they will be tempted to include an overnight stay with access to the property with an appropriate fee? Didn't this happen at Stourhead and of course Portmeirion. So anyone thinking they would be providing good value stopovers is probably in for a shock, unless the intention is also to visit the property.

David

I think you are right about Stourhead David, isn't/waasn't there a CL on site? Some inroads have been made with the NT, they now provide motorhome parking places at some sites and I think they ran overnight trials on a site in the Lake District. (It might still be open) I think their main concern about overnight stop overs is security of any buildings on sites.

peedee

P.S. Just checked and looks like NT are running all ex CLs themselves and Stourhead is still available with entry to the estate.

We’ve booked Stourhead as it’s an ideal place to meet friends but at £30 a night (admission to estate included) it is a bit overpriced as we are National Trust members. Normally we wouldn’t have used it but it’s in the right place. Portmeirion was £75 a night but included admission, which would have cost £40. There was also a tap on each pitch and a very good facilities block. I thought it good value for money. Unlike the CAMC the full amount was payable at the time of booking for both sites and lost in the event of cancellation.

cant see Airies type sites being very plentiful in the UK, although i have seen a number of pubs in Devon/Cornwall that allow overnight parking but some are insisting that you buy an evening meal/breakfast which for some is a no no !! , and when i saw an 8m MH towing a car trying to navigate the narrow road up to the car park at Godrevey beach earlier this year i did wonder what the driver was using as a brain.

I know they work in France but i think the make up of France and the open countryside which is plentiful lends itself to Airies type sites and motorhomes.

and it would seem route NC500 has many problems with Motorhomes/campervans, i see at least 1 article per week on google as below.