Club pitch prices

O Dear O dear !!  Mine is a long story, but will keep it short, club member for many years, sold our caravan just after end of Covid, last used at Broadway site. 2021. Thought we would retire now in late 70's but missed touring.

Second thoughts so buying another soon and just renewed membership, Having not checked any sites for booking and costs as there was no need have been looking at various sites to book, and had the shock of my life seeing the increase in site fees, what has caused the hype. There ar many members commenting on this topic and I would agree with the majority that the rise is too much. Looking for a decent used van now but have got to drop in price a lot if we are to continue using Club sites

Oh dear what a shock for you. Is it too late to cancel and get a refund. I am going to join camping and caravan club. Not only cheaper in every way over 60's get 25% discount low and mid season.

There are certainly plenty of other options out there...the Club option was always easy...find site, good booking terms, mid range price, decent cancellation conditions...

things are changing with the clubs USP of 'free' changes of heart within 72 hrs now a thing of the past and deposits to find, just like other providers.

now it's more down to location, if you want a 'proper' camps site (although commercials are likely to give more physically for your money) or a move towards CL type sites or even THS temporary holiday sites that can be found close to town centres for about £10 - £12 a night.

some who've never considered straying from the Club portfolio are now looking around at other options.

If you get a van with good on board facilities, you can make your money go a lot further by using CLs, with or without facilities.  No need to use Club sites at all.   Commercial sites can also be less expensive and have better facilities.  The  Camping and Caravanning Club offer good discounts to the over 60s in the mid  and low seasons, they also have their CS network.

As an example, we are coming to the  end of a 5 week tour, 1 large commercial, taking along our daughter and 2 grandchildren for 7 nights,  3 CLs, 3 CCC sites and one small commercial (no facilities but all pitches serviced).   Average cost per night works out at just under  £22.  Least expensive was a serviced CL at £17.50.

The no facilities Club sites can also be good VFM.

We have not used any Club sites in the last 2 years, but remain members for the CL network.

From memory (not too good today so may be wrong) I believe the current membership is at an all time high of 380,000 'households'? And the highest re-joining rate ever too (why are people re-joining so much- can't all be for the non site uses?)

But the  membership figure therefore does literally count, as 380,000 times £50 for a household is over £19 million. Not bad?

Maybe some have "rejoined" because they failed to stop their auto renew/rejoin ..... 

My fault entirely  but I'm in that boat  .... I got an email to say that I'd rejoined as of July .... 🤔

...and, for what it's worth, I also reckon £36.50 at Chatsworth is a pretty hefty price for a club site in November....I'd be as unlikely to pay that as to cough up £55 in August, let alone over £61 for a 'Super Pitch'...💷💷💷

Clearly over 100 of us don’t think the same YT,  in November 20 of its 30 days are sold out on all pitch types, as I pointed out November isn’t out of season for Chatsworth and the £36.50 we are paying is for a super pitch.

But I seem to remember that you still considered it value for money to stay on club sites when the facility blocks were closed due to Covid.

You’ve got a good memory ED as that was in May 21.

As it was during covid there were limited sites available given the notice we were given of closure and that one was the only one available for where we wanted to be / visit. So yes in that respect it was value for money. Location trumps most other considerations in our site selection.

But there is a CS and a CL not far away. A few miles of a drive, park the car for £5 - 10 ( can't remember how much), walk along the public footpath, pass the Club site and wander around the grounds of Chatsworth for free. We then retraced our steps and caught the bus to to Bakewell for free. I personally cannot see what Chatsworth has to offer for more than 1/2 a day.