Ability to chose hardstanding pitches on all sites

AandJ replied on 08/09/2021 17:47

AandJ

Posted on 08/09/2021 17:47

I want the club to look at giving members the option to chose hard standing or grass pitch on the sites where standard pitches can be either or.
This season I have experienced problems on a few popular sites whereby I’ve booked a standard pitch with awning only to turn up (at a reasonable time 2-3pm) to find there are only grass pitches left. With a 4.5 tonne Motorhome this makes me Cringe. With all the rain we’ve had grass pitches have been really soft and twice we’ve had to get off using mud runners.
I’ve also seen many other Motorhome sand larger caravans struggling to stop wheels sinking in or awning being like mud pools. There have been several reviews around on some of these sites were members have stated they’ve booked a std pitch with awning expecting hardstanding, as on sites that are all hardstanding, only to turn up to be told only grass left and these have been very wet and several not fit for purpose.
The sites that I experienced problems with and heard from other members that have major issues are, Tewkesbury, Hurn Lane, Seacroft, Hill Head and Gowerton. There are probably others.
I know some people like grass and that’s fine, but if that’s the case let them book them and let those of us who literally hate them cos they are not suitable for modern caravans or Motorhome chose hard standing.
I don’t even mind paying a bit more for hard standing but I do object to paying the same for a poor quality, inferior, soggy under sized grass pitch ( lots of these at Tewkesbury and Hurn Lane ) . It should be personal choice so give us that choice and I think you might find there’s a drop in bookings at these sites, perhaps that’s why you don’t put in in the information options.
Of course the best option would be to do away with soggy grass pitches and make them hard standing or at least increase the proportion of hard standing . So come on CAMC give us the option on all sites so that we’re all getting the same value for our money and not getting Stuck in the Mud which is we’re the club seems to be .

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404 replies

JollyKernow replied on 15/09/2021 09:10

Member

JollyKernow

Motorhomer from Devon

Posted on 15/09/2021 08:37 by ErnieJH

Like most people I think it is quite reasonable for people to be able to book the type of pitch, hard standing or grass, I suspect that the current booking system has the ability to do this and all it needs is for the decision to be made. There were claims that it confused people during the trial. However people don’t appear to be confused by serviced pitches. I think the only confusion was probably due to people changing their minds what sort of pitch they wanted when they arrived on site. But I think waiting for a change is like watching paint dry.

Posted on 15/09/2021 09:10

Morning

I can assure you Ernie, changes are coming. Lots of changes

Rocky 2 buckets replied on 15/09/2021 09:15

Rocky 2 buckets

Posted on 15/09/2021 09:09 by SteveL

Personally I think it will result in a reduction in overall pitch bookings at the ends of the year when grass is still in use. In the middle part not so much. Probably the reason the CC didn’t want to introduce it, supposedly due to confusion. Pitch type booking will I think inevitably lead to the construction of more hardstanding at the expense of grass.

Posted on 15/09/2021 09:15

I struggle with that reduction overall SL🤷🏻‍♂️. I prefer HS but if I was told no then I’d take a grass one. Surely only an allergic reaction to grass or some psychological abberation would have folk going elsewhere?🤔

brue replied on 15/09/2021 09:23

Member

brue

Motorhomer

Posted on 15/09/2021 09:23

Booking pitch types hasn't been a problem with the other club, they recognised people had preferences.

SteveL replied on 15/09/2021 09:23

Member

SteveL

Motorhomer from Nottinghamshire

Posted on 15/09/2021 09:15 by Rocky 2 buckets

I struggle with that reduction overall SL🤷🏻‍♂️. I prefer HS but if I was told no then I’d take a grass one. Surely only an allergic reaction to grass or some psychological abberation would have folk going elsewhere?🤔

Posted on 15/09/2021 09:23

It would depend when we were booking. Last minute weather guaranteed no problem. Or at sites where I know the ground is very firm, even when wet. However, we generally plan ahead with our bookings and in those circumstances I would be looking for a hardstanding pitch. This tour I have gone for a C&CC site where I could book HS, rather than a nearby CAMC site with a high proportion of grass. At another we have booked a service pitch to make sure we are on HS. I’m just not keen on putting our 3.5 tonne MH on potentially very soggy ground. I was more confident with four wheel drive and our caravan but still preferred HS.

replied on 15/09/2021 09:26

Posted on 15/09/2021 08:31 by EmilysDad

is Dave casting insults? That's how it comes across to those of us that don't have a preference for hardstanding. I'm sure if they could gravel all pitches on all sites, the club would have already done so or started to do so.

The C&CC site I was recently on had a good mix of both surface types & it was certainly NOT the case that the hardstandings were fully used before the grass ... admittedly there was a wider mix of caravans/MHs/tents/trailer tents.

Posted on 15/09/2021 09:26

There is a significant cost difference between serviced hard standing and non serviced grass at the extremes which is more pronounced for solo users. When last at ST Neots there were a number of solo motorhomes and campers whose owner seemed to be working in the area. The cheaper option in May saves £12.50 a night at just under £21 instead off over £33 which, if working away, is significant. The last CL we were on, Monarch Lakes near Boston. There were 3 of the 5 pitches taken by three motor homes etc working in the area at £20 a night on HS.

Rocky 2 buckets replied on 15/09/2021 09:29

Rocky 2 buckets

Posted on 15/09/2021 09:23 by SteveL

It would depend when we were booking. Last minute weather guaranteed no problem. Or at sites where I know the ground is very firm, even when wet. However, we generally plan ahead with our bookings and in those circumstances I would be looking for a hardstanding pitch. This tour I have gone for a C&CC site where I could book HS, rather than a nearby CAMC site with a high proportion of grass. At another we have booked a service pitch to make sure we are on HS. I’m just not keen on putting our 3.5 tonne MH on potentially very soggy ground.

Posted on 15/09/2021 09:29

Thanks, using your full armoury👍🏻

young thomas replied on 15/09/2021 09:37

Member

young thomas

Motorhomer

Posted on 15/09/2021 09:37

I'm at a site with HS and grass. We were on a grass pitch, absolutely fine except I couldn't get a satellite signal due to a well placed tree.

no problem, I moved to a more open pitch the following morning (took about 3 or four minutes) and am now on a HS.

While the pitch might hold up better in prolonged poor weather, it certainly has a less pleasant 'feel' to it...as is often described, more car park than camping pitch, with chippings making the pitch look and feel more like a cheaply surfaced B road.

no doubt the Club will settle on how many grass pitches it needs to keep to give those that prefer them an option in most seasons...and then presumably close them in winter.

replied on 15/09/2021 09:39

Posted on 15/09/2021 08:33 by eurortraveller

I read A&J’s opening post. It beats me why he sticks to Club sites if he / she finds them so unsatisfactory. A bit like someone sticking to Wetherspoons but wanting them to change the menu because they don’t like it - but still going there. Go somewhere else. There are other sites run by other operators which will give him the hard standing he wants.

Posted on 15/09/2021 09:39

There are variables though. Being retired we have had no problem getting hard standings as we arrive at sites at or just after earliest arrival and don't tour during main school summer holidays. Our trips have been at least 6 sites and up to 10 or 11. If I came to book and HS unavailable I would go elsewhere. I have used CMC sites because I have been effectively guaranteed a HS pitch and never been forced to take grass and like this clubs sites. That could be about to change.

I choose HS purely because that is what I want to walk on around the caravan

SteveL replied on 15/09/2021 09:53

Member

SteveL

Motorhomer from Nottinghamshire

Posted on 15/09/2021 08:33 by eurortraveller

I read A&J’s opening post. It beats me why he sticks to Club sites if he / she finds them so unsatisfactory. A bit like someone sticking to Wetherspoons but wanting them to change the menu because they don’t like it - but still going there. Go somewhere else. There are other sites run by other operators which will give him the hard standing he wants.

Posted on 15/09/2021 09:53

Perhaps because they like the T&C’s and can generally get a hardstanding. However, if deposits are brought in without pitch type booking, that could change everything. It certainly would for me, if I’m paying a deposit anyway, why not look elsewhere.