First Rally

cannot all be like can they?

No, I'm sure they're not, but it does colour one's thoughts. Without the noisy neighbours, it would have been a different experience, but I wonder if it's worth the asking price? Especially when you can research and read member's experiences of CLs and CC sites.

Enjoyed reading the review of rallying, ,my family and I are new to caravaning , and have really enjoyed the sites we have stopped on so far. However , when speaking to hard core seasoned pro caravaners , there is much emphasis placed upon rallies and more to the point our over paying on club sites with family facilities. My take like RedMIck is , cheap for a reason , our preference is basic comforts with facilities that suit the children, so what we are paying more, at least site rules prevent unforeseen hassle such as 3 nights of Unhappiness. Will certainly be cautious of rallies without prior knowledge, cheers.

 I'm sure rallying suits a vast number of members. Some I spoke to go every weekend throughout the year!

 I think it's mainly a social thing, meeting like minded people throughout the season. The cost of the rallies themselves don't stack up with facilities provided in my opinion. I would happily spend a two or three pounds a night extra and get basic facilities, no swimming pools or playgrounds though.

  I'm sure that even Bank Holiday weekend, I could better £16 per night on a CL.

I thought rallys were organised with events of their own was there nothing going on at the rally to take your mind off the other 'noisy events' (personally I might have been tempted to join in) 

got enough trouble with noisy neighbours at home without having it when you go away

I would love to know what exactly this rally was advertised as that convinced you to go on it in the first place, Mick. I certainly hope it wasn't as "a quiet weekend" ! Sounds like you had some kind of festival next to you, the centre really should have advised you of this . 

Not great experience. Think we're too comfort lovers for this. Do you ever get rallys with facilities?

It is a shame your first rally did not go well, and the costs you are quoting are nothing like what I have been paying.  It also looks like it was the wrong rally for you to try if you were looking for something quiet.  If you try another I would read the information carefully, and then ask the mashal if it is just a quiet weekend before booking.

My first rally was at Bolton Abbey for about £19, for the weekend, Friday through to Sunday late afternoon.  It was a very quiet weekend.

My second rally was at Studly Royal, near Fountains abbey, I think that was was about £17, and there was EHU available for an additional cost.  Thast was also extremly quiet.

My third rally was about £15 I think.  That was a childrens sprts rally, so Saturday afternoon there was the noise of that, but that was it.  There was also a social in the evening if you wished to attend that.

My next rally starts tomorrow.  £22 for a bank holiday weekend, and that includes a social with food, that's only £7.33 per night for a bank holiday.

I am assuming for £50 for a weekend, that a lot is arranged, but if you are looking for a quiet rally, I would expect it to be a lot cheaper.

As other people have said rallying is more of a social event, rather than just a cheap get away, but it should not be very expensive.

Gulp. I'm off to my first rally next weekend, billed as "The Most Chilled Out Weekend Ever ... put your legs down and your feet up. That's it!!" Admin fee £3.60 and site fee £6.00. Most site fees in the Scottish Caravan Club book seem to be under or around a tenner. I certainly couldn't afford £50 for a weekend - even at a site.