CAMC closed toilets …

[myvanrodney]

Am I imagining it, or are CAMC sites’ toilet closed times (for cleaning) creeping longer and longer?

Were at our 5th site in the highlands and today’s one has broken the record with 2hrs closed with no alternative facilities (I was directed to the public toilets in the local villiage!)

I think 30-45 mins is reasonable (they have to be cleaned of course) but anything longer should always have a service toilet open? Not everyone has their own facilities and especially late morning is I would expect one of the busiest times of the day

Anyone else feel similarly somewhat short changed?

 

[dspuk]

Never bothered us. They always are very clear on the doors and when you check in what the cleaning times are - we just make sure we use them before that time.

 

[Meoncoast]

I would rather that than some S@>T holes that are not cleaned just work around the listed times.

 

[KevH]

There is a serious point to this, in that many fellow campers might not be able to easily “work around” a two hour closure of all facilities.
As a Prostate cancer sufferer I know this only too well. A pee bottle often comes to the rescue, but sometimes it’s a very close call.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

Thetford site holds the record.....it doesn't have any!

 

[myvanrodney]

... is it not like staying at a hotel with checkout from your room at 12 noon, but being told your ensuite will be locked at 10... i guess i struggle to understand why the perfect cleaning window for the punter would not be the quiet hour between checkout and checkin (12:00 - 13:00)

incidentally, i have seen some sites now introducing a split toilet block. very clever- allows them to always leave one side open. i hope they catch on

 

[BeeBee]

A 2 hour closure slot with no alternative is ridiculous, as most of these sites are ‘not exactly cheap’ nowadays.
Surely a better closing time of 1pm -2pm as usual leaving and arrival times coincide and therefore lower numbers requiring use.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

A 2 hour closure slot with no alternative is ridiculous, as most of these sites are ‘not exactly cheap’ nowadays.
Surely a better closing time of 1pm -2pm as usual leaving and arrival times coincide and therefore lower numbers requiring use.

Good in theory...but who is booking you in if they are frantically cleaning the loos when you arrive, there is usually only two warden couples per site! Every site I have stayed on the toilet blocks are closed 10-11 sometimes 12.

 

[Van Diesel VW]

Sites I have stayed on normally have an accessible toilet still available when main block closed. Recently stayed at Sandringham, which has new blocks and these are split so can be cleaned half at a time, with other half still accessible.

 

[myvanrodney]

... well I got an apology from CAMC HO who agreed that 2 hrs with no facilities available was unacceptable. Apparently they leave it up to the local staff to decide and that's why a uniform closure time (albeit a great idea) may not be easily implemented. In any event, if you do find yourself in a similar position do speak up, there should always be a service toilet available.

Didn't solve the problem but at least reassured me I wasn't being unreasonable.

Back to 'reasonable' at Morvich (what a wonderful place the highlands is )

 

[AJQ]

Just back from a trip in France, apart from the fact that the sites were so much cheaper (between £15 and £20 per night) the facilities remained open while they were being cleaned - really organized fast working teams twice a day, happy for you to use the facilities while they were working.

 

[camper albert]

Well, this year I was first time in the UK for camping and it was first time I found closed toilets for cleaning without any options left open. And I do go camping across Europe for more than 50 years....
Outside the UK it seems standard to work sequentially. First ladies, then mens or just first half and then second half of a block. It amazed me so much I could not believe it and I checked twice!

 

[KevH]

Well, this year I was first time in the UK for camping and it was first time I found closed toilets for cleaning without any options left open. And I do go camping across Europe for more than 50 years....
Outside the UK it seems standard to work sequentially. First ladies, then mens or just first half and then second half of a block. It amazed me so much I could not believe it and I checked twice!

This aligns with my personal experience on the mainland. It’s yet another example of stuck-in-the-past thinking by the two main UK camping clubs.
Maybe it’s time for site wardens / managers to be mandated to work smarter?

 

[myvanrodney]

... Well it doesn't get any better.

Just turned up at Cambridge site after a 4 hr drive down from Scotch Corner only to be told ALL facilities are closed for 5 hrs between 10 and 3. Strictly no alternatives besides the local pub off site.

Shame on you CAMC.

 

[GrannyJen]

In 1990/1991, when Jo and I were walking Lejog and back again, I was just so full of praise for both clubs but especially CAMC. They were well ahead of the curve in terms of quality of facilities, site management and prices for members.

It has taken a lot of effort by the CAMC to knock the shine off but they have certainly achieved that. The sites are ordinary, the estate management standing still whilst a lot of independent sites have gone sailing past. The facilities blocks are good but now just good from being outstanding. The site management with some sites leave a lot to be desired and I have noticed a serious deterioration in so-called "customer service" by the warders since lockdown.

The arrogance of the so-called senior management is breathtaking. I'm sure Nick Lomas still believes his own publicity department when they say that the awful dogs dinner of a booking system has been a raving success. In one single action the trustpilot rating sank from 4.6 to 3.4 in weeks but they still brushed aside any complaints telling all and sundry what a brilliant move it was implementing it.

I use pitch-up a lot now, so easy, great filter choices and genuine reviews. After 35 years telling everyone what a brilliant facility the club was I am not going to give up on it so easily but suffice to say that in the 96 days I camped in 2024 only 5 days were on CAMC sites.

 

[myvanrodney]

In 1990/1991, when Jo and I were walking Lejog and back again, I was just so full of praise for both clubs but especially CAMC. They were well ahead of the curve in terms of quality of facilities, site management and prices for members.

It has taken a lot of effort by the CAMC to knock the shine off but they have certainly achieved that. The sites are ordinary, the estate management standing still whilst a lot of independent sites have gone sailing past. The facilities blocks are good but now just good from being outstanding. The site management with some sites leave a lot to be desired and I have noticed a serious deterioration in so-called "customer service" by the warders since lockdown.

The arrogance of the so-called senior management is breathtaking. I'm sure Nick Lomas still believes his own publicity department when they say that the awful dogs dinner of a booking system has been a raving success. In one single action the trustpilot rating sank from 4.6 to 3.4 in weeks but they still brushed aside any complaints telling all and sundry what a brilliant move it was implementing it.

I use pitch-up a lot now, so easy, great filter choices and genuine reviews. After 35 years telling everyone what a brilliant facility the club was I am not going to give up on it so easily but suffice to say that in the 96 days I camped in 2024 only 5 days were on CAMC sites.

aww thanks for this .. so genuine.

Yes, it's a top down problem i'm sure. This was planned maintenance so they knew full well in advance what the impact would be, and should have made alternative arrangements (portaloo?), closed the site for the day or at the very least warned people before they booked.

Hargill House (yesterdays stop) closed for 45 mins with a service toilet open - such lovely wardens, ... and last year in the west country we stayed at some lovely club sites.

... you are right, it could be so so much better and something for us all to be proud being members

as i say, shame on CAMC

 

[WelshGas]

Maybe the hint is in the Clubs name - Caravan & Motorhome Club. Most caravans and Motorhomes have their own toilets. They expect Campervans to have similar facilities, and most have it would seem by the number of posts about toilets of one sort or another.

 

[myvanrodney]

Maybe the hint is in the Clubs name - Caravan & Motorhome Club. Most caravans and Motorhomes have their own toilets. They expect Campervans to have similar facilities, and most have it would seem by the number of posts about toilets of one sort or another.

yeah, thought that too. ... still no excuse!

 

[stoobthealien]

I was going to say the same - except now they are really pushing roof tents as well in an attempt to get a younger audience in who can't afford caravans or motorhomes so they may need to rethink!

 

[Van Diesel VW]

... Well it doesn't get any better.

Just turned up at Cambridge site after a 4 hr drive down from Scotch Corner only to be told ALL facilities are closed for 5 hrs between 10 and 3. Strictly no alternatives besides the local pub off site.

Shame on you CAMC.

View attachment 140858

This looks like an exceptional closure to undertake a legionella risk assessment. However in my experience does not need 5 hours for a simple toilet block, hour maximum and you can work around users.