Caravan and Motorhome Club

[SteveH]

I know that this has been a subject of discussion previously. One post even included a letter from the caravan club confirming that Beach owners were welcome. That all said, I tried to apply for membership and immediately noticed that there wasn't a choice for campervan listed. Undeterred I selected motorhome and was happy to see VW California listed so I entered my model and year and then came the crunch. The next question asked if my van included a number of prerequisites one of which was fixed cooking equipment. I could not in honesty answer yes to this so that was the end of my application. So much for Beach owners being welcomed into the caravan club!

 

[Digger]

When I last booked a site by phone I was asked if my California had fixed cooker etc. When at the site the warden was very helpful and explained the designation for campervan had to include fixed essentials as per DVLA requirements. It would seem many including DVLA don't know that the California comes as two distinct versions.

 

[SteveH]

Does that mean that a Beach is not allowed? The previous thread with letter says it is but the fact that we are being told we need a fixed cooker says it isn't !!!

 

[WelshGas]

Does that mean that a Beach is not allowed? The previous thread with letter says it is but the fact that we are being told we need a fixed cooker says it isn't !!!

I don't know, but remember you don't have to be a Member to stay at a Club site. Is this where the confusion may be arising. Some Club sites also allow tent camping e.g.: Crystal Palace and some affiliated sites.

 

[Rich20]

We are allowed. A lot of effort went in to getting that letter by another member. The website doesn't recognise the Beach so I just book a motorhome and have never been refused. I keep getting asked to update my profile when booking but I just ignore it. Maybe one day there will be a drop down box for the Beach.

 

[Digger]

I don't know the answer either. There is no doubt their definition as shown on the web requires rigid fixed fittings. If you are prepared to state motorhome and see how it goes. I would hope wardens would use common sense.

 

[GrannyJen]

Register it as a motorhome and print off the letter that @Bigted obtained off the CaMC.

Relevant thread is here: https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/the-beach-and-caravan-club.15468/

 

[Mr & Mrs B]

We've recently stayed at a couple of CMC sites and one of them had a Beach pitched near us.

 

[flying banana]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I've not had any trouble with my beach. I think their point is to stop some one in a transit with a mattress in the back saying it's a camper...common sense I like to think is still used. a vehicle costing around 40 large does not look like some one taking the wee wee

 

[shudycamps]

I just tell them what they want to hear; however, my Cali has a built in kitchen. I don't declare more than two dogs and my 6 are better behaved and quieter than 2, 3, 4, 5 children. Never have a problem as I have a very firm rule to not disturb my fellow camper.

 

[Tom Downie]

I know that this has been a subject of discussion previously. One post even included a letter from the caravan club confirming that Beach owners were welcome. That all said, I tried to apply for membership and immediately noticed that there wasn't a choice for campervan listed. Undeterred I selected motorhome and was happy to see VW California listed so I entered my model and year and then came the crunch. The next question asked if my van included a number of prerequisites one of which was fixed cooking equipment. I could not in honesty answer yes to this so that was the end of my application. So much for Beach owners being welcomed into the caravan club!

We got quite confused about the "Caravan" Club". We joined the Caravan and Motorhome Club mainly as we were experiencing problems getting insurance with mainstream insurers. Now regret it. What I did not appreciate is that there are two Caravan Clubs. As well as the Caravan and Motorhome club there is the Caravan and Camping Club. The later is the one I wished I had joined now, talking to several people there are not so stuck up so your problem is less likely to have occurred. Will be switching at the end of the year. Incidentally I understand that the two are a result of the original Caravan Club splitting and it is the Caravan and Camping club which has retained the distinctive logo of the red pennant.

 

[ArunAlec]

We got quite confused about the "Caravan" Club". We joined the Caravan and Motorhome Club mainly as we were experiencing problems getting insurance with mainstream insurers. Now regret it. What I did not appreciate is that there are two Caravan Clubs. As well as the Caravan and Motorhome club there is the Caravan and Camping Club. The later is the one I wished I had joined now, talking to several people there are not so stuck up so your problem is less likely to have occurred. Will be switching at the end of the year. Incidentally I understand that the two are a result of the original Caravan Club splitting and it is the Caravan and Camping club which has retained the distinctive logo of the red pennant.

When you say there are two clubs you are correct but the"other one" is the Camping and Caravan Club.

 

[Meoncoast]

two are a result of the original Caravan Club splitting

they have always been different clubs if you look at the histories shown on line

"The Club was founded in 1907 as The Caravan Club of Great Britain and Ireland. ... The Club was renamed as The Caravan Club in 1959 celebrated its centenary on 14 June 2007, the Caravan and Motorhome Club name was adopted in February 2017.


The Camping and Caravaning Club started in 1901 as the Association of Cycle Campers. Thomas Hiram Holding, one of the founders, is considered by many to be the father of modern camping. He also founded the Bicycle Touring Club in 1878, which became Cyclists' Touring Club, now renamed Cycling UK."

 

[Paul S]

they have always been different clubs if you look at the histories shown on line

"The Club was founded in 1907 as The Caravan Club of Great Britain and Ireland. ... The Club was renamed as The Caravan Club in 1959 celebrated its centenary on 14 June 2007, the Caravan and Motorhome Club name was adopted in February 2017.


The Camping and Caravaning Club started in 1901 as the Association of Cycle Campers. Thomas Hiram Holding, one of the founders, is considered by many to be the father of modern camping. He also founded the Bicycle Touring Club in 1878, which became Cyclists' Touring Club, now renamed Cycling UK."

Ah, you beat me to it

 

[GrannyJen]

We got quite confused about the "Caravan" Club". We joined the Caravan and Motorhome Club mainly as we were experiencing problems getting insurance with mainstream insurers. Now regret it. What I did not appreciate is that there are two Caravan Clubs. As well as the Caravan and Motorhome club there is the Caravan and Camping Club. The later is the one I wished I had joined now, talking to several people there are not so stuck up so your problem is less likely to have occurred. Will be switching at the end of the year. Incidentally I understand that the two are a result of the original Caravan Club splitting and it is the Caravan and Camping club which has retained the distinctive logo of the red pennant.

Goodness, so many people get hung up on the two biggest providers of membership-linked campsites .

So many tell you that the CC has more rules yet it is the Camping and Caravan club that allocate your pitch and escort you to it as opposed to the CC practice of find somewhere then come back and tell us where.

Both offer a proven product within a given framework ( OMG --- Rules ) which as many object to as there are as many revere. I love those rules. It means I can avoid if I object or embrace if it is what I want and sometimes it is, as both normally result in peace and quiet!

They have always been separate entities, each with their own history, each with their own quaint idiosyncrasies. My advice is don't knock it if you haven't tried it. I belong to both. It costs me less than £100 per year to belong to both. I get huge discounts on M6 toll roads, access to a combined 4,000 member-limited 5 unit max sites, access to 400 superb full facility sites, great offers on ferries, insurance and other offers plus a magazine a month that is excellent at providing an impromptu low rise levelling block.

I have invested close on £60k in a vehicle to give me the ultimate flexibility in getting away so less than £100 to enable that vehicle to have access to thousands of locations is peanuts.

 

[Paul S]

...plus a magazine a month that is excellent at providing an impromptu low rise levelling block.

I have invested close on £60k in a vehicle to give me the ultimate flexibility in getting away so less than £100 to enable that vehicle to have access to thousands of locations is peanuts.

+1 on that sentiment entirely and bravo for finding a use for the C&MC mag, mine only gets opened to shred the flyer (always promoting something useless) that has my name on. Then in goes in the bin. Been a member for 13 years and never found anything of interest in that publication. I wish they'd stop it and give a small reduction on membership fees but the Rally people probably love it.

 

[Gary&Heather]

We were in the caravan club as it was called then to pompous for me only had membership for a year and only used it for 2 weeks then we joined the camping and Caravan club been in the club for years now but it's up to the individuals choice I just like having fun.

 

[Tom Downie]

We were in the caravan club as it was called then to pompous for me only had membership for a year and only used it for 2 weeks then we joined the camping and Caravan club been in the club for years now but it's up to the individuals choice I just like having fun.

Glad you agree. After all the C&MC is by definition the resting place for owners of Great Whites and most of us have experience of their attitude to Californias.

 

[Lewis]

Just got back from a week at River Breamish CMC site in Northumberland after a stopover night at Richmond Hargill House.

Had a fantastic experience at both sites with really friendly and accommodating staff who at River Breamish reserved a pitch for us after I called to say we had a reasonably large awning and may have peg issues. They were happy to help and actually reserved us one of the best pitches on the site backing on to a nature reserve near the river.

All of the people we came across on site were friendly and very warm towards our two year old who was running around all the time singing and collecting sticks. Whilst CMC sites definitely tend to be more private, we didn't make friends, everyone regardless of outfit (old caravan to £200k Morello) was pleasant to one another.

We've stayed at lots of these sites this year and it's our typical experience. Add that into spotless facilities which aren't heavily used due to people having toilets/showers in caravans and it's a win win in my opinion.

 

[Mr & Mrs B]

There are all sorts of different types of camping - some people like wild camping and others prefer to have a Club site with all facilities a short walk away. Some hate rules and regulations and others like to know they are there so there is an expectation of what a site will be like. We are all different and have different expectations of what we want to enjoy our leisure time. We're members of both Clubs and also use private sites but prefer C&MC sites as we can choose our pitch and don't have to pay a deposit when we make our booking.

 

[Docmark]

I have just phoned the Caravan and Motorhome Club to change my vehicle details from our previous Brazilian Bay to our new Beach - and absolutely no problem - also told that if we were to have any problems with the wardens to let them know immediately so it can be sorted out.

 

[jamessclarke]

When I joined C&MC I found I could not answer the online questions so I just rang up and had no problem. The lady I spoke to could not have been more helpful.

I have never had a problem getting on to a club site with my beach. The sites are always tidy with good facilities. They do have rules but again never had a problem- we are a family of six with ages 8 to 55.

 

[Keith Smith]

I can't see why these clubs are so paranoid about someone turning up in a smart panel van let alone a beach. We have stayed in our Vivaro, not on a club site though, and been welcomed. The van had a platform in the back which we slept on and camping gear, or tools in the week, went underneath. We had a tent but if the weather was bad we didn't pitch the tent and slept in the van. Didn't bother anyone around us, in fact quite the opposite. The van was signwritten, we were cabinetmakers, and people would come and talk to us about various woodwork issues, someone even asked us to fit them a new kitchen.