There are many and varied clubs and associations that you can join and most, at this time, offer benefits and discounts.
Normally there is an annual subscription associated with them and it is down to your own personal preference as to whether you feel joining is worthwhile.
These are the benefits we have found by becoming members. ( Information is correct as of 2018).
The Caravan and Motorhome Club (recently changed name from simply The Caravan Club – causing a bit of a to do amongst some members apparently)
The Camping and Caravanning Club (or as they like to be known The Friendly Club)
- Both the above offer a variety of club sites where you can expect a certain standard of pitch and facilities provided.
- They also recommend CL (certified location) or CS (certified site) smaller sites limited to 5 pitches, many found on farms and we have found many offering more than 5 pitches. The facilities can be variable and each club should provide details of what is available at each site.
- Both clubs also have LS (listed sites - these are privately owned) and tend to be larger sites with club houses, sometimes pools etc.
- Both produce a monthly magazine, which can provide interesting articles and reviews on vans, caravans, motorhomes and sites in Britain and abroad.
- Both offer package holidays and escorted tours abroad, all in your own van or hired vans. These holidays can be as far away as Australia and New Zealand, Canada and of course Europe.
- There are a variety of discounts offered for members of either club, in shops, cinemas, restaurants and visitor attractions,
- The Camping and Caravanning Club also offers over 60’s members, a discount on site stays, on production of proof of age.
- Apart from the obvious advantages of knowing exactly what to expect on their Club Sites, they also offer lots of support and advice on caravanning and motorhoming, reduced rate insurance and breakdown cover and cheaper ferry crossings when travelling through them abroad.
- Both clubs recommend sites in Europe, visited and inspected by them.
Brit Stops
This group offer a membership with a one off annual payment.This entitles you to their Brit Stops Book, which lists all the places you can park up overnight for free. Some are in pub car parks, on farms, by shops, craft centres etc. Many have no facilities so you have to be self sufficient, some may expect you to buy a meal say in the pub, but many are completely free. All you have to do is produce your book to prove membership or some require you to ring before hand to check availability.
The book holds all the relevant information for each stop. We haven’t used one as yet (on next years to try list) but hear good things.
ACSI
All you need to know about European campsites plus they produce something called a ACSI Camping Card which among other things gives you access to cheaper off peak camping when in Europe, on over 3000 sites.
Other memberships worth considering:-
In our travels we have noticed how much money you can spend on car parking, sometimes even more when you are in a motorhome or campervan.
National Trust membership (We love looking around their wonderful properties, exploring their coastal paths, parks etc) and their membership entitles you to free parking in all their car parks. As they now own a fair slice of the English coast this membership can pay for itself simply with the parking charges and you get to enjoy some of the most spectacular coastal and countryside scenery in England, Cape Cornwall and Studland Bay in Dorset spring to mind.
You also get discounts with your membership card in some shops.
English Heritage- Again they own some fantastic properties in England, we loved Tintagel. By joining them for an annual fee you are also getting free or reduced entry to the many and varied activities they put on - great for the grandchildren. Stokesay Castle Shropshire, great car park for picnics before a visit to the castle.
Not forgetting both English Heritage and National Trust have some fantastic cafes in amazing locations with simply wonderful food – thinking particularly of the cakes here. You may guess we have tried out quite a few.
Just a little aside
The best ever free car park, if shopping, so far has been Lidl’s in Thurso!. Whilst touring the north coast of Scotland, we were asked a couple of times by fellow campers, if we had visited Lidl’s car park? So we thought we had better go and see what all the fuss was about. The view over to Orkney was simply spectacular, it takes your breath away. Their croissant weren’t bad either.
REMEMBER ALWAYS CHECK THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ANY ASSOCIATION/CLUB AT THE POINT OF JOINING, DEALS AND OFFERS CAN AND DO CHANGE.
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