In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, a club of caravanners was established in 1907, with the intent to represent campers of all sorts. Currently its membership numbers over a million enthusiasts. From the trailer tent to the motor caravan owner, the Caravan Club offers services and activities and hundreds of club sites and certified locations (CL). A CL is a privately-owned 5 unit caravan site where a visitor pays a fee to the CL owner for an overnight stay, usually at a lesser cost than a commercial caravan site. Most CLs are in the countryside on a farm or spare land near a golf course, hotel, tavern, or private home. The Caravan Club has a standard of excellence which states a site accommodates up to a maximum of 5 caravan units, and visitors must be members of The Caravan Club. It further states members must observe the Country Code, stay no longer than 28 days a visit, and must occupy their site overnight. Certified Locations are for recreational use only, not residential, and the camping apparatus must be either a touring caravan, motor caravan, or trailer tent-no tents unless attached awnings or toilet tent. Certified Locations offer an ample entryway and safe accessibility to the campsites. They also provide a waste portal for chemical latrines, safe drinking water supply, rubbish disposal, and liability insurance coverage.
A simple registration form must be filled out on the Club website to establish membership in The Caravan Club. Membership provides right of entry to a group of excellent caravan sites at reasonable rates and caravanning support for the novice to experienced caravanners. The Caravan Club website offers Search and Book options to manage a trip in the UK and overseas. Other resources include technical advice, outdoor living courses, outfit matching, and free legal advice. Resources available include surveys about caravanning products and services, reviews of towcars, upcoming workshops for maintaining and repairing caravan equipment, and information for individuals looking for an avocation.
News and events presented on The Club Caravan website promotes past and future activities. Highlights include Certified Locations site competitions, member product discounts, and listings of day trips called “Great Days Out” lists CLs by region from the Cotswolds and West Midlands to Yorkshire.
Extensive travel is available via overseas caravan sites. Caravan Certified Locations are reached by the Eurotunnel or ferry for the more adventurous caravanners. Autumn and winter touring is available at 44 CLs open until the New Year. Bird watching, fishing, cycling, hiking, and the rustic ease around a campfire are activities awaiting you on your next caravan.
