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When my family first got into camping, one of the biggest questions I had was where to actually book. My dad swore by his membership to The Camping and Caravanning Club, but my mates were all finding last minute deals on websites I had never heard of. It was confusing.
Over the years I have tried them all. I have been a club member, I have booked through all the major sites, and I have found some real gems. Here is my honest breakdown of the big players to help you decide where to spend your hard earned money.
The 3 Big Questions
- 1 Should I pay a yearly membership fee for a club?
- 2 Which websites have the most choice and the best prices?
- 3 Where can I find the best value for my family?
The Camping and Caravanning Club
This is a proper members club with a history stretching back over a century. You pay an annual fee and get access to their network of club sites and smaller certified sites. I was a member for years and the quality control is their biggest selling point.
- Typical Cost: Around £50 per year for a family membership.
- Best For: Guaranteed clean facilities and a reliable, family friendly standard.
For a family with young kids, knowing you will have spotless toilets and consistently hot showers is a huge plus. The sites are almost always immaculate. You will also often find "hardstanding" pitches which are great for campervans, but if you are in a tent, make sure you pack Heavy Duty Rock Pegs as the ground can be tough.
Tip: Club sites almost always offer electric hook up (EHU). Before you go, read my Electric Hook Up Guide to ensure you have the right cables and know your wattage limits.
Pitchup.com
Pitchup is less of a club and more of a giant search engine for campsites. It is my go to starting point whenever I am planning a trip. It is free to use and has a massive number of sites, from huge holiday parks to a single pitch in a farmer's field. I once found a brilliant last minute spot in Cornwall using their app while literally sitting in a service station on the M5.
- Typical Cost: Free to search, with some bookings having a small deposit.
- Best For: Maximum choice, comparing prices, and finding last minute deals.
The choice is immense, and you can filter by everything imaginable. The only catch is that the quality varies wildly because they list everyone. You have to read the reviews very carefully.
Hipcamp
Hipcamp is a newer player in the UK and offers something a bit different. Its focus is on unique, often private, places to camp. We stayed on a lovely apple farm in Hereford last year through Hipcamp, and it was just us and the owls. It was magical.
- Typical Cost: Free to search, prices set by the private landowners.
- Best For: Unique, rustic, and quiet stays away from the crowds.
You can find some truly special spots that you would never find otherwise. The drawback is that facilities can be very basic. Sometimes it is literally just a field and a tap.
Wild Camping Essentials
If you book a basic Hipcamp site with no facilities, you need to be self-sufficient. I recommend taking:
- A reliable Portable Camping Toilet.
- A Solar Shower for a warm wash.
- Plenty of water carriers.
Campsites.co.uk
This is another excellent booking platform, very similar to Pitchup. It has a huge inventory of sites and I find its layout very clean and easy to use. It often seems to have a slightly better selection of smaller, independent and family run sites.
- Typical Cost: Free to search.
- Best For: A great alternative to Pitchup, especially for finding independent sites.
It is always worth checking both this and Pitchup when you are looking for a specific area. I have often found that prices for the exact same site can differ slightly between them, so a quick search on both can save you a few quid.
The Caravan and Motorhome Club
Do not let the name fool you, they are very welcoming to tent campers too. This is the other major UK club, and it operates in a very similar way to The Camping and Caravanning Club. It prides itself on high quality, well managed sites.
- Typical Cost: Around £60 per year for a family membership.
- Best For: High quality sites with excellent facilities, particularly for those with campervans.
In my experience, their sites are fantastic, but they can sometimes feel more geared towards vehicles than tents. However, if you value peace, quiet, and pristine amenities, they are an excellent and reliable option.
My Verdict: What Should You Do?
1. Start with the booking sites. For your first few trips, use Pitchup and Campsites.co.uk. Do not commit to a membership fee until you are sure camping is for you. These sites give you the maximum choice and allow you to find something that fits your budget perfectly.
2. Consider joining a club later. If you find you are camping four or five times a year and you value spotless facilities and a family friendly atmosphere above all else, then it is absolutely worth paying for a membership to The Camping and Caravanning Club. The fee quickly pays for itself in pitch discounts and peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Camping and Caravanning Club worth it for tent campers?
Yes, if you camp regularly (3+ times a year). The pitch discounts will cover the membership fee, and you get access to consistently high quality facilities. However, if you only camp once a year, you are better off using a free booking site.
Does Pitchup charge a booking fee?
Pitchup is free to search, but they usually take a small deposit (around 15%) at the time of booking, which is part of your total pitch fee. You pay the rest at the campsite.
