Camping and Caravanning Club Review (2026): Is Membership Worth It?
Honest review of Camping and Caravanning Club membership in 2026. Compare costs, site access, discounts, and whether it's worth joining.
This article contains affiliate links to the Camping and Caravanning Club membership sign-up page. We may earn a commission if you purchase membership through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Camping and Caravanning Club Review (2026): Is Membership Worth It?
If you’re serious about camping, caravanning, or motorhoming in the UK, you’ve almost certainly heard of the Camping and Caravanning Club. With 125 years of history, nearly 100 owned-and-operated Club Sites, and a membership base that — according to the Club’s official 2026 membership information — exceeds 600,000 people, it’s one of the most established outdoor organisations in Britain. But does a paid membership actually save you money, or is it just another subscription you don’t need?
We’ve researched the current membership benefits, site pricing, discount schemes, and member feedback from sources including the Club’s Trustpilot profile and forums such as UKCampsite.co.uk to give you a clear, no-nonsense picture of what the Club offers in 2026. Whether you’re a weekend tent camper, a full-time caravanner, or just thinking about getting started, this review will help you decide.
At a Glance
| Product / Membership | Best For | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Camping and Caravanning Club Full Membership | Regular UK campers (tent, caravan, motorhome) | Members pay less on every Club Site stay; access to 100+ members-only sites; nine magazines per year |
| 60+ Saver Membership | Campers aged 60+ | Up to 35% off standard Club Site fees for over-60s (see terms below) |
| Club Site Nightly Pitch (Standard Member Rate) | Budget-conscious campers | Grass pitches from approximately £15–£25 per night (member rate; see Club booking pages for current pricing) |
| Eurocamp Discount (Member Benefit) | UK families heading abroad | Discount on Eurocamp holidays (see Club benefits page for current percentage and conditions) |
| Club Membership + SiteSeeker | Campers who want flexible site searching | Free access to SiteSeeker tool to find and book Club Sites and associated private sites |
What Is the Camping and Caravanning Club?
The Camping and Caravanning Club is a not-for-profit membership organisation founded in 1901 that owns and manages nearly 100 Club Sites across the UK. It also provides access to hundreds of privately-run, members-only sites, self-catering properties, and a range of discounts on ferries, attractions, and camping equipment.
Unlike a commercial campsite booking platform, the Club is structured as a not-for-profit. According to its published annual accounts, surpluses are reinvested into site development and member services rather than distributed to shareholders — a key part of its appeal, and a reason why many seasoned campers remain loyal members year after year.
Membership Options and Costs
Full Membership
As of 2026, standard full membership costs less than £4 per month when billed annually. The Club regularly publishes limited-time membership discount codes on its official promotions page — check the current offers section of the Club’s website before purchasing to see whether a current deal applies.
What you get:
- Members always pay less on every Club Site stay
- Exclusive access to hundreds of members-only sites
- Up to 35% off for over-60s with the 60+ Saver discount (see conditions below)
- Nine magazines each year — the Club states a newsstand cover price value of approximately £50 annually; this figure comes from the Club’s own membership marketing materials
- Discounts on ferry crossings, Eurocamp holidays, and camping equipment (see individual benefit terms on the Club’s benefits page)
- Access to the SiteSeeker booking tool
125th Anniversary Promotion: At the time of writing, the Club was running a 125th Anniversary promotion offering grass pitches from £12.50 per night. This is a time-limited promotional rate. Check the Club’s current promotions page for live pricing before booking — standard member rates will apply once the promotion ends.
60+ Saver Membership
If you’re aged 60 or over, the 60+ Saver discount is one of the most prominent membership perks in UK camping. According to the Club’s published 60+ Saver terms page, it offers up to 35% off standard Club Site fees. The “up to” qualifier is important: the maximum discount applies to specific sites, pitch types, and seasons — not universally across all bookings. Check the Club’s published 60+ Saver terms for the full conditions, including which sites participate and whether the discount stacks with other offers.
Given that standard member pitch fees at popular Club Sites can reach £30–£45 per night in high season, even a partial discount can cover annual membership costs within a handful of nights.
Family and Joint Memberships
The Club offers joint memberships for couples living at the same address. According to the Club’s membership pricing page, the joint rate is broadly comparable to the individual rate, with both members receiving full individual benefits. Check the Club’s membership page directly for the current joint and family pricing, as rates are subject to annual review.
Club Sites: What You Actually Get
The core of the Club’s offering is its network of nearly 100 owned-and-operated Club Sites. These range from large, family-friendly parks with swimming pools and entertainment to small, quiet sites in remote locations.
Typical facilities on Club Sites include:
- Heated shower blocks (usually with free hot water)
- Laundry facilities
- Chemical disposal points
- Electric hook-ups (EHU) on most pitches
- WiFi (paid or free depending on the site)
- On-site wardens
What you won’t typically find: Club Sites are generally quieter than commercial holiday parks. You won’t usually find nightclubs, amusement arcades, or loud entertainment. That’s by design — the Club markets itself as a peaceful, nature-focused camping experience.
Pitch Pricing (sourced from the Club’s 2026 site finder and booking pages):
- Grass pitches: approximately £15–£25 per night at standard member rates, varying by site and season (the 125th Anniversary promotional rate of £12.50 applies while that offer is live — see promotions page)
- Standard hardstanding pitches with EHU: approximately £25–£45 per night depending on season and location, as listed on the Club’s pitch pricing pages
- Members consistently pay less than non-members — typically £5–£10 less per night
Member feedback on UKCampsite.co.uk forums and the Club’s Trustpilot profile frequently highlights the consistent quality of facilities as a standout strength. Across a broad range of reviews, cleanliness of facilities and the helpfulness of on-site wardens are among the most consistently praised aspects of Club Sites.
International Touring: Camping Carnet and Overseas Support
For caravanners and motorhomers heading to Europe, the Club offers a meaningful set of benefits that set it apart from standard campsite booking platforms.
Camping Carnet: The Club issues the internationally recognised Camping Carnet (also known as the CCI — Camping Card International), which is accepted at thousands of campsites across Europe and can substitute for your passport as a site deposit. Details and application information are available on the Club’s Carnet page.
Additional overseas support includes:
- European site guides and touring route resources
- Ferry crossing discounts with partner operators
- Green card insurance facilitation for members touring abroad
This suite of overseas benefits is particularly relevant for members planning extended European tours and represents a genuine differentiator from purely domestic camping organisations. If European touring is part of your plans, it’s worth reviewing the Club’s full international touring section before deciding whether membership represents value.
Camping and Caravanning Club vs. Caravan and Motorhome Club: Which Membership Is Better?
The most common alternative to the Camping and Caravanning Club is the Caravan and Motorhome Club (CMC), formerly known as The Caravan Club. Many serious caravanners and motorhomers hold membership of both, but if you’re choosing one, here’s how they compare based on each organisation’s published 2026 membership information:
| Feature | Camping and Caravanning Club | Caravan and Motorhome Club |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Membership Cost | Under £50/year (check current rate on Club website) | Check CMC website for current rate |
| Number of Owned Sites | Nearly 100 Club Sites | Over 100 sites (CMC publishes its current count on its site finder) |
| Members-Only Certificated Sites | Hundreds of small certificated sites (CL-equivalent network) | Extensive Certificated Locations (CL) network |
| Overseas Touring Support | Camping Carnet, ferry discounts, European site guides | Camping Carnet, ferry discounts, European site guides |
| Magazine | Nine issues per year | Published regularly (check CMC website for current frequency) |
| Tent Campers Welcome? | Yes — open to tent campers, caravanners, and motorhomers | Primarily focused on caravanners and motorhomers |
| Not-for-Profit Structure | Yes | Yes |
Key practical differences:
- The Camping and Caravanning Club explicitly welcomes tent campers alongside caravanners and motorhomers — the CMC is more narrowly focused on towable and motorised units.
- Both organisations offer broadly similar owned-site networks and overseas touring support.
- Site quality and location coverage differ by region — members on UKCampsite.co.uk forums frequently recommend trialling both before committing long-term.
For the most current membership pricing from both organisations, visit the Camping and Caravanning Club’s membership page and the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s membership page directly, as both review their rates annually.
Drawbacks and Documented Complaints
No honest review omits the negatives. Based on member feedback across the Club’s Trustpilot profile and discussion threads on UKCampsite.co.uk, the following issues come up with enough regularity to be worth noting:
Booking system reliability: A recurring complaint across Trustpilot reviews and UKCampsite.co.uk forum threads is difficulty with the online booking system — particularly during peak booking windows when popular sites open for reservations. Members report slow load times and occasional booking errors at high-demand periods.
Site quality inconsistency: While many Club Sites receive consistently strong reviews, member feedback makes clear that quality varies noticeably between locations. Older sites in particular attract more mixed reviews on facilities condition. Checking individual site reviews on the Club’s own site finder, or on UKCampsite.co.uk, before booking a specific location is advisable.
Value for low-frequency campers: The membership fee is straightforward to justify if you camp regularly — even two or three Club Site stays per year typically recovers the annual cost through the member discount. However, members on UKCampsite.co.uk forums note that for those who camp only once a year or less, or who primarily use non-Club sites, the value proposition is weaker. The Club does allow non-members to book pitches, so occasional campers may find pay-as-you-go more cost-effective.
Limited entertainment facilities: As noted above, Club Sites are intentionally quiet. This is a positive for many members but a genuine drawback for families with young children who want organised entertainment and activities on-site.
SiteSeeker: The Booking Tool
The Club’s SiteSeeker tool is the primary way to find and book Club Sites and associated members-only sites. It allows filtering by location, pitch type, facilities, and availability. Access is included with membership. Non-members can also use SiteSeeker to view sites and check availability, but member-only sites and member pricing require a logged-in membership account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Camping and Caravanning Club worth it?
For anyone who camps at Club Sites two or more times per year, membership typically pays for itself through the member pitch discount alone — members generally save £5–£10 per night compared to non-member rates, according to the Club’s published pricing. Additional benefits (magazine, ferry discounts, Eurocamp deals, Camping Carnet) add further value for regular campers. For those who camp once a year or less, the value case is less clear-cut.
What is the difference between the Camping and Caravanning Club and the Caravan and Motorhome Club?
The most significant practical difference is that the Camping and Caravanning Club is open to tent campers as well as caravanners and motorhomers, while the Caravan and Motorhome Club focuses primarily on towable and motorised units. Both operate similar networks of owned sites and offer overseas touring support including the Camping Carnet. See the comparison table above for a full breakdown.
Can non-members use Camping and Caravanning Club sites?
Yes — non-members can book and stay at most Club Sites, but they pay a higher nightly rate than members. Certain members-only certificated sites are restricted to members. The Club publishes non-member pricing on its booking pages.
How much does Camping and Caravanning Club membership cost per year?
As of 2026, standard full membership is priced at under £50 per year when billed annually (under £4 per month). The Club regularly runs promotional offers — check the current offers section of the Club’s website for any live discounts before purchasing. Joint membership for couples is available at a comparable rate; see the Club’s membership page for current figures.
