Camping and Caravanning Club

The Camping and Caravanning Club is a United Kingdom not-for-profit organisation involved with all aspects of camping based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1901, the club now represents over half a million members.

The Camping and Caravanning Club
TypeCamping club / caravanning club
IndustryTravel operator
Founded1901
HeadquartersWestwood Way, CV4 8JH,
Coventry
Area served
Global
Key people
President: Julia Bradbury
Websitewww.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

History

The Camping and Caravanning Club started in 1901 as the Association of Cycle Campers.[1] 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 the Cyclists' Touring Club, now renamed Cycling UK.[2] Holding wrote The Campers Handbook in 1908, to share his enthusiasm for the great outdoors. His love of camping derived from his childhood experiences, dating back to the mid-1800s.[3]

In 1906, the Association of Cycle Campers (now The Camping and Caravanning Club) opened its first camping site, in Weybridge. By that time, the organisation had several hundred members. In 1909, the association split into three separate organisations, which joined again in 1910 as the National Camping Club. Two more name changes followed, in 1919 (The Camping Club of Great Britain and Ireland) and in 1983.

In 1967 its membership rose to 100,000 and more than 300,000 by the end of the 20th century. The club now represents over half a million campers in the UK.

Membership from a modern club

The club offers a paid membership service to tent, campervan, caravan, and motorhome owners – in fact, the club accepts units of any shape and size, including motorbike campers.

Benefits of being a club member include discounts on its UK and European campsites, money off attractions worldwide, and offers on some outdoor retailers.[4]

Structure

The Camping and Caravanning Club is a membership organisation. The club's board of directors, The National Council, are appointed to serve the interests of all club members and manage the club and its policy. The National Council consists of 18 nationally elected councilors, 13 regional councilors, and an honorary treasurer.

Regional elections are held to elect club members to region councils; these councils oversee the operation of the district associations within their region.

Site classifications

There are currently more than 1600 campsites owned, managed or certified by the club.

Club sites

The club has 99 club sites throughout the UK. These are owned, maintained and run by the club.

Camping-in-the-forest sites (CITF)

The club works alongside the Forestry Commission to run 15 sites in Britain's forests and woodland. The New Forest is home to the majority of these campsites. CITF also has sites in the Forest of Dean, Savernake Forest, Loch Lomond, and Aviemore.

Certificated sites

The club is recognized as an "exempted organisation" within the terms of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960. This means that the UK government allows the club to issue a certificate to land owners, giving them permission to operate a small campsite on their land without specific planning permission. The club has over 1,550 certificated sites open to members.

Independent listed sites

These sites are not owned or run by the club. They are commercial sites which are promoted by the club under the condition that they meet the standards expected by the club members.

Club-approved campsites in Europe

Opening up a world of choice for campers, the club's travel service promotes over 150 sites in 12 European countries.

Other products and services

The club also offers insurance, Arrival (a comprehensive breakdown cover undertaken by the RAC) and travel booking in other countries.

Notable presidents

Annual events

The club holds events throughout the year, catering to both members and non-members.

National Feast of Lanterns (NFOL) – the club's annual national camping rally – is held in different locations each year.

See also

References
  1. "Over 100 years of The Camping and Caravanning Club".
  2. "We are Cycling UK".
  3. "History of Camping". Archived from the original on 2010-03-30. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
  4. "Membership: Join The Camping and Caravanning Club".
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