Caravan and Motorhome Club facts for kids
| Formation | 14 June 1907 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | East Grinstead House |
| Location |
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Region served
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British Isles |
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Official language
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English |
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President
|
Viscount Coke |
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Main organ
|
The Club Council |
| Affiliations | FIA |
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Staff
|
900 |
| Website | www.caravanclub.co.uk |
The Caravan and Motorhome Club is a special group for people who love to travel and stay in caravans or motorhomes. It helps people who enjoy holidays in these vehicles in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The club started a long time ago, in 1907. Today, it has almost one million members!
Contents
Club History: How It Started
The club began in 1907. Back then, it was called The Caravan Club of Great Britain and Ireland. Its main goal was to bring together people who loved "van life." They wanted to help members find good vans and places to camp. They also shared useful books and lists of campsites.
In 1959, the club changed its name to The Caravan Club. It celebrated its 100th birthday on June 14, 2007. In February 2017, the club got its current name: the Caravan and Motorhome Club.
How the Club Works
The Caravan and Motorhome Club is a group for members. It is run by an Executive Committee. This committee talks about important ideas with the Club Council. The Club Council gets help from 10 Regional Councils.
These Regional Councils help share information with all club members. They are also places where members can talk about club issues. They help solve problems in different areas. Club members can also vote at the Annual Members Meeting.
The club is part of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). This is a big group that helps drivers and car clubs around the world. The Caravan and Motorhome Club has over 900 staff members. It represents nearly one million people who love touring in their caravans or motorhomes.
Club Sites: Places to Stay
The club runs many places where members can stay. There are about 200 main Caravan Club sites. They also have over 2,200 smaller sites. These smaller sites are called CLs. CL stands for "certificated locations."
Certificated Locations (CLs): Small and Special Sites
A certificated location, or 'CL', is a small, private campsite. It can host up to 5 caravans in the United Kingdom. People with caravans pay a small fee to the CL owner to stay overnight. These sites are usually cheaper than bigger campsites.
There are more than 2,200 CLs across the UK. Only members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club can use them. Each year, the club checks these sites. If they meet the club's standards, they get a certificate. That's why they are called 'certificated locations'. Club members even vote for their favorite CL each year!
Most CLs are in the countryside. They are owned by individuals. You might find them on a farm, next to a pub, or on land near someone's house. CLs are meant for holidays and fun. Only touring caravans, motorhomes, or trailer tents are allowed. Tents are usually not permitted, except for small ones like toilet tents.
To become a CL, owners need to provide a few things. They must have a place to empty chemical toilets. They also need a safe supply of drinking water. A bin for dry rubbish is also required. Some owners offer extra things like electricity, showers, or toilets.
The National Rally: A Big Get-Together
Every year, the club holds a huge event called "The National Rally." It happens at the end of May, during the Spring Bank holiday. This big gathering usually takes place at a grand country estate. Up to 10,000 caravanners might attend at one time!
The very first National Rally was in 1936. It was held in Leamington Spa and had 100 caravans. In 2007, for the club's 100th birthday, the 80th National Rally was held. It took place at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.
Other Helpful Services
The club offers many services to help its members. They want to make holidays and travel better for everyone.
They provide different types of insurance. This includes insurance for caravans, motorhomes, cars, and even pets. They also help members book ferries and campsites for trips overseas. If members need advice about their vehicles, the club offers technical help too. The club also works to speak up for its members' interests.
Club Partnerships
The Caravan and Motorhome Club works with other groups. These partnerships help members in different ways:
- Haven Holidays gives club members special deals at 21 of their holiday parks.
- National Cycle Network (from Sustrans) has 12,000 miles of bike paths in the UK. Many club sites are close to these cycling routes.
- RSPB – The club helps protect the song thrush bird. They sponsor the RSPB's work to keep this bird safe.
- Highways Agency – The club works with the Highways Agency. This helps make roads better for caravanners.
Online System Problems
In January 2024, the club had problems with its online systems. Their website, app, and booking systems stopped working. The club told its members about the issues. They explained that they were working hard to fix everything.
See also
- Camping and Caravanning Club
- Caravan parks
