Everyone tours differently and has different preferences. Personally, we favour Certificated Locations or Certificated Sites, otherwise known as CL’s and CS’s.
Updated Nov 2024
What is a CL or CS?
CLs/CSs are sites offered by the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club respectively and both offer a similar experience. They are small, privately owned campsites exclusively for use by club members. They accommodate up to 5 units (or 10 tents for the Camping and Caravanning club) and their settings vary greatly.
- Finding CL/CS sites
- The best parking spots
- Flexbility
- The best local knowledge
- The price is right
- Seasonal changes to consider
- Do you have the power?
- How to book a CL/CS
Finding CL/CS sites
These sites are listed on the club websites and in their apps, just the same as looking up their club sites. Most of the time we find them by using the apps. We open the map and see what’s around us or in the area we’re heading to. Some of these will also be listed on other sites like Park4Night and Search for Sites as well but remember, you still need to be a member of the respective club to use the site.
The best parking spots
One night you could be staying on a farm or in an orchard, and the next you could be parked up by a local Landmark. This is something we enjoy about these sites (and why we chose to tour the UK, there are so many amazing sights to see on our doorstep).
We have seen some beautiful places such as Weobley Castle, pictured below, and best of all the CL was right next door so no worries about finding parking. Plus, where these locations only accommodate a few vans, it does usually make for a quieter stay! Not that we mind hustle and bustle but it can certainly be more relaxing with fewer people.
Flexbility
Another thing we like about Certificated Location Campsites is that they offer more flexibility than some bigger sites. There are still guidelines for arrival/departure times but if you talk to the owners, we have found they are more than happy to allow extra check out time if you need it or accommodate later arrival times.
We find it especially helpful if we decide to stay on somewhere or if we want to squeeze in some sightseeing before we leave, we can ask there and then if we can stay and more often than not, its absolutely fine. Of course always check as each site is different. In busier times, they likely won’t have the leeway for you to check out late or stay on. Also, always be respectful in this situation, its usually someones residence you are staying on so be mindful of that too.
The best local knowledge
What we also love is the wealth of knowledge the owners can offer. As mentioned above, they are usually people’s residence or business and so they will have roots in the area. As they have history here, you won’t find any better visitor information than from the locals.
On numerous occasions we have been told about hidden gems, local transport and good places to eat and its made the visit that much sweeter. Being fans of history, we also love to hear stories about a place we’re staying in and that usually leads on to recommendations of neighbouring places to stay.
The price is right
The biggest advantage of Certificated Locations/Sites is the price. Because we don’t rely on bathroom facilities, we are able to take advantage of sites that offer little more than a nice place to pitch up, waste facilities and fresh water. During our first year of travel in the summer, we were paying between £5 & £10 a night. Of course it can depend on the area as some were averaging £12 a night.
We have found that in the last few years, there has been a natural increase in the cost per night, most basic sites are around £15 and up now. With the increase in demand for EHU, we are finding that some CL/CSs can be as much as £25 a night but you can still find some cracking back to basics sites for £10 a night.
Seasonal changes to consider
There are considerations with these sites as the seasons change.
For example, as winter approaches we find it can be more difficult to find places to stay largely due to requiring hardstanding, sites being closed for the winter or grass only sites being waterlogged. This is where we tend to switch over to pub stops and car parks that allow you to stay. That being said, there are still plenty of cracking sites to stay at all year round.
Also, consider your power needs, especially as the amount of daylight hours reduces.
Do you have the power?
We mentioned earlier that more and more sites are adding in EHU due to the change in demand and technology these days. But there are still plenty of sites that don’t offer EHU and not all sites will have added hook up. Plus with the rise in EHU not being included in your pitch fee (which we’re fans of!), you have to consider your cost if you’re on a budget.
In our first year of travel, the Dethleffs Pulse we had on loan for a year from Erwin Hymer Group only had one leisure battery and no solar panel so we needed electric hook up as the season changed.
At that time, we had a small petrol generator and an external suitcase solar panel. They were fantastic through the summer, they kept us topped up and were so easy to use. Going in to winter, however, they were not convenient and couldn’t provide us with the power we needed.
The solar because there were less daylight hours and you didn’t want the window open for the wire to go out to the panel if it was raining or cold. And with the generator, if the ground was wet or it was raining, you needed it to be under cover which usually meant under the van. PLUS IT WAS JUST PLAIN NOISY.
Of course, the technology now readily available means generators are a thing of the past. If we had known about power banks back then, we undoubtedly would have had one of them and I’m sure our power needs would have been met all year round. But we did the best with what we knew at the time and it all adds to the touring knowledge and experience we’ve gained.
It was this type of touring and these experiences that meant we knew exactly how we needed to set our own motorhome up so it is was valuable experience. We don’t rely on external gadgets to power us as we have made sure our onboard power system is sufficient. We do have an Eco Flow power bank for back up if we need it during the winter. It also does in handy for outside cooking in the summer (think airfyrer!) and for charging things stored in the garage.
The same applies to my micro camper. We’ve made sure the onboard power system means I can be self sufficient, meaning I’m not tethered to places with EHU and can stay in a much wider variety of places.
It fits our ethos: to put back in to the economy
How to book a CL/CS
On a final note, booking these sites is usually by phone so if you can’t get through to anyone, you can’t get an instant answer. We have come across a handful of sites who have their own websites and booking systems which is more convenient, but again, not instant.
Overall, we really enjoy CLs/CSs and they’re still our preferred choice. We find these smaller sites not only fit in with the way that we travel but with our ethos; to put back in to the local economy.
If you want to enjoy the comfort of a nice place to pitch up but without the regimented feel of larger sites then definitely try a Certificated Location/Site. We’ve found it to be the most authentic way to visit villages, towns and cities because you are getting some of the best local knowledge and experiences.
Remember, to take advantage of these sites, you do need to be a member of the relevant Motorhome Club. There are other benefits to this membership such as discounted insurance and deals with affiliated retailers. This means the membership could be worth the investment for multiple benefits besides Certificated Locations.