Do I really need a camping club membership for a road trip?

Not necessarily — but it can make your trip smoother, cheaper and more flexible. Membership can unlock smaller certified locations and member-only sites, plus discounted pitch fees and added support.

Which membership is best for me?

It depends on how you travel. The Camping and Caravanning Club suits a wide range of campers, while the Caravan and Motorhome Club is known for strong facilities and motorhome-friendly sites. ACSI is a discount scheme that can work well for off-peak travel and longer trips.

Will I actually save money?

Often, yes. Discounted night rates and member offers can add up quickly. If you camp for more than a few nights a year, membership usually pays for itself.

Are member-only sites really worth it?

They can be. Certified locations and club-only sites are often quieter and in scenic settings, and they’re useful when you want simple, reliable overnights.

Can I use these memberships with a tent, campervan or motorhome?

Yes. Both major UK clubs cater to tents, caravans, campervans and motorhomes, though some smaller locations may have vehicle size limits.

Do I need to book ahead?

In summer and popular areas, booking ahead is usually sensible. Outside peak times, you’ll often have more flexibility, especially at smaller locations.

Are club campsites more regulated?

Generally, yes. Club sites tend to be well maintained, with clearer standards and support if you run into issues.

Is ACSI a club in the same way?

Not quite. ACSI is primarily a discount card scheme rather than a membership club, and it’s best for off-peak travel where fixed low-season rates apply.

Can I join more than one club?

Many people do. Each club has different coverage and benefits, and having more than one can increase your choice of sites and discounts.

Camping, touring and holiday park stays

Camping Club Memberships, Holiday Parks & Campsite Directories for UK Road Trips

If you are planning a UK road trip by car, caravan, campervan or motorhome, the right membership, campsite directory or holiday park search can make overnight planning much easier.

This guide brings together the main UK camping clubs, useful low-season camping cards, holiday park groups, glamping options and campsite search platforms, so you can compare where they operate and how they might fit your route.

Campsite pitch with tent and countryside views for a UK road trip

Compare campsite memberships, holiday parks, touring pitches and glamping options for your route

Which campsite membership or booking option is best for a UK road trip? It depends on how you travel. Membership clubs are useful for regular touring and smaller member-only sites, holiday park groups work well for family facilities and longer stays, and campsite directories are useful when you want to search direct by location.

Compare Memberships Search Places to Stay Camping FAQs

Club membershipsFor regular touring

Smaller sitesCertificated options

Holiday parksFacilities and family stays

Direct searchCompare by location

Road trip planningMatch stays to your route

At a glance

Use this directory to choose the right overnight option

Campsite and holiday park planning can mean several different things. Some travellers want a quiet touring pitch, others want a family holiday park, a glamping stay, a hostel with camping facilities, or a low-season discount card for Europe.

1

For touring pitches

Look for club sites, certificated sites, touring parks, motorhome pitches and booking platforms that let you filter by pitch type.

Tent Caravan Motorhome

2

For smaller stays

Camping club certificated sites and locations can be useful if you prefer quieter sites with fewer pitches.

Quiet sites Rural Member-only

3

For family facilities

Holiday parks are often better if you want swimming pools, restaurants, entertainment, children’s activities and on-site facilities.

Holiday parks Facilities Family

4

For flexible stays

Glamping, hostels, lodges and static caravans can work well if you want road trip stops without bringing camping equipment.

Glamping Lodges Hostels

Where this page fits into your planning

This page helps you compare camping club memberships, pitch search tools, holiday park groups and glamping options before you commit to overnight stops.

Use it alongside your route plan so your campsites, touring pitches or holiday park stays support the journey rather than dictating it.

Memberships and campsite passes

Camping club memberships and campsite passes

These options are most relevant if you tour regularly, want access to smaller member-only sites, or want to reduce camping costs on longer trips.

The Camping and Caravanning Club

A long-established UK camping club with Club Sites, member benefits and Certificated Sites. Its SiteSeeker search covers more than 1,500 campsites in the UK, and Certificated Sites are smaller privately run sites for up to 5 caravans or motorhomes and 10 tents.

UK campsites Certificated Sites Member benefits

View membership Search campsites

The Caravan and Motorhome Club

Useful for caravan and motorhome touring, with over 145 UK Club campsites and a large network of small Certificated Locations. The Club references over 2,100 CLs across the UK, generally designed for up to five caravans or motorhomes.

Caravan Motorhome CL network

View membership Search Club campsites Search CLs

CampingCard ACSI

A low-season discount option that is especially useful for European touring. CampingCard ACSI is built around discounted stays at more than 3,000 campsites in Europe, with app and card options available.

Europe Low season Discount card

CampingCard ACSI ACSI subscription ACSI app

Best for regular touring and longer trips UK club sites Smaller certificated sites European low-season discounts Useful for caravans, campervans and motorhomes

Directory options

Campsite, holiday park and glamping search options

These options are useful when you want to search directly for campsites, holiday park stays, touring pitches, glamping, lodges or self-catering accommodation along your road trip route.

YHA

YHA offers hostels, camping and glamping in England and Wales, with accommodation in scenic and accessible locations.

England & Wales Hostels Camping Glamping

Explore YHA stays YHA membership discount

John Fowler Holiday Parks

John Fowler Holiday Parks operates 14 parks in South West England and South Wales, with caravan holidays, short breaks and self-catering accommodation in coastal locations.

14 parks South West England South Wales

View John Fowler parks

Hoseasons

Hoseasons is useful for holiday park stays, lodges, static caravans and glamping accommodation, with more than 750 UK holiday parks in its portfolio.

It is not mainly a simple tent-pitch directory, so check each park carefully if you specifically need a touring, caravan or motorhome pitch.

750+ parks Lodges Glamping

Search Hoseasons

Wood Leisure Holiday Parks

Wood Leisure has 6 family-friendly parks across Central Scotland, including options for touring caravans and motorhomes.

6 parks Central Scotland Touring Motorhomes

View Wood Leisure parks

Glamping Hideaways

Glamping Hideaways is useful if you want a more comfortable outdoor-style stay without taking a tent, caravan or campervan.

Glamping Short breaks Comfort stays

Search glamping stays

JetCamp

JetCamp is a campsite search and booking platform with more than 1,500 bookable campsites in the UK.

1,500+ UK campsites Bookable sites Search direct

Search JetCamp UK

Parkdean Resorts Touring & Camping

Parkdean Resorts offers touring and camping at 24 holiday park locations, with pitch types including serviced and electric options.

24 locations Touring Camping Family facilities

View Parkdean touring & camping

Lake District Estates

Lake District Estates is a family-owned business with holiday parks in the Lake District and Kirkby Lonsdale, plus a marina in Lancashire and visitor attractions in the Lake District area.

Lake District Kirkby Lonsdale Holiday parks

View Lake District Estates

Plan the wider trip

Plan the wider road trip around your overnight stops

Choosing where to stay is only one part of planning a good road trip. Use these guides to shape your route, choose a vehicle, prepare for touring days and add useful stops along the way.

✓

Plan your route

Work out realistic driving days, overnight stops and where campsite or holiday park stays fit into your journey.

→

Choose the right vehicle

Your vehicle affects where you can stay, how far you want to drive and what kind of pitches or facilities you need.

+

Prepare for the journey

Pack well, plan simple meals and make the practical side of the trip easier once you are on the road.

↔

Choose a ready-made route

Use Uncover Britain’s digital road trip guides to combine overnight planning with scenic routes, destination notes and flexible itinerary ideas.

Ready to plan the route as well as the overnight stops?

Explore curated UK road trip guides with flexible route sections, planning notes and map-based guidance for cars, campervans and motorhomes.

Browse Road Trip Guides

Quick answers

Camping club and holiday park FAQs

Short answers to help you choose between a camping club membership, campsite directory, holiday park group or glamping option.

Are camping club memberships worth it for a UK road trip?

They can be worth it if you tour regularly, want access to member-only sites or prefer smaller certificated sites and locations. For a one-off trip, compare the membership cost with the sites and discounts you are likely to use.

What is the difference between a camping club and a holiday park group?

A camping club usually offers membership benefits, club sites and smaller member-only sites. A holiday park group usually offers stays at its own parks, often with facilities such as pools, restaurants, entertainment and self-catering accommodation.

What are Certificated Sites and Certificated Locations?

They are smaller campsites linked to the main camping clubs. They are often quieter than larger holiday parks and may suit road trippers who want simple rural overnight stops, but they usually have specific membership and pitch rules.

Is Hoseasons a campsite booking site?

Hoseasons is useful for holiday park stays, lodges, static caravans and glamping accommodation, but it is not primarily a simple touring pitch or tent campsite directory. Check individual parks if you need a pitch for a tent, caravan or motorhome.

Is CampingCard ACSI useful for UK road trips?

CampingCard ACSI is mainly useful for low-season European touring. It can be useful if your wider trip includes Europe, but UK-only travellers may find UK camping clubs or campsite directories more relevant.

Should I book campsites in advance on a UK road trip?

For popular areas, school holidays, bank holidays and coastal routes, booking ahead is usually sensible. For quieter seasons, you may have more flexibility, especially if your route includes smaller sites and you can adjust your driving days.

Affiliate note: Some links on this page are affiliate links. This means Uncover Britain may earn a small commission if you book or buy through them, at no extra cost to you. We include these links as useful road trip planning options for campsite bookings, touring pitches, holiday park stays, glamping and related accommodation.

This page is intended as a practical directory. Inclusion does not mean every option will suit every traveller, vehicle or route, so check pitch types, facilities, rules, prices and availability before booking.

Choosing a Camping Club That Fits Your Road Trip Style

Get the best out of your road trip with camping club memberships

• Member-only sites: access to private locations you can’t stay at without joining.

• Savings: reduced pitch fees and low-season rates that quickly pay for the membership.

• Flexibility: more choice, safer stops and easier planning throughout your journey.

If you’re heading out on a road trip in a motorhome, campervan or even a car with a tent in the boot, a camping club membership can make the whole experience feel easier and a lot more enjoyable. Instead of relying on busy public campsites or hoping something pops up at the last minute, membership gives you access to a whole world of extra places to stay, from small, peaceful spots on private land to tucked-away hideouts and well-kept club sites with clean facilities and friendly hosts.

Many travellers are surprised by just how much value they get from joining. You can save money on pitch fees, discover places you’d never find through booking apps and enjoy the peace of mind that every stop is legal, safe and looked after. There’s a community element too, with guides, maps and fellow campers sharing tips that make planning far easier.

If you love flexibility, comfort and exploring beyond the typical routes, a camping club membership can really open up your road trip. Take a further look at our guides for helping you decide upon camping club membership below:

Part 1: Why Camping Club Memberships Matter on a Road Trip

Part 2: How Memberships Save You Money (Often Much More Than the Fee)

Part 3: A Wider World of Campsites (That You Cannot Access Otherwise)

Part 4: Support, Community and Local Knowledge

Part 6: Why Membership Works Particularly Well on a Road Trip

Part 7: Is a Membership Worth It?

FAQs

Part 1: Why Camping Club Memberships Matter on a Road Trip

Camping club memberships can quietly transform a road trip. They open up a huge range of places you simply can’t access without being a member, small, peaceful sites on private land, cosy hideaways run by local hosts, and networks of safe, well-looked-after campgrounds that give you confidence wherever you travel.

Whether you’re driving a campervan, touring in a motorhome or pitching a tent with your car, memberships offer a mix of choice, discounts, security, and reliable facilities. For road trippers who like a blend of freedom and comfort, it gives you the best of both worlds: the joy of exploring new places without worrying where you’ll rest your head each night.

Part 2: How Memberships Save You Money (Often Much More Than the Fee)

One of the biggest advantages of joining a camping club is the savings. Most clubs offer reduced nightly rates, off-peak deals, or fixed low-cost fees at partner campsites. If you camp even a handful of times a year, the membership usually pays for itself quickly.

Savings can include:

discounted pitch fees
special low-season rates
exclusive member-only prices
partner offers on outdoor gear, travel insurance or ferries

For long road trips, multi-week adventures or families travelling in school holidays, the reductions can be substantial. It’s one of the simplest ways to stretch your budget without compromising on comfort.

Part 3: A Wider World of Campsites (That You Cannot Access Otherwise)

Memberships unlock access to privately owned club sites, certified locations and small member-only spots that you won’t find on public booking platforms. These are often:

peaceful hideaways on private land
small farm-based sites
beautifully maintained club-owned sites with excellent facilities
safe overnight stops in scenic areas
locations you would never discover without membership

Some are perfect for tents; others are tailored for motorhomes and campervans. What they all share is permission, reliability, and a welcoming feel, especially helpful when you’re travelling through remote or unfamiliar areas.

This expanded network gives you choice, which is particularly useful on a road trip where plans shift, weather changes, and you want options beyond standard campsites.

Part 4: Support, Community and Local Knowledge

Camping clubs aren’t just about the sites; they’re about the people. Members often describe the community as one of the unexpected joys:

fellow travellers happy to share tips
friendly wardens on club sites
social events and rallies you can join or simply skip
forums and route-planning tools
local advice from hosts who know the area inside out

If you enjoy meeting like-minded travellers or simply like knowing you’re part of a wider network, membership gives you that sense of connection without any obligation.

It’s also incredibly helpful for new campers who appreciate advice, reassurance and the chance to learn from experienced travellers.

Part 5: Popular UK Camping Clubs and What They Offer

Choosing a camping club can feel a bit overwhelming at first, simply because there are so many options. But each club has its own character, strengths and types of travellers it suits best. Some focus on big, beautifully maintained campsites with great facilities, while others open the door to tiny, peaceful spots on private land that you’d never be able to stay at otherwise.

Here’s a clearer look at a few well-known clubs, what they’re like in real life, and the sort of experience you can expect — especially useful if you’re planning a road trip and want a mix of comfort, peace and flexibility along the way.

The Camping and Caravanning Club is the world's Largest Camping Club. Often called “the friendly club,” this one is known for being incredibly welcoming to all types of campers — tents, campervans, motorhomes and everything in between. Their sites tend to feel relaxed and spacious, with clean facilities and a reassuring consistency across the network.
In addition to their main campsites, the real gem is the huge number of Certified Sites: tiny member-only spots on farms and private land where you can stay with permission, often in lovely quiet settings. The club is also very beginner-friendly, and many hire companies include a temporary membership, making it a great option for first-time road trips.

Membership provides up to 30% off selected campsites.

Hiring a campervan or motorhome? Many hire companies provide a membership via the 'Privilege Membership Scheme'. Ask your hire company for details. Campsites must be booked in advance.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club has over 110 years of experience helping people to explore the great outdoors. Well-loved by motorhome and campervan travellers, this club is known for excellent facilities and a strong focus on convenience. Their sites are usually very well maintained, with spotless washrooms, level pitches and facilities designed to make touring simple.
A big bonus is the flexible booking system, allowing stays to be booked with no deposit, plus generous member rates that can make a big difference over the course of a long journey. Their network also includes many CL (Certified Location) sites, which are small, peaceful and perfect if you prefer quieter stopovers. For road trippers who like reliable comfort after a long day of driving, this club fits beautifully.

Members can benefit from:

Savings of 50% per night on campsite pitch fees
UK Club campsites can be booked with no deposit and the freedom and flexibility to amend or cancel your trip.

Camping Card ASCI

Camp at bargain rates in the low season

CampingCard ACSI is a brilliant option for anyone who loves travelling outside of peak season or prefers quieter, more relaxed trips. Rather than giving you access to a single network, it offers discounted rates at thousands of campsites across Europe, including a good number in the UK, all inspected annually so you know what to expect.

The biggest draw is the fixed low-cost nightly rates: you pay one simple price depending on the site’s category, which can work out dramatically cheaper than booking through standard channels. If you’re touring in spring or autumn, the savings can add up very quickly.

Many road trippers like using ACSI alongside another membership because it widens your options, especially if you’re travelling internationally or planning a longer route. The guide and app make it easy to see which campsites accept the discount and what facilities they offer, which is incredibly handy when you’re on the road and want somewhere affordable, reliable and straightforward for the night.

Always pay one of the six fixed low-cost nightly rates - Save up to 60% per night cheaper in the early and late low season.
3,000 participating campsites throughout Europe - this includes UK campsites
Membership from €16.95 - earn it back within four nights!

CampingCard ACSI membership

With CampingCard ACSI you can camp even cheaper in the off-season.

Always pay one of the six fixed low-cost nightly rates

3,000 participating campsites, inspected every year
Save up to 60% per night
Additional subscription advantage: 18% discount on your purchase

CampingCard ASCI membership website

CampingCard ACSI subscription

With a subscription you will receive the latest version of the CampingCard ACSI guide and discount card before Christmas each year.

If you opt for a combination with the handy CampingCard ACSI app, you will have access to all campsite information on your smartphone or tablet until December 31st 2024.

CampingCard ASCI subscription website

CampingCard ACSI app

Access to the campsite information in this handy app, charged at a nominal price. With it, you'll have information about 3,000 campsites digitally to hand wherever you go.

Travelling by motorhome means you choose the extra package with 9,000 motorhome pitches in the ordering process. (Add this via the shopping basket).

The app is perfect for when you are on the road and you can also use it offline!

CampingCard ASCI APP website