Ending your Caravan and Motorhome Club membership made easy

About Caravan and Motorhome Club

The Caravan and Motorhome Club, formerly known as The Caravan Club until its rebrand in 2017, stands as the UK's largest and oldest touring club for caravan and motorhome enthusiasts. Founded in 1907, this organisation has built a reputation spanning over a century, serving more than one million members across the United Kingdom. The Club operates an extensive network of over 200 Club sites throughout Britain, alongside providing access to more than 2,500 Certificated Locations - small, certified sites typically accommodating up to five outfits in scenic countryside settings.

Members benefit from comprehensive services including discounted pitch fees at Club sites, access to exclusive camping locations, travel insurance tailored specifically for touring holidays, ferry crossing discounts, expert advice on technical matters related to caravans and motorhomes, and a monthly magazine delivered directly to their homes. The Club also provides breakdown cover, training courses for new caravanners, and representation on legislative matters affecting the touring community. Additionally, members receive their membership card which grants access to sites and discounts with various partners across the leisure industry.

Most importantly, the Club positions itself as more than just a site booking service - it's a community organisation offering social events, rallies, and opportunities to connect with fellow enthusiasts. However, despite these extensive offerings, many members find themselves needing to cancel their membership for various practical reasons including changing lifestyle circumstances, health issues preventing travel, financial considerations, or simply discovering that they no longer use the facilities frequently enough to justify the annual membership cost.

Membership plans, features and pricing structure

The Caravan and Motorhome Club operates a straightforward membership structure with several tiers designed to accommodate different household situations. Understanding these options helps clarify what you're paying for and ensures you're cancelling the correct membership type when you write your cancellation letter.

The standard membership renews automatically each year on your joining anniversary unless you actively cancel. This automatic renewal system means you must provide proper notice - typically 30 days before your renewal date - to avoid being charged for another year. Keep in mind that the Club operates on a membership year basis, not a calendar year, so your renewal date depends entirely on when you originally joined.

First, it's essential to understand that membership fees are generally non-refundable once paid, except in exceptional circumstances at the Club's discretion. This policy makes timing your cancellation absolutely critical. If you cancel mid-year, you'll typically retain access until your current membership period expires, but you won't receive a pro-rata refund for unused months. Additionally, members who've purchased Life Membership face different cancellation considerations, as this represents a one-time payment with no annual renewal to cancel, though you can still terminate your membership relationship with the organisation.

Additional services and their costs

Beyond basic membership, the Club offers various bolt-on services that require separate cancellation if you've signed up for them. The Red Pennant overseas travel cover, Mayday breakdown assistance, and insurance products all operate as distinct contracts with their own terms and renewal dates. Most importantly, cancelling your membership doesn't automatically cancel these additional services - you'll need to address each one separately in your correspondence to ensure you're not charged for services you no longer want.

Terms of service and cancellation policy requirements

The Caravan and Motorhome Club's terms and conditions contain specific provisions governing membership cancellation that every member should understand before initiating the process. These terms are legally binding and determine your rights and obligations when ending your membership relationship.

Notice period requirements

According to the Club's membership terms, you must provide written notice of cancellation at least 30 days before your membership renewal date. This requirement isn't merely a suggestion - it's a contractual obligation that protects both you and the organisation. If you miss this 30-day window, you'll likely be charged for another full year of membership, as the Club's systems process renewals automatically. Keep in mind that "written notice" specifically means postal correspondence or potentially email, though postal cancellation provides the most reliable proof of delivery.

Next, understanding your renewal date proves crucial. The Club typically sends renewal reminders approximately six weeks before your membership expires, but relying solely on these reminders risks missing your cancellation window. Check your membership card or contact the Club well in advance to confirm your exact renewal date. Additionally, if you've recently joined within the past few months, consider whether cancelling now or waiting until closer to renewal makes more financial sense, given the non-refundable nature of membership fees.

Refund policy and exceptions

The Club's standard position states that membership fees are non-refundable once paid. However, certain exceptional circumstances might warrant consideration for partial refunds, including serious illness preventing any use of membership benefits, bereavement, or sale of your caravan or motorhome shortly after joining due to unforeseen circumstances. These situations require supporting documentation and remain entirely at the Club's discretion - there's no automatic entitlement to refunds.

Most importantly, if you've purchased Life Membership, the terms differ significantly. While you cannot obtain a refund on Life Membership under normal circumstances, you can still formally resign your membership if you wish to completely sever ties with the organisation. This distinction matters for data protection purposes and ensuring you no longer receive communications from the Club.

UK consumer rights considerations

Under UK consumer law, specifically the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, you have certain protections when cancelling services. However, these primarily apply during the initial 14-day cooling-off period after first joining. If you've just become a member, you can cancel within 14 days of joining and receive a full refund, provided you haven't already used Club sites or services during this period. This cooling-off right represents your strongest legal position for obtaining a refund.

Cancelling by post - the complete step-by-step guide

Postal cancellation remains the gold standard method for terminating your Caravan and Motorhome Club membership, providing documentary evidence and legal protection that other methods simply cannot match. Here's exactly how to execute this process efficiently and effectively.

Why postal cancellation provides the best protection

First, let's address why sending a physical letter via Royal Mail Tracked or Recorded Delivery offers superior protection compared to phone calls or even emails. When you cancel by post using a tracked service, you create an indisputable paper trail showing exactly when the Club received your cancellation request. This proof becomes invaluable if disputes arise about whether you provided adequate notice or if the Club claims they never received your cancellation.

Phone cancellations, whilst seemingly convenient, leave you vulnerable because you're relying entirely on the staff member correctly recording your request in their system. There's no independent verification, and if something goes wrong, you have no evidence of your cancellation attempt. Similarly, whilst email seems modern and efficient, emails can end up in spam folders, be overlooked, or the Club might dispute whether they constitute valid "written notice" under their terms. Additionally, postal cancellation aligns perfectly with UK legal traditions around contract termination, giving your cancellation request the strongest possible foundation.

Gathering necessary information before writing

Before putting pen to paper, collect these essential details: your full membership number (found on your membership card), the names of all members covered by your membership, your complete postal address as registered with the Club, your renewal date, and details of any additional services you're also cancelling. Having this information readily available ensures your letter contains everything needed for the Club to process your request without delays or requests for clarification.

Next, check your renewal date carefully. If you're within 30 days of renewal, you may need to accept that you'll be charged for another year unless you can prove exceptional circumstances. Keep in mind that calculating the 30-day period means counting backwards from your renewal date, not from when you think you might send the letter. Factor in postal delivery times - even Recorded Delivery typically takes 1-2 working days, so send your letter with at least 35 days before renewal to provide a comfortable margin.

What your cancellation letter must include

Your cancellation letter needs to be clear, concise, and contain specific information. Start with your full name and address at the top, followed by the date you're writing. Include your membership number prominently in the subject line or first paragraph. State clearly and unambiguously that you wish to cancel your membership, specifying whether you want cancellation at the end of your current membership period or immediately (though immediate cancellation won't trigger refunds).

Most importantly, request written confirmation of your cancellation and the effective date. This confirmation serves as your proof that the Club has acknowledged and processed your request. Additionally, if you're cancelling additional services like breakdown cover or insurance, list each one specifically by name and policy number. Don't assume that cancelling membership automatically terminates these separate contracts.

Choosing the right postal service

Royal Mail offers several tracked services suitable for cancellation letters. Recorded Signed For (formerly Recorded Delivery) costs approximately £3.35 on top of standard postage and provides proof of delivery with a signature. Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm costs around £7.50 and offers next-day delivery with compensation if delayed, though this premium service is usually unnecessary for straightforward cancellations unless you're cutting it very close to your deadline.

For most situations, Recorded Signed For provides the perfect balance of affordability and security. You'll receive a reference number when posting, which you can use to track your letter online through the Royal Mail website. Keep this reference number safe alongside a photocopy of your letter - these documents together constitute your complete proof of cancellation should any disputes arise later.

The correct postal address for cancellations

Send your cancellation letter to the Club's membership services department at this address:

• Caravan and Motorhome Club
• East Grinstead House
• East Grinstead
• West Sussex
• RH19 1UA
• United Kingdom

Double-check you've written this address correctly on your envelope. A misaddressed letter could delay delivery beyond your 30-day notice period, potentially leaving you liable for another year's membership fees. Additionally, ensure your return address appears clearly on the envelope so the Club can respond with confirmation.

Using services like Postclic for tracked cancellations

If you want to streamline the postal cancellation process whilst maintaining all the legal protections of traditional post, services like Postclic offer a modern solution. Postclic allows you to compose and send tracked letters digitally - you type your letter online, and they print, envelope, and post it via Royal Mail Tracked services on your behalf. This approach saves you trips to the post office whilst providing the same legal proof of delivery that traditional Recorded Delivery offers.

The key advantage lies in convenience and record-keeping. Postclic stores digital copies of your letters and delivery confirmations, creating a permanent archive you can access anytime. This proves particularly valuable if you need to reference your cancellation months or years later. Additionally, Postclic ensures professional formatting and correct addressing, eliminating common mistakes that might delay processing. Whilst there's a service fee involved, many people find the time-saving and peace of mind worth the modest cost, especially when cancelling multiple services simultaneously.

After posting your cancellation letter

Once you've posted your letter via tracked services, monitor the tracking information online to confirm delivery. Royal Mail typically updates tracking within 24 hours of delivery, showing the date, time, and signature of the person who received your letter. Screenshot or print this tracking confirmation and file it with your copy of the cancellation letter.

Next, expect to receive written confirmation from the Club within 10-14 working days of delivery. This confirmation should state your cancellation has been processed and specify the date your membership will end. If you don't receive confirmation within three weeks, follow up with another letter referencing your original cancellation and including copies of your proof of delivery. Keep in mind that the Club processes significant volumes of correspondence, so some delay is normal, but you shouldn't be left in limbo for extended periods.

What happens to automatic payments

If you pay your membership via Direct Debit or continuous payment authority on a credit or debit card, cancelling your membership should stop future payments automatically once processed. However, don't rely entirely on this - monitor your bank statements around your renewal date to ensure no payment is taken. If a payment is collected after you've provided proper cancellation notice with proof of delivery, contact your bank immediately to request a refund under the Direct Debit Guarantee scheme or chargeback provisions for card payments.

Most importantly, never cancel your Direct Debit or card payment as your primary method of ending membership. This approach doesn't constitute proper cancellation notice under the Club's terms and could result in debt collection activity for unpaid membership fees. Always cancel through proper written notice first, then verify that payments have stopped naturally.

Tips and insights from former members

Having processed thousands of membership cancellations, certain patterns and insider knowledge emerge that can help you navigate this process more smoothly. Here's what experienced former members wish they'd known before cancelling.

Common reasons people cancel their membership

Understanding why others cancel helps contextualize your own decision and ensures you're making the right choice. The most frequent reason cited by former members involves changing usage patterns - they initially joined with enthusiasm for touring holidays but found they actually only used Club sites once or twice per year, making the annual fee poor value compared to paying non-member rates for occasional visits.

Additionally, many members cancel due to health issues that prevent comfortable caravanning or motorhoming, particularly as they age. The physical demands of towing, manoeuvring large vehicles, and setting up camp become prohibitive for some members in their later years. Financial pressures also drive cancellations, especially during economic downturns when discretionary spending on leisure activities faces scrutiny. Keep in mind that these reasons are entirely valid - membership should serve your needs, not become an obligation you maintain out of guilt or habit.

Timing your cancellation strategically

First, if you're considering cancellation but your renewal date is several months away, you might as well continue using your membership benefits until it expires naturally. There's no advantage to cancelling early since you won't receive a refund for unused time. However, don't delay sending your cancellation letter until the last minute - aim to post it 6-8 weeks before renewal to provide ample margin for postal delivery and processing.

Next, consider whether you might want to rejoin in future. The Club welcomes returning members, and there's no penalty for cancelling and later rejoining if your circumstances change. This flexibility means you shouldn't maintain membership purely because you think you might possibly want to use it someday - cancel now and rejoin later if needed. Additionally, the Club occasionally runs promotional offers for new members with reduced joining fees, so returning members might actually benefit from better rates than continuously maintaining membership.

Mistakes to avoid during cancellation

The single biggest mistake former members report is missing the 30-day notice deadline through poor planning. They knew they wanted to cancel, kept meaning to send the letter, and suddenly found themselves charged for another year. Set a calendar reminder for 60 days before your renewal date specifically to prompt you to handle cancellation if you're considering it. This buffer ensures you don't get caught out by procrastination.

Another common error involves assuming that verbal cancellations or emails constitute proper notice. Multiple former members have shared frustrating experiences where they believed they'd cancelled via phone or email, only to be charged renewal fees because the Club had no record of their cancellation request. Postal cancellation with proof of delivery eliminates this risk entirely. Most importantly, never rely on simply stopping payment as a cancellation method - this creates debt issues rather than cleanly ending your membership.

What to do if you're charged after cancelling

If you've sent proper written cancellation with adequate notice and proof of delivery, but you're still charged a renewal fee, don't panic - this situation is resolvable. First, gather your evidence: your copy of the cancellation letter, proof of delivery from Royal Mail tracking, and any confirmation received from the Club. Contact the Club's membership services department in writing (again using tracked post), explaining the situation and providing copies of your evidence. Request a full refund of the incorrectly charged renewal fee.

Under UK consumer law and the Direct Debit Guarantee, you have strong protections against incorrect charges. If the Club doesn't promptly refund you after seeing your evidence, contact your bank to initiate a Direct Debit indemnity claim or credit card chargeback. Banks typically side with customers who can demonstrate they provided proper cancellation notice that was ignored. Additionally, if you face significant difficulties resolving the matter, the Financial Ombudsman Service can investigate complaints about financial products like insurance, though membership fees themselves fall outside their remit.

Alternatives to full cancellation

Before completely cancelling, consider whether other options might better suit your situation. If financial pressure is driving your decision, the Club sometimes offers payment plans that spread the annual fee across monthly instalments, making it more manageable. If you're temporarily unable to use your membership due to health issues or life circumstances, you might contact the Club to discuss a temporary suspension, though this isn't a standard offering and depends on their discretion.

Keep in mind that if you're cancelling purely because you've moved away from Club sites, remember that membership also provides access to thousands of Certificated Locations and affiliated sites abroad through reciprocal agreements with European camping organisations. You might discover useful sites you weren't aware of that make membership worthwhile. However, if you've genuinely assessed your usage and membership doesn't provide value, cancellation remains the sensible choice - don't let sunk costs or emotional attachment to the organisation override practical financial decisions.

Life after membership

Former members report that life without Caravan and Motorhome Club membership continues perfectly well, particularly with the abundance of alternative camping options available. The Camping and Caravanning Club offers similar services with a different site network, whilst commercial campsites, holiday parks, and Certificated Site equivalents remain accessible to non-members at competitive rates. Many former members discover they actually prefer the flexibility of not feeling obligated to use Club sites to justify their membership investment.

Most importantly, remember that cancelling membership doesn't mean abandoning caravanning or motorhoming entirely - it simply means accessing these activities through different channels that better suit your current circumstances and usage patterns. The touring community extends far beyond any single organisation, and you'll continue enjoying your leisure time on your own terms without the annual membership commitment.