Ending your Camping and Caravanning Club membership made easy

About Camping and Caravanning Club

The Camping and Caravanning Club stands as one of the UK's oldest and most respected outdoor membership organisations, having served camping enthusiasts since 1901. With over 120 years of history, this members-only club provides access to a nationwide network of certificated locations and club sites specifically designed for camping, caravanning, and motorhome holidays across the United Kingdom and Europe.

The organisation operates differently from typical subscription services because it functions as a membership club rather than a simple service provider. When you join, you're not just paying for access to campsites—you're becoming part of a community that includes approximately half a million members who share a passion for outdoor adventures. The club manages over 100 club sites throughout the UK, alongside thousands of smaller certificated locations that offer more intimate camping experiences.

What makes this club particularly valuable to members is the exclusive access it provides. Many of the certificated locations—small, privately-owned sites limited to just five member units—are only available to club members. Additionally, members receive substantial discounts on site fees, often saving far more than the annual membership cost if they camp regularly throughout the year.

The club also publishes a monthly magazine, provides comprehensive travel services including ferry bookings and insurance products, and offers technical advice for caravan and motorhome owners. Members can access the Red Pennant overseas travel service, which provides specialist motoring and medical assistance designed specifically for those travelling with caravans or motorhomes.

Plans, features and pricing structure

Understanding the membership options available helps you make informed decisions about joining and, importantly, about cancelling if the membership no longer suits your needs. The Camping and Caravanning Club offers several membership categories with varying price points and benefits.

Standard membership options

The primary membership tier is the Full Adult Membership, which currently costs approximately £55 per year for a single person or couple living at the same address. This membership includes full access to all club sites and certificated locations, the monthly magazine delivered to your home, and eligibility for all member discounts and services. Keep in mind that this price represents the standard rate, though the club occasionally runs promotional offers for new members.

Additionally, the club offers a Joint Plus membership option for those who want to add extra adults from the same household. This proves particularly useful for families with adult children who camp independently but want to benefit from the membership. The supplementary cost for additional cardholders typically runs around £15-20 per person annually.

What membership includes

First and foremost, your membership provides unlimited access to book and stay at any of the club's sites throughout your membership year. This includes the network of larger club sites with full facilities and the smaller, more basic certificated locations. Most importantly, members receive preferential rates—non-members either cannot book at all or pay significantly higher fees when guest bookings are permitted.

Next, the monthly magazine subscription represents a tangible benefit that arrives at your door. This publication includes site reviews, travel inspiration, technical advice, and member stories. For many members, this alone justifies a portion of the membership cost, particularly during winter months when they're planning future trips.

Additionally, members gain access to the club's comprehensive insurance products, including caravan and motorhome insurance, travel insurance, and the Red Pennant overseas cover. While these represent additional costs beyond membership, the club-negotiated rates typically offer better value than standard market alternatives.

Payment and renewal structure

The club operates on an annual membership cycle that begins from your joining date rather than a fixed calendar year. This means your renewal date is personal to you—if you joined in March, your membership expires the following March. The club typically sends renewal reminders approximately six weeks before your membership lapses, giving you time to decide whether to continue.

Most importantly, understand that membership renewals often process automatically if you've provided payment card details. This automatic renewal system catches many members off guard, particularly those who assumed their membership would simply expire without action. Always check your joining paperwork to confirm whether you opted into automatic renewal, as this significantly impacts your cancellation approach.

Terms of service and cancellation policy

Before diving into the cancellation process, you need to understand the contractual obligations you accepted when joining. The Camping and Caravanning Club operates under standard membership terms that govern both your rights and responsibilities as a member.

Legal requirements in the UK

Under UK consumer law, membership organisations like the Camping and Caravanning Club must provide clear terms about cancellation rights and notice periods. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 establish your baseline rights, though club-specific terms may impose additional requirements.

First, if you joined remotely—online, by phone, or by post—you typically have a 14-day cooling-off period from the date you received your membership confirmation. During this window, you can cancel for any reason and receive a full refund. Keep in mind that this statutory right applies regardless of what the club's own terms state, as it's a legal minimum protection.

Next, after the cooling-off period expires, your cancellation rights depend entirely on the club's membership terms and conditions. Unlike monthly subscription services that you can typically cancel at any time, annual membership organisations often require you to serve out your membership year or provide specific notice periods for non-renewal.

Notice periods and refund policies

The Camping and Caravanning Club's standard terms require members to provide written notice if they wish to cancel their membership and prevent automatic renewal. This represents a critical point that causes confusion—you're not necessarily cancelling mid-term, but rather preventing the next year's membership from automatically renewing.

Most importantly, the club typically requires at least 30 days' notice before your renewal date to process a cancellation and prevent the next year's charge. If you miss this window, you may find yourself charged for another full year of membership. This strict notice period explains why postal cancellation with proof of delivery becomes so important—you need evidence that you submitted your cancellation within the required timeframe.

Regarding refunds for unused membership time, the club's policy generally does not provide pro-rata refunds if you cancel mid-year outside the cooling-off period. This means if you're six months into your annual membership and decide to cancel, you won't receive a refund for the remaining six months. Your membership simply continues until its natural expiry date, but won't renew for the following year.

Common reasons members cancel

Understanding why people cancel helps you evaluate your own situation and decide on the best timing. The most common reason I've seen is simply reduced camping frequency—members who enthusiastically joined after a holiday often find they don't camp enough to justify the annual cost. If you're only managing one or two trips per year, the membership savings rarely offset the membership fee.

Additionally, many members cancel due to changing life circumstances. Health issues, mobility challenges, or caring responsibilities can make camping impractical. Similarly, some members transition to different holiday styles—perhaps moving to hotel stays or switching to wild camping that doesn't require club site access.

Financial pressures represent another significant factor. When household budgets tighten, discretionary memberships like this naturally come under scrutiny. Keep in mind that if finances are temporarily tight but you plan to return to camping, you might consider whether the savings on just a few trips would cover the membership cost.

Cancelling by post - the complete guide

Postal cancellation represents the most reliable and legally secure method for terminating your Camping and Caravanning Club membership. While this might seem old-fashioned in our digital age, written postal cancellation provides crucial advantages that protect your interests.

Why postal cancellation works best

First and foremost, postal cancellation creates an undeniable paper trail. When you send a letter via Recorded Delivery, you receive proof that your cancellation request reached the club's offices on a specific date. This becomes absolutely critical if disputes arise about whether you met the 30-day notice requirement or if the club claims they never received your cancellation.

Next, written cancellation forces clarity and completeness. When you compose a formal letter, you naturally include all necessary information—your membership number, full name, address, and explicit cancellation instruction. Phone calls, by contrast, can suffer from miscommunication, incomplete information capture, or simple human error in processing your request.

Additionally, the club's own terms and conditions typically specify that cancellations must be submitted in writing. This contractual requirement means that even if a helpful staff member processes a phone cancellation, it might not technically satisfy the formal notice requirement. Postal cancellation ensures you've met the contractual obligation exactly as specified.

Most importantly, if automatic renewal charges appear on your payment card despite your cancellation, your Recorded Delivery receipt provides the evidence needed to dispute the charge with your card provider. Banks and card companies take documented proof seriously when processing chargeback requests.

Essential information to include

Your cancellation letter must contain specific details to ensure proper processing. Start with your full name exactly as it appears on your membership card. If you hold a joint membership, include both names clearly. Next, prominently display your membership number—this unique identifier helps the club locate your account immediately and prevents confusion with similarly-named members.

Include your full postal address as registered with the club. This confirms your identity and ensures any final correspondence reaches you correctly. Additionally, provide a contact telephone number and email address. While not strictly necessary, these contact details allow the club to reach you if they need clarification, preventing processing delays.

Most importantly, state your cancellation instruction explicitly and unambiguously. Use clear language such as \