Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club Site

I’ve owned and lived in the motorhome for three weeks now and for most nights I wild camp. I don’t really like the term wild camping as for a hiker like me it’s true meaning is to take a bivvi bag or small lightweight tent and camp in the wilderness. Since I have a comfy bed, heating, light, hot water and a shower perhaps a more accurate term would be ‘off the grid’. In any case when I do stay at a campsite the one I use the most often is Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club Site. This is my review of that site.

Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club Site – Some basics

There are two major camping clubs in the UK, The Camping and Caravanning Club (who like to call themselves the friendly club) and The Caravan Club. Each club has it’s own network of sites and offers similar facilities at a similar price. To obtain the cheaper members rates I joined the club which is a reasonable £36.00 per year if you pay by direct debit. Unlike the majority of club sites, Chertsey is open all year and has 200 pitches. The cost of your pitch is dependent on various factors including the season, the number of people in your party and the type of pitch you require. As well as the discount for being a club member there are also age concession discounts. For my personal circumstances I’m currently paying £11.20 for a service pitch and £14.20 for a super service pitch. A service pitch provides hardstanding and electric hookup and the super service pitch adds a water point, drainage and TV point. Most of the pitches are a good size and I’ve often seen larger 5th wheels parked here.

The facilities on the site are of a high standard. The dedicated toilet and shower block is heated and is also where you will find the chemical dump station. Towards the exit of the site is the motorhome service point where you can take on fresh water as well as dump grey and black waste. The reception sells some basic supplies but it’s not exactly a well stocked shop.

The campsite feels peaceful and squirrels and rabbits are a common sight. During the day you will hear lots of birdsong and the sound of the nearby River Thames. Indeed the riverside access will make this a popular campsite with both fishermen and canoeists.

Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club Site is a popular campsite with tourers from overseas, no doubt due to its close proximity to London. Chertsey train station is about 1 1/2 miles away which has trains to London Waterloo. It’s also a good base if you want to visit places like Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle or Legoland. It’s also a good base if you happen to be looking for campsites near Thorpe Park. As the site is right on the banks of The Thames there are some scenic walks to be had on the towpath.

The village of Chertsey is where the nearest supermarket of any size is located, namely Sainsbury.

I’d happily recommend Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club Site to other motorhomers. Facilities are good, the wardens are friendly and the grounds are well maintained. It is popular though so I’d advise you book early. I’m usually able to get a pitch at short notice during the week unless it’s during the school holidays. At weekends in the spring and summer it’s almost always full.

I’ve since upgraded my camera to one with video and have filmed a short video review of Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club Site which you can see below.