BRITS NO LONGER VIEW OUTDOOR ACCOMMODATION AS SUMMER-ONLY AFFAIR
21 February 2018 –
The great outdoors are calling with British holidaymakers camping and caravanning 47.9m nights in 2017*, 4% up on the previous year. While the sunnier months still top the list, Pitchup.com [1] – the UK’s largest online outdoor accommodation provider has found savvy travellers who have fallen in love with camping, glamping and pods are increasingly booking outdoor accommodation options for year-round stays at home and abroad.
“Staying outdoors is no longer just for summer,” says Pitchup.com founder, Dan Yates. “Brits are increasingly spending the winter discovering their own backyard at world-class year-round sites, or venturing abroad to enjoy a beachside break or a ski break with a difference.”
Yates continues: “Pitchup.com has seen a 46% increase on nights booked in the last twelve months. British travellers have always been savvy, but they are growing more aware of camping, glamping and cabin options such as pods and glamping tents. Outdoor accommodation combines the ‘back to nature’ feel with home comforts, like woodburner stoves, luxurious linens and swimming pools, at a fraction of the cost of a hotel.”
Pitchup.com has reviewed over 3,000 sites around the world to compile its ‘Site for All Seasons’ calendar. Feeling inspired? Book your stay at www.pitchup.com
FEBRUARY – LUDLOW VINTAGE AIRSTREAM [2], SHROPSHIRE
Couples can cosy up in a classic 1959 Airstream trailer set on a private working farm, just 10 minutes from the medieval town of Ludlow. Throw open the doors to the shepherd’s hut bathroom, run a bubble bath in the full-sized slipper bath, and enjoy a soak in the romantic surrounds of the countryside._ On-site caravan from £95 per night.
MARCH – THE OLD THORNS MANOR HOUSE HOTEL [3], HAMPSHIRE
Ideal for those new to outdoor accommodation, this South Downs manor hotel offers luxurious heated pods on their grounds. You certainly won’t be ‘roughing it’ with a stay here – guests also receive access to the hotel’s gym, sauna and pool, plus an on-site champagne and cocktail bar.
Pods from £75 per night.
APRIL – MOSS SIDE FARM CAMPSITE [4], CUMBRIA
This family-friendly site is on a working farm, making it perfect for animal lovers to enjoy a spring break. Less than 10 minutes’ drive from Broughton-in-Furness, children and adults alike will delight in watching young lambs frolicking alongside cows, ponies, ducks and hens. Walking, cycling and horse riding trails close by.
Pitches from £20 per night / Pods from £49.50 per night.
MAY – BIG BERRY LUXURY LANDSCAPE RESORT [5], PRIMOSTEK (SLOVENIA)
Make your bank holiday weekends extra memorable by hiring a campervan and exploring Eastern Europe. Combining the comfort of your motorhome, the Big Berry Luxury Landscape Resort is on the banks of the Kolpa River and a haven for fitness fanatics, with beach volleyball, yoga, outdoor fitness classes, as well complimentary bike and canoe hire. You can even book a massage to ease aching muscles.
Pitches from £17.73 per night.
JUNE – THE GAME LARDER [6], NORTH YORKSHIRE
This cool little lodge offers spectacular views across the North York Moors, and is perfectly placed to explore the nearby fishing town of Whitby. Perfect for couples seeking a romantic escape, it features a woodburning stove, TV, DVD library and basic cooking facilities. Visit in June to make the most of the private deck – the ideal spot for an afternoon glass of wine.
Microlodge from £50 per night; minimum 3 night stay required.
JULY – LADY’S MILE HOLIDAY PARK [7], DEVON
With indoor and outdoor pools – including waterslides – plus an adventure playground, soft play and evening entertainment, it’s easy to see why this site, close to Dawlish Warren, is popular with families.
There’s even a gym and sauna for the adults, an on-site restaurant and two pubs within a mile if you fancy a walk.
Pitches from £24 per night.
AUGUST – BIRKELUND CAMPING [8], HOVET (NORWAY)
Located in eastern Norway, this campsite is another great family holiday option with play areas, trampolines and sandpits on site, plus hiking and cycling routes, table tennis, volleyball and badminton courts. At night, share stories around the communal firepit. A fishing pond and lake are within half a kilometre of the site, with the resort towns of Hovet and Hol three kilometres away.
Pitches from £22.03 per night.
SEPTEMBER – TEN ACRES VINEYARD CAMPING [9], DEVON
A quiet campsite set on a vineyard, you’ll enjoy views of the Devonshire hills and Dartmoor. September usually sees the berries swell, with red grapes taking on their colour and white grape skins becoming more transparent, leading up to the harvest in October. Guided tours of the vineyard and winery can be arranged, or enjoy a walk around Dartmoor and Exmoor.
Pitches from £15 per night.
OCTOBER – WHITE HOUSE ON WYE GLAMPING [10], HEREFORDSHIRE
Why travel as far as the USA for a rainbow of autumn colour when the UK puts on its own spectacular seasonal displays? The Forest of Dean is renowned for beautiful colours, and a tipi at White House on Wye Glamping is ideal for exploring the countryside. Tipis are furnished and feature woodburning stoves for warmth and a mini kitchen.
Tipis from £99 per night.
NOVEMBER – NEWLANDS COUNTRY LODGE [11], KIMBERLEY (SOUTH AFRICA)
Keep your summer going with a trip to South Africa. Newlands Country Lodge can accommodate 12 guests, and offers covered parking, security, self-catered accommodation and the opportunity to hire the site’s own
4×4 for days out. Local attractions include Big Hole diamond mine and Mokala National Park, complete with a range of animals to view including antelope, buffalo and rhino.
Apartment from £146.93 per night.
DECEMBER – EDEN GATEWAY HOLIDAY PARK [12], NEW SOUTH WALES (AUSTRALIA)
Escape the British winter to the sun Down Under this December. Just five minutes’ drive from one of Australia’s best whale-watching areas, enjoy stunning beaches and scenic national parks on your doorstep. Eden Gateway Holiday Park is truly a slice of paradise with swimming pool, playground, pedal car rentals and barbecue areas for the true Aussie holiday experience.
Honeysuckle Point Studio one-bedroom cabin from £42.44 per night.
JANUARY – LOCH TAY HIGHLAND LODGES [13], ABERFELDY (SCOTLAND)
Snuggle up in the Scottish Highlands at Loch Tay Highland Lodges for a romantic winter break. The on-site Boathouse Restaurant has an open fire and stunning views over the Loch, or meet fellow campers in the shared kitchen and games room. Select from Premium Wigwams with their own firepit and private bathroom, or warm up by the cosy woodburning stove in a geodesic dome.
Geodesic domes from £150 for a two-night stay; Premium Wigwam from £160 for a two night stay.
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