PITCHUP.COM COMMENTS ON RELAUNCHED COUNTRYSIDE CODE

 Leading outdoor accommodation booking platform Pitchup.com is supporting the relaunch of a refreshed Countryside Code, sharing it directly with the 1,000,000+ people that take holidays with it every year.

Since March this year, confirmations for all bookings made through the site include a link to a downloadable version of The Countryside Code, as updated today 1st April 2021.

Founder of Pitchup.com Dan Yates says: “We recognise that for many of those heading off on a camping or glamping holiday this summer, it’s a new experience so it’s important for them to understand how to behave in the countryside. Protecting the natural landscape by taking all litter home with you, including dog poo, and sticking to designated footpaths is key.”

“Time spent in the great outdoors is known to offer mental and physical health benefits but the countryside is also a working landscape for farmers so keeping dogs on leads, shutting gates behind you and considerate parking are also important so as not to damage crops or animals, and allow them to carry on with their work without disruption.”

“While it’s good to see that Natural England are also encouraging visitors to ‘be nice, say hello, share the space’, the clearest instruction really is to ‘leave as you find’.”

Pitchup.com works closely with farmers and other landowners who are diversifying to offer holiday accommodation through pop-up camping and glamping sites. Many of those are in less densely populated areas, where provision of public litter bins for example is far less than places that traditionally attract high visitor numbers.

“We’re keen to ensure that holidaymakers heading out to the countryside understand the importance of acting responsibly,” says Yates. “Camping is a great way for people of all ages and backgrounds to explore Britain’s natural landscapes, but visitors need to understand their role in preventing any environmental harm, or detrimental impact on local communities.”