CAMPING | Is Now A Good Time To Book Your Summer Camping & Glamping Trips?

February 17, 2021 Shell Robshaw-Bryan

camping news, Homepage Feature, Tips & Advice

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Are you itching to get outdoors and spend a few nights under canvas? We now know that camping can resume in England from 12th April 2021, so is now a good time to book and should you consider booking earlier than usual for your summer staycation?

On Monday 22nd February the PM revealed the roadmap to recovery from the pandemic and laid out several stages. For campers, the most important stage is due to come into effect on 12th April which is when campsites and caravan sites will be allowed to reopen.

Although this date is dependant on infection and hospitalisation rates, it means that you could now be in a much safer position to book a campsite or self-catering accommodation from mid-April onwards.

However, booking sites are reporting a surge with campsites and accommodation being snapped up fast.

Today I spotted a popular campsite in Cornwall post on Instagram that they were already fully booked between 25th July and 25th August 2021 – it’s only February!

We personally faced challenges last year finding campsites that still had pitches left in locations we wanted to visit. So if you’re planning to get away for a weekend from 12th April onwards, or you want a week away with the family this summer, now is the time to plan and consider making that booking.

Here’s When You Can Go Camping Again In England After Lockdown 2021

Availability could be a challenge again in 2021

Last year, as soon as the rules in England allowed it, we booked a campsite. Most of our first choices were fully booked already and it took a fair bit of hunting around to enable the few camping trips we did manage to go on in between lockdowns.

Tackeroo campsite review — *Tackeroo Campsite, Staffordshire*

When we went camping in July we did manage to get a pitch at our favourite campsite, but it was by the skin of our teeth and I’ve never seen that particular campsite quite so full before!

The global pandemic means there has been an explosion in demand for campsites, with more people than ever taking holidays here in the UK and using camping as a means of getting away from the homes we’ve been banished to for so long. This increase in demand meant that the most popular campsites in the loveliest of locations got booked up fast last year.

I don’t see the situation being any different this year, so ahead of the announcement on the 22nd February, we’d already speculated and booked a campsite for May.

Camping might not be as cheap as you think

For families new to camping, it can come as a bit of shock just how much camping really costs. Camping gear, tent, travel and food costs aside, pitch fee’s can be considerable and you might find those pitch fees are a little higher than usual this year due to high demand and campsite owners needing to recoup costs from the many months they’ve spent closed.

Take a look at The Best Post-Lockdown Staycations Right Here In The UK

For those on a strict budget, you’ll really need to do your research first and if you’ve found a good value campsite, it’s likely to be popular for just that reason, making it even more important that you book early so you’re not left with only the more expensive campsites that might be unrealistic for your budget.

I recently attempted to book a campsite in the midlands – a tent pitch with EHU for just 2 nights in May (not on either of the bank holiday weekends I should add) and have to admit to being shocked at the price.

Paying £35 per night upwards for a pitch is certainly not unusual, particularly in tourist hotspots in places like Cornwall and the Lake District so do be aware that depending on where you choose, camping could be more expensive than you might think, so now’s the time to start looking at your options, whilst there is still good availability up and down the country.

Take a look at 6 Easy Tips For Cheaper Camping Trips – How To Camp For Less

Look for hidden gem campsites

Campsites with great facilities for kids, located on the coast or next to lakes and rivers and those in the most popular tourist destinations are always going to get booked up quickly, but there are some amazing little gems of campsites to be discovered all over the UK.

Uppertown Farm Camping & Caravan Site — *Uppertown Farm Campsite, Derbyshire*

If you usually like to camp close to a beach, you might need to be a bit more flexible this year and consider alternative locations in order to find a pitch, or you might get lucky with a popup campsite or a new site that hasn’t yet attracted lots of attention.

Some of them may have terrible websites and could be languishing down on page 5 of the search results, or even no website at all. Some exist only on Facebook and others are revealed in books like Tiny Campsites by Dixe Wills. Hunt around the internet, ask friends, family and colleagues for recommendations, search Google maps and you might just find a hidden jem!

Find out how to choose the perfect campsite here.

Check campsite booking terms

Most campsites have robust Covid policies in place and will refund you in full or move your booking to a different date if necessary. This means even if you book something now, if things don’t change or different restrictions continue to prevent travel, you won’t be out of pocket. This doesn’t apply everywhere though so do make sure you check.

Cae Du Farm coastal Campsite Tywn Wales — *Cae Du Farm coastal Campsite, Wales*

Bear in mind that some campsite booking engines are charging non-refundable booking fees so it could be better to book direct with the campsite you’re planning to visit.

If you’re looking to book a campsite, you could start by visiting Campsited.com.

Planning your camping trips now and booking something much earlier than you might ordinarily do makes a lot of sense this year and could be the best way of ensuring you’ll be able to get a pitch in the location you want.

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Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Editor & Owner at Camping with Style

Shell loves all things travel and outdoors and is a nature-loving, comfy-camping kinda girl. Shell started the Camping with Style blog after a serious snowboarding accident which left her with a broken back. Despite this she used the outdoors and healing power of nature to aid her recovery and she continues to spend time outdoors whenever she can.

From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.

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