Camping bookings up 500% as UK campsites sell out for summer
Tents are also selling out fast
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Campsite bookings are up 500 per cent in some parts of the UK, while tents are selling out from outdoor equipment stockists as the country prepares for a summer of staycations.
Cool Camping, a campsite website, experienced a surge in bookings in February and March 2021 compared to the same period last year, with demand peaking on 23 February – the day the UK government’s roadmap was announced.
Cornwall, the Lake District and New Forest are the most sought after locations, according to the accommodation provider, with some of the top campsites already fully booked over the August bank holiday weekend.
Demand for camping holidays has also impacted sales of outdoor equipment.
Camping equipment retailer Outdoor World Direct reports experiencing a higher level of demand than usual throughout March and April, with some equipment repeatedly selling out.
“We've made some summer family tents available for pre-order earlier and they’re selling out before they’ve even arrived at our warehouse,” says owner David Scotland.
“If you need new equipment for this summer, I recommend looking sooner rather than later.”
He adds that shipments coming from China are delayed due to global production and logistical issues caused by coronavirus, meaning “there are many lines which are arriving later than expected or not coming at all – which has heightened a stock shortage within the industry”.
Domestic holidays in general are booming this year, as uncertainty over foreign travel continues.
Although international travel has received a tentative go-ahead from 17 May, there are still many obstacles facing travellers looking to holiday abroad.
A traffic-light system means that countries will face different levels of restrictions depending on whether they have been classed as green, amber or red according to the risk of importing Covid infections to the UK.
Green countries will have the lightest restrictions, while arrivals from red countries must submit to hotel quarantine for 11 nights at their own expense.
The green list countries are expected to be announced in early May.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments