Page last updated: 12 March 2026
Camping has become one of the UK’s most popular forms of domestic holiday. Each year millions of Britons head to campgrounds, caravan parks and glamping sites, drawn by outdoor activities and adventure.
How many people go camping in the UK each year?
Between 12 and 15 million domestic camping or caravanning trips are taken in the UK each year. This means around 20-25% of UK adults participate.
- There were 12.1 million camping and caravanning trips (10% of total trips) in the UK in 2023. This was less than the 14.1 million trips (11% of total trips) recorded in 2022.
- 14.3 million trips with an average stay of 4.2 nights in 2019 (pre-pandemic).
- Annual camping trips ranged between 14 to 15 million trips over the past decade. The highest number reached 15.4 million in 2015 and the lowest reached 12.1 million in 2023.
- The UK is a top camping destination with 59.5 million nights spent in 2019. It is second only to France (129 million nights).
How many nights are spent camping in the UK each year?
Campers spent 45.8 million nights camping in the UK in 2023 (13% of total overnight stays).
- 55.7 million nights in 2022 (15% of total overnight stays).
- 64.7 million nights in 2015 (17% of total overnight stays).
| Camping & Caravan in Great Britain | Trips (Millions) | % of Trips | Nights (Millions) | % of Nights | Spend (Billions) | % of Spend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 15.4M | 11% | 64.7M | 17% | £2.5B | 10% |
| 2016 | 14.9M | 12% | 59.6M | 17% | £2.1B | 9% |
| 2017 | 15.2M | 13% | 64.1M | 17% | £2.2B | 9% |
| 2018 | 14.8M | 12% | 64.7M | 17% | £2.5B | 10% |
| 2019 | 14.3M | 12% | 59.5M | 16% | £2.4B | 10% |
| 2020 | – | no | available | data | – | – |
| 2021 | – | no | available | data | – | – |
| 2022 | 14.1M | 11% | 55.7M | 15% | £3.2B | 10% |
| 2023 | 12.1M | 10% | 45.8M | 13% | £2.8B | 9% |
How much do campers spend on their camping trips in the UK?
Campers and caravan trippers in the UK contributed £2.82 billion in 2023, 9% of total tourism spending.
- Tourist spending reached £3.22 billion in 2022 (10% of total tourism spending).
- Tourist spending reached £2.49 billion in 2015 (10% of total tourism spending).
What is the average cost of camping in the UK?
- A typical UK camping trip costs around £168 per person and £500-£700 per family or group trip.
- Campers who bring their tents or caravans spend around £504 per trip. £211 on site (camp fees and food) and £293 off site (groceries, fuel, dining).
- Those renting static caravans or glamping spend around £1,098 per trip. £694 on site and £404 off site.
Note: Individual trip costs can vary, with typical UK trips costing around £168 per person (or £500-£700 for family or group holidays), but the above total trip costs give an idea of the spending intensity and the premium segment’s impact.
What are the most visited camping destinations in the UK?
Camping is most popular in England, where GB residents spent 55 million nights in 2019. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have higher per capita camping participation even with fewer total visitors.
- Camping and caravan trips in Great Britain totalled 12.1 million in 2023. England accounted for almost 85% (around 9.9 million trips). This was down from 11.1 million camping and caravan trips in England in 2022.
- Top destinations are the Lake District (16% of online destination views), Cornwall (for its beaches), the New Forest and the South West (Devon and Dorset).
UK Travel Resources
How did COVID‑19 impact the camping industry in the UK?
Camping trips decreased significantly in 2020 (early lockdown). Afterwards, there was a surge in domestic camping. 16.4 million campers were recorded in 2021 (71% increase).
- The number of trips and spending returned and even exceeded pre-pandemic numbers by 2022.
- New Campers: Around 4.5 million Britons took their first camping or caravanning holiday during the pandemic (2020-2021).
How has technology influenced camping in the UK?
Digital technology has transformed how campers book their trips.
- 64% of camping reservations are now made online (based on the 2023 survey).
- 43% of bookings made on mobile apps are created on the day of arrival.
- Pitchup.com, Hipcamp and other websites allow instant access to thousands of campsites.
- Social media and user reviews play a key role in campsite selection.
- Lead times have been reduced by 15% and international bookings for UK sites have surged.
When does the camping season start to pick up?
Camping season starts to pick up in May (50%) and June (54%) according to the 2022-2023 survey. This is due to improved weather and early-summer breaks (before the school holiday rush in July and August).
- August sees the highest holiday park and campsite usage because of summer holidays and good weather, with occupancy rates peaking at around 68% in 2022-2023.
How long do campers typically stay at campsites in the UK?
Campers stay for about 5 nights according to the 2022-2023 survey. This is a 21% increase from 4.2 nights in 2019. The average UK camping holiday is 4-5 nights with holiday park visitors spending 12% more per day than the national tourism average.
- Families stay for 5-7 nights during school holidays. Solo travellers or couples stay for 2-3 nights.
- Destination campsites serving as holiday hubs for touring caravanners record longer stays than stopover sites.
Camping Demographics: Who camps the most in the UK?
It’s a broad market, with younger adults (aged 25-34 averaging 2.8 trips a year) playing a bigger role.
- Families with children and retirees are also key segments. Retirees are traditionally more caravan-friendly.
- Men have historically camped more than women but the gap is closing.
- Post pandemic data shows 37% of new campers have a household income above £50,000, up from 21% pre-pandemic. This shift towards a more affluent demographic is driving spending on premium experiences like glamping and caravan rentals.
Camping Preferences: Where did people camp the most in the UK?
Most visitors choose mobile accommodation. 84% stayed in a touring caravan (36%), motorhome (41%) or tent (7%) according to the 2022-2023 survey .
- Static accommodation is not as popular. Only 10% stayed in an owner-occupied holiday caravan or lodge and 5% stayed in rented accommodation.
What type of camping experiences are most popular in the UK?
Caravan (touring and static) holidays in the UK accounted for 63% of all camping in 2023.
- Tent camping recorded 15% of all camping (1.8 million out of 12.1 million in 2023). It is still the preference for traditional campers.
- Glamping and alternative accommodation (yurts, treehouses and ecopods) recorded 7% of all camping (800,000 out of 12.1 million in 2023).
- Static caravans (owned and rented) recorded over 50% of all camping.
Camping and Caravanning by accommodation in Great Britain
(Jan – Dec 2023)
| Category | Trips (millions) | % of Total Trips | Nights Stayed (millions) | % of Total Nights | Total Spend (£millions) | % of Total Spend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Domestic Trips in Great Britain | 117.4 | 100% | 340.2 | 100% | £31,253 | 100% |
| Total Camping, Caravanning, and Glamping Trips | 12.1 | 10% | 45.8 | 13% | £2,822 | 9% |
| – Touring Caravans | 1.4 | 1% | 6.7 | 2% | £349 | 1% |
| – Campervans & Motorhomes | 1.8 | 2% | 5.5 | 2% | £435 | 1% |
| – Static Caravans (Owned) | 1.3 | 1% | 5.4 | 2% | £175 | 1% |
| – Static Caravans (Not Owned) | 4.9 | 4% | 19.9 | 6% | £1,314 | 4% |
| – Tent Camping | 1.8 | 2% | 6.2 | 2% | £325 | 1% |
| – Glamping & Alternative Accommodations (e.g., Yurts, Tipis, Treehouses, Ecopods) | 0.8 | 1% | 2.1 | 1% | £223 | 1% |
Economic Impact of the UK Camping Industry
The UK holiday park and campsite sector generated around £12.2 billion in tourist spending in 2023. This contributed £7.2 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) (about 5% of the UK’s tourism GDP).
9% of domestic overnight tourism spending is due to camping. The industry supports around 226,745 full-time equivalent jobs.
- There were 4,754 holiday parks and campsites with 320,901 pitches in England in 2023. The sector generated £9.2 billion in visitor expenditure (equivalent to £5.45 billion GVA) and supported 170,429 jobs.
- There were 401 holiday parks and campsites with 35,093 pitches in Scotland. The sector generated £991.1 million in visitor expenditure and contributed £565 million in GVA, supporting 18,354 FTE jobs.
- There were 922 holiday parks and campsites with 69,088 pitches in Wales. The sector generated £1.66 billion in visitor expenditure and contributed £945.9 million in GVA, supporting 30,726 FTE jobs.
- There were 92 holiday parks and campsites with 14,746 pitches in Northern Ireland in 2023. The sector generated £390.7 million in visitor expenditure and contributed £205.7 million GVA, supporting 7,236 FTE jobs.
Camping Statistics by Country
- Camping Statistics in the USA
- Camping Statistics in Canada
- Camping Statistics in Europe & the UK
- Camping Statistics in Australia
- Camping Trends
References
- UKCCA: Pitching the Value Report detailing participation, spending, and rebound data.
- UKCCA: 2024 Economic Benefit Report – Holiday Parks and Campsites
- UKCCA: 2019 Economic Benefit Report – Holiday Parks and Campsites
- VisitBritain: Percentage of Caravan and Camping Trips 2015-2023