How hot weather is changing camping holidays

Hot weather is changing camping habits across the West, with some holidaymakers ditching tents in favour of glamping while others are continuing to book UK breaks.

Campsite owners in Somerset say recent heatwaves have prompted some visitors to rethink traditional camping holidays, particularly families with children, older relatives and dogs.

At the same time, other sites in the region report rising visitor numbers as holidaymakers take advantage of dry weather and look for affordable alternatives to trips abroad.

Camping and caravanning contributes about £55m to Somerset's economy alone, according to Visit Somerset, which says the sector remains a vital part of the tourism industry.

Chief executive John Turner said: "It's one that is playing an even more important role as people look for cheaper ways to get away."

But he added that increasing temperatures are causing people to think twice before camping in the heat, visitor numbers are down and the county's attractions have seen a drop of 66 per cent on last year.

"I think people are concerned about their own health and the health of their families as well so will possibly be taking even shorter breaks or looking for under cover breaks and attractions".

Jennifer Burgis, from Burton Springs Holidays and Fishing near Bridgwater, said the hot weather has been as bad for business as rain.

"Everyone says you've got all this sunshine it must be great for camping. But I'm like, not really," she said,

She said the recent hot sunny weather is "making people stay away" or "change their booking".

Camping and motorhome bookings at the site are down by about 25%, she added, while glamping accommodation, including bell tents and pods, is up by around 7%.

"People would be ringing to cancel at the peak of the heatwave because they had dogs, or children or elderly relatives and just didn't want to put a tent up.

"And some people would ask to move into the glamping…. so I guess people are saying I don't want to put a tent up in the heat so let's go glamping where everything is there and done."

She added that the high temperatures have also been bad for fishing as their lake levels have fallen and oxygen levels drop when this happens.

But for other campsite owners, the picture is more positive.

Ruth Powell, owner of Enjoy Elmwicke Camping near Cheltenham, said: "We're very busy, we're about 7% up on last year's bookings which is fantastic.

"All the weekends we are pretty much full all the way to September."

She said some campers were adapting to hotter conditions by bringing fans or using air-conditioned caravans and motorhomes.

"The ones in the tent that are non-electric find it more difficult. The sun is rising a lot earlier and it's a lot hotter."

Dry conditions have also forced the site to restrict fire pits at times.

"Most people are sensible. The whole point of camping is to cook outdoors and children enjoy cooking marshmallows.

"It's more and more expensive to go abroad. Camping is I feel really great value for money."

Another campsite owner said the prolonged spell of hot, dry weather had also boosted business.

Jules Sayer, who runs Petruth Paddocks Campsite near Cheddar with his family, said visitor numbers were up 25% compared with last year.

He believes the sunny weather has given people greater confidence to book a camping break.

"I think they feel like they can make a decision with more certainty to stay in the UK.

"So I think that certainty is something that has changed in the last four or five years."

The campsite does not have WiFi, something he believes is becoming increasingly attractive to families.

"I think we suffered with that for many years because they felt their children needed their devices in order to be entertained.

"But in the last three or four years we've seen a big change, Mum and Dad making a decision about going to a site that doesn't have devices…. they want their children to grow up in the way they grew up."

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