Head of Wanderlust at Camptoo shares reasons to consider a staycation after lockdown.
After months staying indoors, many of us will be looking forward to planning a holiday after lockdown ends. With uncertainties around when it will be possible to travel abroad again, staying closer to home is the ideal holiday fix.
The UK countryside has so much to offer, whether it’s National Parks, woodlands, amazing coastline, rolling hills, rivers and lakes, there are plenty of areas to explore – with most right on our doorstep. Being outdoors and immersed in nature has multiple benefits for our mental and physical health too, so why not consider a camping trip after lockdown?
Despite lockdown, it’s still possible to research and plan travel in spring and beyond, and plenty of Brits are already doing just that. Camptoo, a sharing economy platform with campervans and motorhomes for rent, has seen a whopping 200% increase in bookings over the past three weeks (to 30 January), and the trend is set to continue.
To avoid missing out, the experts at Camptoo have given their top reasons and tips for booking spring and summer staycation travel.
Ed Bassett, UK Country Manager at Camptoo: “We’re encouraging people to think closer to home when planning a trip, as there are many benefits to staycation travel: there’s no need to go to an airport or fly abroad, you don’t need to use public transport, you can travel at your own pace, and, crucially, maintain a safe distance from other people while remaining within your household bubble.
“At Camptoo, we have introduced a flexible booking policy which means customers can book vehicles and cancel up to 24 hours beforehand for a full cash refund. This is useful if lockdown rules change and if different tiers are brought in across different regions of the UK.
“Getting out into nature is proven to benefit our mental and physical health and after being cooped up indoors for many months, what could be better than spending time outside and reconnecting with nature? With a bit of preparation and planning, a staycation is the ideal way to rest and re-charge whilst exploring the UK.”
Socially distanced travel
Travelling in a campervan or caravan is an assured way to keep a safe distance from other holidaymakers, which is important while social distancing rules remain. It also removes the need to use public transport while you travel around.
Campsites have imposed rules to ensure social distancing and have implemented additional cleaning protocols, which gives you added peace of mind, particularly when using shared facilities on site.
A holiday for everyone
It’s very likely that travelling with your household bubble will remain the norm for some time, so think about a trip that will work for all members of the family or group. Camping is a good choice because campsites are close to nature, with lots of places to explore and the chance to try different things.
Try to give children and teenagers some say over the things you do each day, as this will help them to feel more involved in the holiday planning. Look up things to do nearby and book ahead wherever possible. Above all, don’t feel the need to do too much – you also need downtime to relax and spend quality time together.
Slow travel
We’ve all spent much more time with our thoughts this year and some of us may be dreading the return to a “normal” fast-paced way of life. Taking things slowly, fresh air and exercising, mindfulness and meditation – these are positive ways to manage external stresses and re-centre ourselves.
Slow travel is no exception, after all, it’s as much about the journey as the destination. Plan your trip to take in the sights along the way, with regular breaks (ideally at beauty spots), and resist the urge to rush to the destination. Make the journey part of the trip by slowing down and taking in your surroundings as you go. Embrace the ability to change your plans also. Life is full of change, and many find this unsettling so accepting it’s inevitable in travel and in life is a powerful tool for managing worry in these challenging times.
Explore somewhere new
In summer 2020, popular UK destinations included Cornwall, Devon, Lake District and North Wales. We encourage travellers to consider some lesser-known destinations this year, such as Norfolk, Somerset, Dorset, the Cotswolds, North Coast 500, Isle of Skye, Sandwood Bay, and Isle of Mull.
Camptoo’s top-booked destinations for the year so far are Scotland, Cornwall, and the Lake District, so if you are looking at travelling to these areas, we’d suggest booking sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.
At one with nature
In Norway there is a saying “there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing” so even if it’s raining, get your raincoat and wellies on and get outdoors. Walking through woodland or being close to water helps us feel de-stressed and energised and forget any worries.
Plan your trip with nature in mind and mix it up by doing different activities: walking, cycling, jogging, foraging, hiking, rollerblading, there are endless possible ways to explore. Camptoo have a partnership with activity organiser Call to Adventure who offer some fabulous activity breaks to choose from when travelling via camper or motorhome.
It’s also bluebell season from April to May, and the perfect chance to enjoy British woodlands. The beautiful displays of bluebells carpeting the forest floor is a unique joy not to be missed.
Consider spring – campsites are less busy & more cosy
Although you won’t feel crowded as each pitch has its own allotted space, campsites tend to be less busy in spring. With fewer people around it’s also quieter and more peaceful and you may experience more of nature blossoming as a result.
Cooler weather shouldn’t put you off camping either – simply layer up and get cosy. Bring blankets and throws for your tent or campervan and bring plenty of jumpers, warm socks and a waterproof coat. An evening around the campfire is both cosy and comforting but be mindful and respectful of the campsite rules relating to open fires. Check you can access a fire pit and BBQ before you travel and the best way to dry clothes/towels during your trip.
Travelling to a campsite in spring also means you can travel back in summer to enjoy the experience all over again.
Top tip – plan ahead
Forward planning is key. Many campsites, pubs, restaurants and attractions will require booking in advance to ensure social distancing is adhered to. There are also different guidelines in place across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so it’s important to check local guidelines before you travel.
We suggest booking your campervan and campsite accommodation as far ahead as possible – Brits are already booking their spring and summer trips to ensure they secure their preferred campervans and campsites before they book up. The further in advance you book, the more likely you are to find the best quality and lowest cost campervans and motorhomes on the Camptoo website.
Book soon to avoid disappointment. To find out more and plan your trip, visit www.camptoo.co.uk.
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Notes to Editors:
Camptoo’s Head of Wanderlust and UK Country Manager, Ed Bassett, is available for interview or comment upon request.
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About Camptoo
Launched in the Netherlands in 2014, Camptoo is a sharing economy platform that connects the owners and renters of campervans, motorhomes and touring caravans. The company was recently ranked the #1 fastest-growing travel company in Europe by Financial Times (FT1000, 2020).
Since it was launched, Camptoo users have booked over 300,000 nights in vehicles rented through the site. Owners can generate income from their campervan when it’s not being used while renters have greater flexibility when booking their vehicle so that it best suits their needs.
There are over 900 vehicles listed in the UK, with over 3,500 vehicles to choose from across Europe, and a further 400 across Australia, with more being added every week. Vehicles are properly insured to allow both owner as well as renter a carefree holiday, with Camptoo providing all the necessary paperwork, checklists and roadside assistance. For more information, visit www.camptoo.co.uk.
