COVID-19 camping: rules and guidance for campsites and caravan holidays in the UK
England
Holidays in England are allowed and all holiday accommodation is able to open.
Most legal limits have now been removed:
- From 27th January: There is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering. The government suggests that you continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet
- From 27th January: Venues and events will no longer be required by law to check visitors’ NHS COVID Pass. The NHS COVID Pass can still be used on a voluntary basis
You should continue to follow the government's guide Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread to keep yourself and others safe.
There are currently no restrictions on travelling to England if you are within the Common Travel Area (UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) unless you have been outside it within the previous 10 days. There are other rules for arriving from elsewhere.
Wales
Holidays in Wales are allowed and all holiday accommodation is able to open.
Most legal limits have now been removed:
- From 21st January: All limits for outdoor activities have been scrapped with crowds able to return to sporting events, and outdoor hospitality can operate without the rule of six
- From 28th January: Wales will move to alert level zero. This means nightclubs can reopen and the rule of six will be scrapped in pubs and restaurants, although Covid passes will still be required for large events, plus cinemas, nightclubs and theatres
You should continue to follow the government's guidance to keep yourself and others safe.
There are currently no restrictions on travelling to Wales if you are within the Common Travel Area (UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) unless you have been outside it within the previous 10 days. There are other rules for arriving from elsewhere.
Scotland
Holidays in Scotland are allowed and all holiday accommodation is able to open.
Most legal limits have now been removed, although unlike in England, there is no plan to relax the rules on face coverings and these will still be required in public spaces, in public transport, and in secondary schools.
You should continue to follow the government's guidance to keep yourself and others safe.
There are currently no restrictions on travelling to Scotland if you are within the Common Travel Area (UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) unless you have been outside it within the previous 10 days. There are other rules for arriving from elsewhere.
Northern Ireland
Holidays in Northern Ireland are allowed and all holiday accommodation is able to open.
Most legal limits have now been removed:
- As of 20th January, the rule of six is no longer applicable and there is no limit on the number of households allowed to meet indoors, but the restriction on the maximum number of people permitted to gather in one house to 30 will remain
- From 26th January, nightclubs can reopen and indoor events can resume
You should continue to follow the government's guidance to keep yourself and others safe.
There are currently no restrictions on travelling to Northern Ireland if you are within the Common Travel Area (UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) unless you have been outside it within the previous 10 days. There are other rules for arriving from elsewhere.
Since these restrictions are subject to change, our deposits are transferable to a later date and many balances also transferable:
- Book 1,700 sites currently taking bookings in the UK with our transferable deposit
Ordnance Survey's GetOutside guide explain what's open in the outdoors and what you are allowed to do.
'COVID-19 Secure' safety guidance for tourism
'COVID-19 Secure' guidelines have been released for businesses in England, Scotland (checklist), Wales (UKHospitality Wales) and Northern Ireland.
In England, employers must include COVID-19 risks when undertaking compulsory risk assessments. Businesses are encouraged to allow customers to 'check in' by displaying an NHS QR code poster or by collecting NHS Track & Trace information from customers who do not 'check in' using the NHS COVID-19 app.
In Wales, it is a legal requirement to conduct a COVID-19 risk assessment. Some venues, for example pubs and restaurants where people may come into close contact with those outside their household, may conclude it is reasonable to collect customer information under the Test, Trace, Protect scheme. How to get a NHS QR code poster NHS Track & Trace information [PDF]
In Scotland, business must follow the safer workplaces guidance and conduct COVID-19 risk assessment. Hospitality premises such as pubs, bars and restaurants must collect customer or visitor information.
The government is encouraging employers to implement workplace testing.
Specialist leisure facility advice is also available:
- swimming pool guidance collated by CIMSPA
- Swim England Return to Pools, Swim Wales and Scottish Swimming
- Hot tubs
More extensive unofficial guidance is also available from the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) and UK Hospitality. The government has previously published social-distancing and cleaning advice.
VisitEngland has partnered with the national tourist boards of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to launch We're Good to Go for businesses to demonstrate they are adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance, have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and checked that they have the required processes in place.
Parks are currently adapting to these guidelines before opening. For example, staff are being trained in new cleaning processes, and pitches reconfigured if capacity is required to reduce.
Guidelines have been developed by the Visitor Economy Working Group, chaired by the tourism minister Nigel Huddleston and including representatives from key sector bodies such as the British Holiday and Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) and B&B Association. The working group is part of DCMS’ Cultural Renewal Taskforce, in charge of defining the roadmap to recovery for recreation and leisure activities.
Many argue that holidays in outdoor environments, with more space, fresh air and your own equipment, are lower risk than enclosed spaces with ventilation systems. In the words of the government's deputy chief medical officer, “It is absolutely a biological truism that outdoor environments are much less [of a] risk than indoor environments”.
Coronavirus camping
Caravan parks and campsites have already introduced measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have added around 50 Coronavirus settings, drawing on examples from around the world - these are visible in the Features and Policies tabs of Pitchup listings when selected by campsites.
Examples include:
- Disinfectant sprays and wipes provided
- Check-in: self check-in (unattended)
- Staggered showering times
- Minimum spacing of _ metres between pitches
- Reception is closed due to restrictions imposed by the coronavirus outbreak
Many campsites also now offer transferable balances to next year, and balance payments on arrival with a low transferable deposit.
Are campsites open?
Yes, all tourist accommodation in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is allowed to open. Travel between these countries is also allowed.
When will holiday parks open?
We are in regular contact with all our campsites, which are updating dates and availability based on the latest guidance. You can view the latest expected opening dates in our search and campsite pages.
Can I go camping abroad?
If you live in the UK, rules for travelling abroad depend on your vaccination status and whether the destination is a red country.
Campsites are now open again in most countries.
Before you travel, you should check the rules for the country or territory you’re going to, find out what you need to do when you return to England and book any tests or quarantine hotel packages you need. View the step-by-step guide to travelling abroad.
Separate information is available for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from the Devolved Administrations.
Those arriving from the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man are already exempt from the quarantine requirement, unless they have been elsewhere in the previous 10 days.
View all of our Coronavirus FAQs