Lodges and static caravans, the new way to camp says Pitchup.com

Outdoor holiday specialist Pitchup.com, which offers over 5,000 sites across nine European countries, today reports a 114% year on year increase in the sale of UK lodges and static caravan holidays for summer 2014*.

Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com said: “Glamping options such as pods and yurts receive a lot of attention and remain very popular, but this summer we’ve noted an increase in bookings for lodges and static caravans. We’ve doubled our number of listings with lodges and static caravans to 403 in the last year to meet demand.”

Static caravans offered by Pitchup.com are permanently or semi-permanently located at a site, while lodges tend to resemble timber-clad homes. Yates explained the benefits for those seeking an outdoor break: “Pitching a tent on grass isn’t for everyone and lodges and static caravans provide very much an outdoor option – often with unrivalled views across countryside or the coast – but with home comforts including fully-fitted kitchens and bathrooms, heating and Wi-Fi. They can offer a real ‘home from home’ for those who might find camping a challenge, such as families with small children, those with mobility issues, those travelling with older relatives or groups of friends wishing to stay together.”

He added: “A year-round affordable option, static caravans and lodges can start from just £20 a night and can accommodate families or friends in up to three or four bedrooms.” 

Added to Pitchup.com for summer 2014 are the two new lodges at BCC Loch Ness in Glen Urquhart, set in 30 acres of rugged uplands near Inverness, which boast views of the Suidhe Ghuirmain peaks from their covered verandas and include fully-fitted kitchens, family-sized shower rooms, laundry facilities and even a four-poster bed in one of them.

The owners said: “We added two lodges to our site to meet demand from families and groups of friends wishing to stay together. Our other accommodation consists of several ‘Hobbit-house’-style pods and a hexagonal riverside pod, and the lodges provide year-round accommodation with all mod cons from Wi-Fi to laundry facilities.”

Yates said: “The variety of accommodation styles now available means that there is far more to lodges and static caravans – or holiday homes as they are called – than there used to be. We list over 5,000 sites and among those are lodges on sites with pools and homes with their own hot tubs, in addition to the more traditional seaside locations.”

Whitehill Country Park near Paignton in Devon provides guests with a heated outdoor swimming pool, bar, takeaway and shop so that they can fully enjoy their countryside break in a two- or three-bedroom static caravan or holiday home.

Tiny Wooden House in Warwickshire offers guests seeking a romantic retreat or a very private bolthole the chance to stay on a working arable farm without compromising on style: with a hot tub and veranda, this two-bedroom mini-lodge exudes rustic charm without compromising on style.

For sand and sea as far as the eye can see, Sands of Luce Holiday Park in Dumfries and Galloway cannot be beaten. With ten traditional dog-friendly two- and three-bedroom holiday homes just steps from the sand, the site makes a perfect year-round base from which to explore the rugged Galloway coastline.

Daniel Yallop, Manager, King's Lynn Caravan and Camping Park said: "Lodges offer a certain level of privacy and comfort and we're finding that they are increasingly popular with groups of friends as well as families: people seeking an escape from a busy urban life, but who want to have a front door to close at night. Families find the layout of our lodges very convenient as they have three bedrooms, as well as featuring a fully-fitted bathroom and kitchen. They are cool in summer and cosy in winter, complete with central heating - which you don't get in a tent!"

For more information visit Pitchup.com. All prices correct at time of writing.

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For media information:

Cass Helstrip, Samantha Marsh or Rob Bates at White Tiger PR

Cass.helstrip@whitetigerpr.com 07968 255464

Samantha.marsh@whitetigerpr.com 07711 265666

rob.bates@whitetigerpr.com 07957 316491 

Notes to editors

* based on 1st January - 29th July 2014

About Pitchup.com

Founded in 2009 by former lastminute.com man, Dan Yates, multi-award winning Pitchup.com is a free guide to all types of outdoor accommodation in the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Croatia, Luxembourg, Austria, Poland and Switzerland.  Pitchup.com, which currently lists over 5,800 sites, provides users with a simple platform in which they can search and book an outdoor holiday with total ease: the customer journey from landing on the homepage through to booking a holiday can be completed in as little as four pages.  The site also goes beyond traditional searches by allowing users to search for accommodation based on more than 80 criteria, such as adults only and campfires allowed, and view nearby events, Good Pub Guide pubs and VisitBritain attractions.  It’s also possible to check out water bathing water quality in the surrounding area with data provided by the European Environment Agency.  Users can also search on the offers page to find the best deals available.

In 2013 Pitchup.com became the first business of its type to launch a bookable mobile app and site, making the site easily accessible to users of mobile and tablet devices.  The mobile site, m.pitchup.com, now accounts for 17% of bookings.

Pitchup.com enables users to search for all types of parks and sites from the major brands right through to one-off campsites and unique outdoor accommodation options, which may not have previously had a web presence.

Awards include Best UK Travel Website of the Year at the British Travel Press Awards 2011, and most recently Best Travel / Leisure / Sports / Mobile Strategy / Campaign at the Marketing on Mobile Awards 2014.