EUROPE’S largest outdoor accommodation provider Pitchup.com has revealed that Cumbria saw the UK’s largest increase in 2019 for bookings for caravanning and camping sites last year across its top ten counties, up by a huge 43% in comparison to 2018.
Following the success of 2019, Cumbria is now one of Pitchup.com’s top 5 selling destinations in the UK, ousting Derbyshire from the fifth spot.
Seatoller Farm, near Keswick, topped the county’s bestseller list. With almost 2,000 bookings made in 2019, the peaceful and scenic family-run farm camp site next to the River Derwent was one of Pitchup.com’s top-selling sites, not just in the UK but globally, last year. Cumbrian bookings on the platform have brought nearly £2.1 million pounds into the local economy with the accommodation cost representing under half of the total economic benefit of visitors to the county.[1]
Commenting on the increase, Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, said: “2019 was an unsettled year, with uncertainty surrounding Brexit leading to decreased consumer spending. However, Brits were still looking for a quality holiday – just one closer to home and at a good price – so it comes as little surprise that one of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations, Cumbria, saw a real boost of interest in its camping and caravanning sites.”
Yates continues: “As for Seatoller Farm, it is a classic example of traditional pitch camping done well. Despite all the hype around glamping, we find that this type of traditional campsite always sells best. The fantastic central location to the Lakes, superb scenery and affordability make Seatoller Farm the ideal base for visitors to the region. Facilities are low-key to preserve the rural atmosphere but contain everything guests need for a comfortable stay – plus, there’s a pub within a mile’s walk.”
Seatoller Farm’s owner Daniel Simpson, who manages the site with his partner Ruby, commented, “We are thrilled to have been named Pitchup.com’s bestseller for Cumbria in our very first year using the booking website. We are extremely proud of our site and already receive a lot of repeat bookings. Pitchup.com has really helped us to raise our profile on a larger scale than we were able to do ourselves, and the number of bookings and revenue it has generated has been beyond all expectations. We very much hope to continue to grow and welcome even more new visitors through 2020 and beyond. This year at Seatoller Farm campsite we are excited to announce the opening of AppleJacks, our on-site catering facility, offering breakfasts, homemade burgers, pizza nights and much more, using our home reared lamb and pork. We’re really looking forward to the new season.”
Seatoller Farm offers family-friendly tent or campervan pitches on the outskirts of Keswick. Pitches start from just £18 per night. Visit www.pitchup.com for more information on this and thousands of other campsites across the globe.
[1] 2019 bookings for sites in Cumbria on Pitchup.com generated sales of £986,464. Accommodation/pitch fees represent just under half of total visitor spend according to Table 4.5, p 24: https://www.ukcca.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/SC6407-00-Holiday-Park-Econ-Impact-England-Final-Report.pdf
