A golden-hour camping scene with a Snap Pod and happy campers enjoying a firepit in the UK countryside

Is Camping in the UK Making a Comeback?

Remember camping holidays as a kid?

Leaky tents. Cold beans. Someone always forgetting the tent pegs. Classic.

But fast-forward a few decades and something unexpected has happened: camping is cool again. Except now, it’s not about survival. It’s about serenity, sunsets, and Snap Pods.

In fact, camping in the UK is not just back — it’s booming. And we’ve got stats, stories, and some very comfy pillows to prove it.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Since 2020, the UK camping and glamping scene has been on a serious upswing:

  • Bookings at UK campsites rose over 60% post-COVID, with many reporting record summers
  • Google Trends shows a steady rise in “glamping” searches, especially in coastal and countryside regions
  • Eco-tourism is the fastest growing travel sector in the UK, with off-grid getaways leading the charge

What was once a budget-friendly backup plan is now the first choice for thousands of holidaymakers — especially those looking to switch off, unwind, and soak up the British countryside (yes, even in the rain).

Why the Sudden Boom?

Here’s what’s driving the camping comeback:

1. Cost of Living Meets Cost of Flying

Between inflation and rising airfares, holidaying abroad now costs a small fortune. And let’s not forget those new carbon taxes on flights, designed to curb emissions — great for the planet, not so great for your wallet.

A family of five flying to Spain in peak season? That’s half your mortgage.
A weekend in a pod with a firepit and forest view? Much more doable.

2. The Great Post-Pandemic Reset

After lockdowns, many of us reconnected with the outdoors. We craved nature, quiet, and something real — not just another city break. Camping offered freedom, flexibility, and a break from screen fatigue.

3. TikTok, Instagram & The Rise of the Aesthetic Campfire

Today’s campers aren’t content with lumpy roll mats and a lukewarm flask of tea.
They want glowing lanterns, steaming mugs, hammocks, and Snap Pods at golden hour. And who can blame them?

Camping has become content-worthy — and those rustic-chic moments get likes.

4. Comfort Is the New Wilderness

Why freeze in a basic tent when you can sleep under the stars in a pod with proper insulation, a decent mattress, and a soft inflatable pillow?

Modern campers want:

  • Cosy lighting
  • Private space
  • Good sleep
  • Campfire cooking gear that doesn’t look like it survived WW2

Snap Pod’s whole mission is to meet those wants. And then some.

So Where Does Snap Pod Fit In?

We're building modular, hobbit-esque glamping pods that can be set up almost anywhere — from a wildflower meadow to the corner of your farm.

They’re:

  • Cosy yet modern
  • Sustainable and transportable
  • A perfect solution for landowners wanting to ride the glamping wave

Plus, we stock all the little comforts to go with them — lanterns, hammocks, cookware, and the kind of pillows that make you forget you're camping.

The Future of Camping Is Personal, Peaceful, and Pod-Shaped

With rising travel costs, environmental pressures, and a shift towards meaningful, mindful escapes — UK camping is no longer the fallback plan.

It’s the main event.

And at Snap Pod, we’re here to help you experience it properly: warm lights, soft beds, forest sounds, and not a boarding gate in sight.

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