Glamping? No, gramping is the new trend

It’s no longer glamping but ‘gramping’ which is the latest trend for British campers. More and more grandparents are taking their grandchildren camping or caravanning for their annual holiday – to save costs and to give parents a break.

Over a third of UK families rely on grandparents to help look after children during the school break, with one in four grandparents also taking their grandchildren away on holiday, according to a new survey by Mintel.

Campsites, caravan parks and holiday parks report an increase in older people on holiday with their grandchildren at this time of year, with camping thought to be popular with grandparents for the nostalgia factor. It also makes for bonding across the generations on back to basics trips, when the grandchildren don’t bring along phones and gadgets.    

One in five over 65s have taken a camping or caravanning holiday in the past three years, the survey found.

Another survey, on UK tourism by company Halfords, found that spending on camping by older people has risen by a fifth in 2012.

Paul McClenaghan, Halfords commercial director, said: 'We know that many people have nostalgic memories of camping trips when they were growing up so it’s natural that grandparents want to pass on the enjoyment of a holiday under canvas to their grandchildren.

'Camping is also great value and an ideal way to occupy children and give them an active break.'