Pitchup.com extends summer booking season as Met Office forecasts Indian summer

Outdoor accommodation specialist Pitchup.com is reporting an increase in accommodation owners extending their summer season to the end of October and beyond, as people take advantage of higher-than-average temperatures over the next three months.
With weather experts forecasting warmer conditions throughout the UK, and good weather likely to hold throughout autumn, there’s never been a better time to get out and about to explore the British countryside and stay in a stylish lodge, pod or holiday home.

Immediately after forecasters announced the good news, Pitchup.com saw an increase in bookings and since then there has been a steady stream, according to Pitchup.com founder Dan Yates.

Dan Yates says: “The last time the UK experienced an Indian summer was in 2011, when thousands of people flocked to the beaches and countryside.

“When the Met Office first announced the next few months are likely to be warmer, Pitchup.com immediately saw a spike in bookings. Since then, we have seen a steady stream as more people take advantage of an autumn break in the great outdoors.

 

What has also been noticeable is the increase in site owners extending their summer season through to the end of October, which is when the more traditional canvas sites tend to close down. We currently have 633 sites with allocation from now until the end of October, with 236 bookable sites remaining open right the way through the winter.  This is great news for our customer base as they not only have lodges, pods and holiday homes for the autumn but also a great choice of sites which allow touring and tents.”

With Pitchup.com’s flexible search facility, it’s easy to find accommodation sites that are open all year round. Amongst those offering year-round accommodation are:

 

King’s Lynn Caravan and Camping Park, Norfolk, has ‘mega pods’ that are ideal for those who love the great outdoors but want a few home comforts, with curtains, blinds, lights, electricity and heating. A small fridge, microwave and a kettle are provided, and there is a picnic bench and barbecue area. The site is conveniently situated for Norfolk’s stunning beaches, countryside, nature reserves and country parks and there are plenty of activities nearby including horse riding, clay pigeon shooting and fishing. The pods cost from £80 for two-night stays.

Glamp it up in the comfy camping pods at Hillcrest Park, a tranquil six-acre site very close to the delightful market towns of Barnard Castle and Richmond, and only a 10-minute drive from the trans-Pennine A66. The well-insulated, heated pods offer all the joys of camping with double glazed French doors, Cumbrian sheep's wool insulation and fitted heater. The essential amenities on site are good and the helpful owners will even arrange for any little essentials, given a bit of notice.  The pods cost from £80 for two nights and even welcome dogs.

Border Forest Caravan Park is a dog-friendly holiday park close to the mighty Kielder Forest and Pennine Way, ideal for lovely autumn walks and evening star spotting.  The team at Border Forest include three Kunekune pigs, a Labradoodle, Giant Schnauzer, two Shetland ponies called Ant and Dec, and Henry the cockerel and his harem! Camping pods cost just £70 for two nights.

 

Lee Wick Cottages and Camping, north Essex, is the perfect way to experience an outdoor holiday in a lovely location.  The friendly farm has 18 horses and a fishing reservoir, close to the Essex Wildlife Trust Colne Point Nature Reserve. Its ‘mega pods’ have a small kitchen area and an iPod dock with digital radio. Guests need to bring their own bedding and towels. Pods cost from £100 for two nights.

Teifi Meadows is set amid the little known and lush green countryside of Ceredigion, a haven for all kinds of wildlife, especially birds such as the red kite, for which Wales is famous. It offers a secluded romantic hideaway for two in a shepherd’s hut in a tranquil garden setting. The hut is surrounded by woodland and a small stream – perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday living. A complimentary breakfast hamper of home-produced bacon, sausages and free-range eggs is provided, as are bed linen and fluffy towels.  The hut costs £130 for two nights.

 

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

 

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For media information:

Cass Helstrip or Samantha Marsh at White Tiger PR

Cass.helstrip@whitetigerpr.com 07968 255464

Samantha.marsh@whitetigerpr.com 07711 265666

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 20% 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.