Camping as a recreational activity entered into popular society over 100 years ago and through the effects of the current economic climate there are currently over 1.2 million people who use camping as their main holiday within the UK and according to surveys is set to grow even more.

 

Camping as a recreational activity entered into popular society over 100 years ago and through the effects of the current economic climate there are currently over 1.2 million people who use camping as their main holiday within the UK and according to surveys is set to grow even more.

 

Camping under canvas has been enjoyed since the 1800s and Thomas Hiram Holding was one of the first proponents of the activity.  Holding went on to write the first Camper’s Handbook in 1908, drawing from his experience traveling with a wagon train across the prairies of America, this journey was taken with his family in 1853 at the age of 9.

 

Thomas Holding was also a keen cyclist and wrote a book about his experience which led to the formation of the Association of Cycle Campers in 1901. This group, originally formed of 13 members, led to the beginnings of the Camping and Caravanning Club whose members have grown to a third of a million as more and more people take up the activity of camping.

 

This membership has been headed up by some very famous and influential people, the first of whom being Captain Robert Falcon-Scot who later became knows as ‘Scott of the Antarctic. The next notable member was Sir Robert Baden-Powell who went on to form the Scouting movement.  This trend has continued over the years with the current incumbent being Dr David Bellamy OBE the famous Naturalist.

 

The growth of recreational camping continued over the following years, but did see a slight decline during the First World War.  The next major shift in recreational camping came with people wanting a more formidable shell between them and the elements, thus caravans were starting to become popular by the end of the 1930s.

 

During the 1960s there was a change in the way people went on holiday in the UK, people started to notice the benefits of camping rather than staying in a boarding house which had in the past always been very popular.

 

Campers all over the UK have always been in tune with the counties of Devon and Cornwall, thus this has become the most popular location for camping and the discerning holiday maker whether choosing camping in Cornwall, or camping in Devon have recognized both have much to offer.

 

Campsites in Cornwall are set in some of the most beautiful locations and it does not matter whether you pack a tent on your back or in the boot of your car, or choose to tow your own touring caravan, or even take up residence in a comfortable luxury static caravan for your holiday you will find these sites have everything to make the perfect holiday.  You may also choose a campsite Devon, either way you will find there is plenty on offer.

 

A spokesman for Wooda Farm Holiday Park in Bude North Cornwall on the border with Devon said “these days camping does not paint a picture of life under canvas in muddy fields as things have moved on since those early days. We at Wooda Farm offer the best facilities whether you want to pitch a tent or rent one of our luxury caravans”.

 

Camping is good for us all no matter what age, it is the number one recreational activity and long may it reign.

 

For further information visit:  www.wooda.co.uk or you can check them out on Facebook to see what other campers have enjoyed during their recent visits, or follow them on Twitter.