Camper vans - part of the retro revivalGlastonbury might be off this year’s calendar but from sport to music, literature and food, there are festivals and events across the UK offering an eclectic range of attractions.
The phenomenal success of these events has helped shape the new landscape of British holidays and the growing popularity of 'staycations' and short breaks.
Not all the young dudes
Once the preserve of teenagers, apparently immune to bad weather and discomfort, it’s now estimated that over one in six people attending music festivals this summer are over 45 (and that’s not counting the performers!)
Music festivals have moved on dramatically since Glastonbury began on a West Country farm more than thirty years ago.
Then it was generally considered a more sacred event that only the young and die-hard would want to attend, but year by year as commercial influence crept in, tickets were sold out in minutes and the audience profile changed dramatically.
A diary fixture for millions
Similar experiences were shared at other major festivals including Reading, Leeds, 'Virgin', Isle of Wight and many more and by the turn of the century it was estimated that nearly two million people a year were spending at least one weekend of their summer at a Great British event. Sales of wellington boots soared, fashion pages devoted to what to wear at festivals flourished and a whole new 'season' was established.
As the public invested in their camping equipment to ensure comfort for the weekend, it’s no shock that many of us decided to utilise our purchases throughout the year on other short holidays. Suddenly camping became 'glamping'.
Hooked on camping
A new generation of motorhome owners, caravan towers and campers who evolved from nothing more than a weekend spent in a dome tent at a rainy music festival. Some have gone further afield and joined the growing numbers who head off to Europe and beyond, equipped with sports and hobby equipment for longer adventures.
The golden age of camping remains the 70's, and with that a resurgence in retro equipment has appeared on the market alongside gadgets and gizmos that ensure you can spend your holiday in relative luxury. Drive away awnings for motorhome users, pull out canopies for caravanners and even pop up tents for the lazy camper of today.
Pubs, pets and people
Independence and freedom along with home comforts make this style of self-catering very attractive to families, across the generations and of course, you can even take the dog!
Trundling lazily down country lanes, exploring an unknown village to find the perfect pub or enjoying a barbecue at your site with the delicious bounty you claimed at the local butcher or farmers' market.
What ever is your favourite part there's no doubt that children, parents and grandparents are falling in love with a uniquely British pastime, creating memories and securing future generations of ‘glampers’.