Pitchup.com, the UK-based global booking platform for outdoor accommodations, experienced its busiest month ever in July 2025, processing a booking every two seconds at its peak.
According to a press release, the platform saw over 15,000 bookings during the weekend of July 26-27 alone, the highest weekend total in its 15-year history.
Over the course of that record-breaking weekend, Pitchup.com processed 15,242 bookings, representing nearly 40,000 travelers based on an average of 2.6 people per booking.
The company also recorded five consecutive days of high-volume activity.
Sunday, July 6 saw 8,076 bookings, while Tuesday, July 8 tallied 8,039 bookings; double the volume recorded on the same day in 2024. Wednesday, July 9 followed closely with 7,917 bookings, and Thursday, July 10 registered 7,778.
The surge culminated on Sunday, July 27 with 8,146 bookings in a single day.
The booking velocity across these peak days equated to approximately one reservation every two seconds.
Consumer Trends: Shorter, Closer, Later
Pitchup’s July data underscored three major consumer behavior shifts: shorter stays, travel closer to home, and more last-minute bookings.
The average stay length was 2.3 nights, representing a 2.4 percent decrease from the same period last year.
More than one-third of guests, specifically 37 percent, booked stays of just one night.
In terms of booking lead time, the average span between booking and arrival fell to 15 days, a 2 percent decline year-over-year.
Notably, 10 percent of all bookings in July were made after 6 p.m. on the day of arrival, signaling a growing demand for spontaneous, same-day reservations.
Regional Highlights in the UK
Campgrounds located near densely populated areas experienced the most significant growth in July.
The West Midlands saw a 174 percent increase in booking value compared to July 2024, while Bedfordshire recorded a 91 percent rise.
Meanwhile, West Wales stood out as the most value-oriented region, with an average nightly rate of £46.60 for two adults across all pitch types.
In terms of individual campground offerings, Lleithyr Farm Holiday Park provides grass pitches starting at £20 per night.
The site appealed particularly to families with young children, thanks to its on-site farm park and adventure play area.
For families with older children or teens, Llys-y-frân Lakeview Campsite offers a variety of outdoor activities, including archery, fishing, axe-throwing, bike hire, and mountain biking trails, with prices beginning at £23 per night.
Travelers seeking convenience and affordability could opt for The Begelly Arms, a pub-based campsite offering motorhome pitches for £15 per night, along with access to home-cooked meals and drinks just steps away.
Looking Ahead
Despite July’s record-breaking booking activity, Pitchup.com noted that over 350,000 pitch-nights remain available across the UK for the week of August 3-10.
However, as demand surged, many sites were beginning to sell out, particularly those leading into the August Bank Holiday weekend.
The July 2025 data from Pitchup.com highlights a rise in consumer interest for outdoor holidays, fueled by shorter planning windows and demand for affordable, accessible accommodations.
For campground and holiday park operators, these insights point to continuing opportunities to attract last-minute travelers, especially by optimizing flexible inventory and ensuring visibility through mobile-friendly booking platforms.