August closed as another record-breaking month for outdoor accommodation, with the late August bank holiday weekend becoming the busiest camping period ever recorded, according to data from Pitchup.com.
On Saturday (Aug. 23), 132,804 people were away on trips booked through Pitchup, a 15% increase from the same weekend in 2024, when 115,192 campers were recorded.
The strong performance comes during a summer marked by sustained warm and dry weather across the UK, fueling demand for short outdoor getaways.
Pitchup, the UK’s search and booking site for campsites and glamping, reported that activity in August reached new highs across multiple metrics.
A separate record was set earlier in the month, when 9,173 bookings were made on Tuesday (Aug. 12) representing approximately 24,000 people.
That milestone marked the 26th time in 2025 that Pitchup’s single-day booking record has been surpassed. By comparison, the busiest day in 2024 was July 31, when 7,657 bookings were recorded.
Pitchup noted that late bookings continue to shape consumer behavior. Half of all reservations in August were made for travel within nine days, with 6% placed after 1 p.m. for same-day arrival.
Regionally, the West Midlands saw the most significant growth in booking value, with a 94% increase compared with the same month in 2024. The area’s proximity to major urban centers and venues such as the NEC contributed to the demand, with visitors opting for options ranging from glamping in walled gardens to campsites within short travel distances.
Wrexham and Lanarkshire also experienced strong increases in booking value, rising 83% and 75% respectively. Surrey and Carmarthenshire followed closely, each reporting growth of 67%.
Affordability also played a role in continued demand for West Wales, which recorded the lowest average nightly price across the UK at £43.38 for two adults, inclusive of all accommodation types such as camping pitches, touring pitches, and glamping units.
Internationally, Hungary emerged as the fastest-growing destination country on the platform, with booking value up 121% compared with last year.
Sites near Lake Balaton, west of Budapest, attracted particular interest among campers seeking watersports, lakeside access, and natural scenery.
Customer feedback highlighted the appeal of these locations. Campers at Balatontourist Camping Napfény described the site as “so beautiful and the campsite with everything around it is a dream.”
With nightly rates starting at £20 for two adults, Hungary’s value offering added to its momentum among international travelers.
Since launching in 2009, Pitchup has booked more than 43 million bed nights across 67 countries. The platform now receives 63 million annual visits globally.
Featured image by Pitchup.com