Staycation September boom: Bookings for UK camping trips see record-breaking surge ahead of rising temperatures

• Pitchup.com records best September ever for bookings as temperatures are set to hit the mid-20s across parts of the UK
•  It follows Pitchup.com's analysis of over 300,000 recent bookings which found 25°C is the optimum temperature for camping 
• For those looking to make the most of the sunshine, the outdoor accommodation website shares top sites in the areas set to see the best weather

As weather maps show temperatures set to reach the mid-20s across parts of England this week, Pitchup.com has announced bookings are up 42% in the week to 17th September, and up 19% so far this month - making it the best September on record for the outdoor accommodation site. 

Google search interest supports this trend, with searches for “late September heatwave” up 100% and “UK camping holidays” up 160% in the past week.* The uplift also follows a difficult few weeks for UK air travel, after a technical fault at air traffic control provider NATS grounded thousands of flights and caused knock-on delays and cancellations for days afterwards. 

Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, commented: "Warm, dry weather is giving campers a welcome extension to the summer, and our data shows September has delivered some of the best late-season conditions on record. We're seeing bookings continue to climb as a result, with 19% more trips booked this September compared to last year."

Why 25 degrees is the sweet spot for happy campers

After a summer that saw heatwaves push past 35°C, temperatures easing back into the low-to-mid 20s make for far more comfortable camping conditions. Pitchup.com's analysis of over 300,000 recent bookings revealed that 25°C is the optimum temperature for those seeking a camping holiday in the sun. 

Demand climbs steadily up to this point, but once it rises above 25°C, bookings decline by an average of 4.3% for every additional degree. The tipping point varies slightly across the UK, with Scotland recording a lower threshold, while bookings in London begin to fall at around 27°C, compared with the UK average of 25°C.

Where to stay for the best weather

For those looking to make the most of the final summer sun, Pitchup.com has rounded up the top destinations expected to reach the mid-20s this week, with sunshine set to continue through to the weekend.**

Surrey

With Surrey set to peak at 24°C this week and reach 21°C over the weekend, Glamping Holiday in Alfold makes for a fitting summer escape. Its bell tents and yurts sit in open Surrey countryside with a games field for the kids, from £130 a night for two. 

Kent

With Kent also expected to reach 24°C, Pitchup.com recommends Go Glamp near Headcorn which has a range of bell tents, yurts and shepherd's huts spread across five acres of the Weald. Guests can hear lions roar from the neighbouring Big Cat Sanctuary at dusk, from £25 a night for two.

Essex

For a sunny weekend in Essex, Hill Farm Camping near Great Bardfield gives families plenty to do, with alpacas, emus and kangaroos roaming an 18 acre farm alongside archery and zip lines. Travellers can book from Thursday, from £50 a night. 

Cambridgeshire

The Fens around March are forecast for 23°C, with clear skies towards the end of the week. Big Skies Camping and Glamping is the perfect place to enjoy both, with nine acres of open grass pitches under some of the darkest skies in the country, from £17.50 a night for two.

Hampshire

With temperatures set to peak mid-week and Saturday and Sunday set to enjoy a comfortable 20-21°C, it’s still warm enough for a final camping trip to Hampshire. Ashurst Caravan and Camping Site in the heart of the New Forest offers pitches in the woodland where the New Forest's free-roaming ponies wander through, from £28.75 a night for two. 

Ends

Editors notes

Methodology: 

*Google Trends data was collected looking at UK Google searches for “Late September heatwave” (+100%) and “UK camping holidays” (+160%) in the past week compared to the previous. Data is correct as of 17/09/2026. 

**Weather temperatures recorded by the Met Office 21/09/26.

About Pitchup.com 

Founded in 2009 by former lastminute.com executive Dan Yates, multi-award-winning Pitchup.com lists 5,648 outdoor accommodation locations across 67 countries, including an average of 3,649 live UK sites. The platform attracts 38 million annual visitors and has handled more than £530 million worth of bookings since launch. 

Pitchup.com enables users to search and book everything from major holiday parks to unique off-grid camping and glamping stays. Awards include the Financial Times’ FT1000 list of Europe’s fastest-growing companies, Europe’s Long-Term Growth Champion 2025, and Feefo’s Platinum Trusted Service Award for five consecutive years. 

In 2026, Pitchup.com was ranked among the world’s top 50 largest Online Travel Agents. 

www.pitchup.com