When I started Campsites & Lodges, the goal wasn’t to compete with anyone. In fact, the whole idea came from being a campervan owner who was struggling to find the right places to stay.
Like many people, I’d spend hours searching different camping websites, Facebook groups, Google Maps listings and campsite pages. Sometimes I’d discover a fantastic site through a recommendation from a friend, only to find it wasn’t listed on the major camping directories at all.
That got me thinking. How many great campsites are being missed simply because people don’t know they exist?
Thousands of Independent Campsites Across the UK
The UK has thousands of campsites, caravan parks and holiday parks.
Many are part of larger groups or organisations, but a huge number are independently owned and operated by families, farmers and small businesses.
Some have excellent websites.
Some only have a Facebook page.
Some still take bookings mainly by phone.
And some rely heavily on repeat visitors and word-of-mouth recommendations.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
However, it does mean that potential visitors may never discover some genuinely fantastic places to stay.
Being Found Is Becoming More Difficult
Today’s campers have more choice than ever before. Families, couples, motorhome owners and campervan travellers often begin their search online.
They might be looking for:
- Campsites near beaches
- Dog-friendly campsites
- Campsites with hot tubs
- Holiday parks with touring pitches
- Adult-only sites
- Family-friendly parks
If a campsite isn’t visible when people are searching for those features, it can easily be overlooked. That’s true even if it’s one of the best sites in the area.
Why We List Independent Campsites
The purpose of Campsites & Lodges is simple. We want to help campers find more places to stay.
The more campsites that are included, the more useful the directory becomes for everyone. A complete directory benefits:
- Campers looking for somewhere new to stay
- Independent campsite owners seeking visibility
- Holiday parks wanting to showcase their facilities
- Local tourism and rural businesses
The aim is not to replace a campsite’s own website or Facebook page. The aim is to help people discover it.
What Happens When You Claim Your Listing?
Every campsite can have a basic listing. However, claimed and verified listings allow owners to add more information.
This can include:
- A description of the site
- Images
- Facilities and features
- Contact information
- Website links
- Booking information
This helps ensure visitors see accurate information directly from the campsite owner.
What If My Campsite Doesn’t Have a Website?
Many excellent campsites don’t have a dedicated website. Some operate successfully using only Facebook, email or telephone bookings.
That’s completely fine. In fact, these are often the sites that benefit most from being listed. A directory listing can help campers discover the site while still directing enquiries through the owner’s preferred contact method.
A Community Project
One thing I’ve learned since launching Campsites & Lodges is that campers love recommending places they’ve enjoyed. Many of the listings on the site have come from community recommendations. People genuinely want to help others discover great campsites. That’s exactly the type of community we’re trying to build.
How You Can Help
If you own a campsite, holiday park or touring site, we’d love to include you. If you’re a camper and know a great site that deserves more attention, we’d love to hear about that too. The more sites we can add, the easier it becomes for people to find their next camping adventure.
Whether it’s a large holiday park, a family-run campsite, a farm site or a small CL or CS, every campsite has something unique to offer. Every campsite deserves the opportunity to be discovered.