BRITS have revealed their dream camping locations, including Loch Ness, Sherwood Forest and Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire.
A poll quizzed 2,000 adventure-loving campers on where they want to reconnect with nature, with Durdle Door in Dorset and the Brecon Beacons in Wales ranking highly among the idyllic locations.
Dartmoor National Park and The Needles on the Isle of Wight also make the top 10.
It also emerged 86 per cent of holiday makers are ‘eager’ to explore more of the UK.
Jose Finch, managing director of Cotswold Outdoor which carried out the research as part of its #ProjectRewild campaign to encourage more people to enjoy and reconnect with nature, said: “Watching the sun set and rise in these locations is a joy to behold and camping can often be the best way to enjoy them.
“Living in the UK, we’re treated to some amazing outdoor locations which can often be easy to forget.
“Hopefully this research reminds people of the amazing experiences that can be had on our doorstep, while thinking more about what they can do to preserve the beauty of the outdoors.
“We’ve all got a part to play in preservation of the great green spaces in this country and spending quality time outdoors can really drive home its importance.”
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The study also found those polled typically go on two camping trips a year.
And while 59 per cent admitted to being fair weather campers, nearly one in five go in all seasons.
Getting some fresh air, being close to nature and seeing the stars were the most loved things about camping, while it being a cheaper option was also enjoyed by 27 per cent.
A further 88 per cent reckon it’s important for people to get outdoors, have adventures and restore their connection with the natural world.
More than half also believe you can create longer lasting memories with a camping trip compared to a regular beach holiday or city break.
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TOP 30 DREAM CAMPING LOCATIONS ACCORDING TO BRITS
1. Loch Ness, Scotland
2. Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
3. Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire
4. Durdle Door, Dorset
5. Brecon Beacons, Wales
6. Waterside House Campsite, Lake District
7. Tarn Foot campsite, Lake District
8. Dartmoor National Park, Devon
9. The Needles, Isle of Wight
10. Pleasant Streams Farm, near St Austell, Cornwall
11. Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
12. St Agnes, Isles of Scilly
13. St Austell, Cornwall
14. At the foot of Ben Nevis, Scotland
15. Glenbrittle campsite, Isle of Skye
16. In the shadow of Stonehenge, Wiltshire
17. Trwyn Yr Wylfa, Snowdonia, Wales
18. In the grounds of Highclere Castle, Berkshire – AKA Downton Abbey
19. On top of Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
20. Croyde Beach, Devon
21. Barra, Outer Hebrides
22. Three Cliffs Bay in the Gower, Wales
23. Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides
24. Piel Island, Cumbria
25. Newgale, Pembrokeshire
26. Bon camping, Pembrokeshire
27. Duncansby Stacks, Scotland
28. Turner Hall Farm, Seathwaite, Cumbria
29. Hidden Valley Camping, Worcestershire
30. Lepe Beach, Hampshire
It also emerged these trips usually involve an increased amount of walking, with half reminded of how beautiful the outdoors can be.
Nearly three in 10 (29 per cent) use walking to connect with nature and 47 per cent claim long walks can improve their mental health.
As a result, 64 per cent take regular walks in their local area, while 38 per cent do so to keep fit and one in five enjoy the challenge of a long-distance trek.
Spending more time in nature reminds more than a quarter of the importance of protecting it, with 22 per cent saying climate change and environmental factors significantly impact their decisions when planning a holiday.
One in eight said rewilding, seeing land returned to its natural state, is vitally important to help them reconnect with nature.
But despite many being confident in reading a map, walking from one town to the next via the coast and reading a compass, 56 per cent wish they were more outdoorsy.
Improvements to physical health, connecting with nature and seeing more amazing views are the top reasons for wanting to spend more time outside.
However, confidence is lacking for four in 10 who sometimes find the thought of camping intimidating.
When it comes to outdoor gear, 68 per cent have appropriate attire for walking or hiking, though 36 per cent don’t own their own camping gear.
But 27 per cent have kit only suitable for better weather and 29 per cent have some that does the job but has seen better days according to the OnePoll data.
A quarter have been caught out by a ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ approach, although one in six buy the best to ensure it lasts.
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Jose Finch, from Cotswold Outdoor, added: “It’s important to get out there and enjoy what nature has to offer – having the right clothing, footwear and equipment will ensure the experience is not spoiled.
“You can so easily be caught out trying to save on outdoor kit in the hope it’ll last, but actually, by investing a little more you can end up saving in the long run because it is higher quality, more durable and therefore better for the environment.”
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