Discover The History of The Camping and Caravanning Club
The Camping & Caravanning Club Logo
Join the ClubLogin
Travel Abroad
Become a Member
Advice and Inspiration
Magazine
Men camping

The History of Camping with the Camping and Caravanning Club

Founded in 1901, the Camping and Caravanning Club is one of the oldest camping clubs in the UK. What started with six friends enjoying the beautiful British outdoors has grown into a club of over 730,000 members and counting in the space of 120+ years. We’ve seen numerous developments over the decades within the Club and the camping world. Take a moment to travel back in time and dive into our Club's history with this camping timeline.

1901

The Club was founded in 1901 by Thomas Hiram Holding, who was considered to be the “father” of lightweight camping. His love for camping began in 1853, when he travelled across America with his parents, as part of a wagon train. Not only did Thomas enjoy camping, but he was also a keen cyclist, so from this arose ‘The Association of Cycle Campers’.

March 1906

The first issue of ‘Cycle Camping’ was published. This was the Club's first magazine which encouraged members to communicate with one another and share camping ideas, advice, tours and events.

1909

The name of the Club changed from ‘The Association of Cycle Campers’ to ‘The Amateur Camping Club’. There were 602 members at the time but the Club was slowly growing.

1909

In addition to a change in name, the Club also founded a supplies department that provided lightweight camping equipment to members.

1909

Robert Falcon Scott, a naval officer before he began his polar exploration, became president of the Club. Unfortunately, a year later, Scott went on a trip to the South Pole, where he and his team were caught in fearsome weather conditions on the return trip and never returned to base. Club lore says he took a Club pennon on the journey.

1913

The Club's first permanent Club Site opened at Walton-on-Thames, and it was available to book for members. The Club Site still remains open today with over 110 years' worth of camping memories.

February 1919

Lord Robert Baden-Powell was appointed president of the Club. His experiences in the military led to him founding the Scout movement, with the first meeting held on Brownsea Island, Dorset, in 1907.

In 1908, he published a best-selling book, ‘Scouting for Boys’, and in 1910, he and his sister formed The Girl Guide and Girl Scout organisations.

November 1919

The name of the Club changed again to ‘The Camping Club of Great Britain and Ireland’.

1933

The first Federation of International Camping and Caravanning (FICC) Rally was hosted by the Club at Hampton Court Park. The FICC strives to promote camping and caravanning as a sustainable leisure activity enjoyed worldwide.

1947

Club members voted in a Special General Meeting for the Club to become incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee. As part of this, the Articles of Association were created, and they’re still used to this day. Due to the Club becoming a Limited company, the name was changed to The Camping Club of Great Britain and Ireland Ltd.

1950

Mr Stephen Hilhouse became Club President. He was the first president to be elected from one of the Club’s members. Prior to becoming president of the Club, he was the first Club Honorary Treasurer, elected Chairman of the Council and elected Club Chairman.

1957

The Club was recognised as an ‘Assisting Organisation’ when the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme was founded. This scheme was put in place by the late Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, who wanted to support young people's development by encouraging them to participate in activities that fostered personal growth, leadership skills, and a sense of adventure.

1960

Mr J. A. C. Champion O.B.E was elected as the new president of the Club. He joined the Club in 1922, and was an active international camper. In 1931, he was elected Club Chairman before becoming Club President. ‘Champ’ made significant contributions to the Club and the international development of camping and caravanning. He also contributed to the formation of the FICC.

1971

Mr Donald Dewey became the next elected Club President. He was an active camper and caravanner who made significant contributions to the Club and the development of caravanning. He joined the Club as a lightweight camper in 1929, was elected Club Chairman in 1958, and became Club President in 1971.

1981

In 1981, Sir John Cripps C.B.E., an advocate for the British outdoors who was involved in many countryside groups, became Club President. Cripps was a lifelong tent camper and served with the Nature Conservancy Council for the Protection of Rural England, The Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council and the South-East Economic Planning Council.

1983

Due to the evolution of caravans, the Club aimed to be more inclusive and changed its name to ‘The Camping and Caravanning Club Ltd’.

1990

The Club's head office moved from London to Westwood Business Park in Coventry.

1992

Lord Robert Baden-Powell - the grandson of Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scout movement and previous Club President - became the new Club President in 1992. He was the Chief Scout Commissioner and was involved in The Scout Association. He loved spending time outdoors and particularly enjoyed fishing, beekeeping, and gardening.

1999

The Club’s website was first launched, and people could access up-to-date news on campsites and explore what the Club offered.

2000

The Club’s Holiday Homes first launched.

2001

The Club launched National Camping Week (now known as National Camping and Caravanning Week) to influence the public to go camping and enjoy the Great British outdoors.

2002

Conservationist and environmental campaigner Professor David Bellamy O.B.E. became the new Club President. He was an outdoor enthusiast and the president of many conservation associations, including the British Holiday and Home Parks Association. Bellamy actively promoted countryside conservation through his David Bellamy Conservation Awards. Here, businesses and campsites taking the pledge would commit to protecting, improving and creating wildlife habitats and green spaces.

2005

The Club outgrew its office and moved to a new, purpose-built office at a three-and-a-half acre site on Westwood Business Park in Coventry, less than a quarter-of-a-mile from the previous office.

2013

Elected as the first female president of the Club, Julia Bradbury is a well-known TV presenter, author, and nature advocate. She turned her passion for walking in the outdoors into hit TV shows such as Britain’s Best Walks, Cornwall and Devon Walks with Julia Bradbury, and Wainwright’s Walks in the Lake District.

“I’ve always been a keen advocate of the outdoor lifestyle ever since my dad took me out walking in the Peak District after school and at weekends. Camping and caravanning is a priceless chance to get closer to nature and back in touch with who you really are.” – Julia Bradbury.

2014

The Camping and Caravanning Club's online membership was launched in April 2014. Members would pay a lower fee to access a digital copy of the magazine and book online.

2022

The Club hosted its first-ever Torchlight Festival in August 2022 at Walesby Forest in Nottinghamshire. More than 4,500 people attended the iconic festival, where they met like-minded campers, enjoyed live entertainment, ate tasty food, and participated in numerous activities.

2023

Wildlife cameraman, author and broadcaster Hamza Yassin became the 12th Club President. Hamza, a regular tent camper, loves spending time in the beautiful British countryside and inspiring future generations to take on outdoor adventures.

“I’m really delighted to have been appointed president of The Camping and Caravanning Club and to follow in the footsteps of so many accomplished individuals. We share the same passion for inspiring people to actively enjoy – and help look after – the natural world. Camping puts us right on the doorstep of the countryside and gives us a unique gateway to exploring our incredible outdoor spaces.” – Hamza Yassin.

2024

The Club launched a major rebrand to reflect its purpose of inspiring the camper in everyone and growing their passion for the outdoors. The rebrand included new Club Site signage, as shown in the image of Nottingham Club Site, a new addition to the Club network that opened to campers in June 2024.

More information for new campers

The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Camping in the UK

Find out more.

Camping Equipment

Find out more.

Camping Essentials Checklist

Whether it’s your first camping trip or you’re an old-timer, use this camping checklist as a guide when you pack for your trip away.

Beautiful camping locations in the UK

Lake District

View all of our campsites in the Lake District

Wales

View all of our campsites in Wales

Northumberland

View all of our campsites in Northumberland

Cornwall

View all of our campsites in Cornwall

Peak District

View all of our campsites in the Peak District

Scotland

View all of our campsites in Scotland

Things to do while camping in the UK

Best English Heritage Sites Near You

Find out more.

Best Stargazing Locations in the UK

Find out more.

20 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to Visit

Find out more.

Birdwatching on Our Campsites

Find out more.

Foraging in the UK

Find out more.

10 Best Hikes in the UK

Find out more.