Farms that have diversified into caravan and camping sites are having a bumper summer this year, new figures reveal.

Data from leading online booking site Pitchup.com shows a whopping 54% increase in the number of people who stayed on a working farm over the May bank holiday weekend this year compared to last.

The figures also reveal a 336% increase in the use of the ‘farm’ filter on Pitchup.com compared to last year, as thousands more holidaymakers flock to the British farms to escape the rat race and enjoy a slice of rural life.

Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, said the figures confirm that growth in the agritourism sector is outstripping that of other types of domestic holidays.

He said: “Seeing a 54% increase in bookings for farm-based caravan and camping sites tells a fantastic story.

“It says people love staying on working farms and will return again and again, and that the word is spreading and agritourism is growing.

“Tourism benefits the farmers who run the sites, many of whom would be struggling otherwise; it helps people understand and appreciate the role farmers play, and it helps make our rural communities more sustainable.

“Being from a rural community myself, it’s incredibly satisfying to see the sector continue to grow.”

Dan added that the reasons behind agritourism’s success were many, including the popularity of shows such as Clarkson’s Farm, a renewed interest in what the UK has to offer as a holiday destination, the cost of living, and the weather.

“There’s no doubt the hotter summers we’ve been having have played a part in the popularity of camping in the countryside,” he said.

“People love to get away and enjoy the peace and quiet, and get closer to nature.

“But it is more than that. Ever since COVID, people have been rediscovering the beauty of the British Isles, and farms are perfectly positioned for people wanting to get off the beaten track, rather than stay in the busy tourist hotspots.

“Couple this with the fact that most working farms charge very affordable rates, and you’ve got a winning combination: great weather, beautiful surroundings, a chance to learn a bit more about farming and where food comes from, all at an affordable price.

“Those are the reasons staying on a working farm is proving to be so popular.”

One farm that has firsthand experience of the rising demand is Greencarts near Hexham in Northumberland.

Jean Newton, from Greencarts Farm, runs a beef, lamb and arable farm alongside the campsite, which has been a hub for Hadrian’s Wall walkers for 25 years. 

She said: “The campsite is vital to us, every farm needs to diversify to survive now unfortunately. There’s just not enough money in the farming for us any more, especially considering the amount of work involved, so working with Pitchup.com has been a lifeline for us.

“We’ve seen a big upturn since Covid. Camping has definitely become more popular and this year continues to be really successful. People seem to enjoy getting back to basics, being part of nature and connecting with farming.”

Fred Rogers, who owns and runs the Upper Farm Caravan Site in Shropshire, has been welcoming tourists for more than 50 years.

He explains: “This year we’ve been booked out every weekend and pretty full during the weeks. It's much more popular than we’ve seen in the past few years.

“It’s massive to be getting bookings like this and to have something that is making money. The farm ticks along but this makes sure we actually get some income.”