Mumsnet promotes camping holidays

Influential website Mumsnet has thrown its weight behind family camping holidays in the UK, mumsnet.com reports.

Mumsnet, which gathers together forward thinking mothers has a formidable pedigree, weighing in on subjects from baking to politics. Now, the group has turned its attention to holidays, singling out camping in the British Isles as one of the best family getaways.

The Mumsnet website, which attracts nearly five million visitors a month, asked its users for their holiday preferences, with camping trips coming out on top.

When quizzed on why they preferred camping, many cited expense, with foreign holidays costing much more but not making it worth the extra. Others, meanwhile, noted a lack of flexibility when it came to booking package holidays for families, especially for single-parent households who cannot find breaks tailored to their numbers.

This is also said to be the case for larger families, who struggle to find the right number of rooms or ones in the right proportions to accommodate the family.

Head of communications at Mumsnet Katie O'Donovan told travelweekly.co.uk: "When you have children, everything changes. Whereas once you were happy to go trekking through the Peruvian jungle, now you just want something that will keep the kids happy and busy. As the family grows it's harder to find affordable accommodation."

Adding, O'Donovan explained what has made many turn away from travel agents and package deals.

"Travelling as a single parent can be really tough," she explained. "Travel companies operate on the assumption that you're not a single parent, which is very frustrating. Families want to know how they can enjoy their holiday without it being more hassle than staying at home."