Cycling through the countryside, I felt like I was following in the footsteps of Britain's camping pioneers. The Camping and Caravanning Club, which turns 125 this year, has a rich history that goes back to the early 1900s. The story begins with Thomas Hiram Holding, a keen camper who, along with his friend Rev EC Pitt-Johnson, founded the Association of Cycle Campers in Oxford in 1901. Holding's vision was to popularize camping and cycling, and he invented many pieces of camping gear, from lightweight tents to cycle touring bags. His passion for cycling and camping was infectious, and he even wrote a book called 'Cycle and Camp' in 1897, which inspired others to follow in his footsteps.
I decided to retrace Holding's path, starting from Oxford and heading to Walton-on-Thames, where the club's oldest campsite is located. The journey was an adventure, taking me through quiet roads, old railway tracks, and even a ferry crossing over the Thames. Along the way, I encountered friendly locals who were curious about my e-bike and my choice of accommodation - a humble tent.
One of the highlights of my trip was staying at Bella Vista Camping in Radnage, a family-run site that sits on the Chiltern Cycleway. The site still welcomes tents, and I enjoyed a quiet night's sleep while my bike battery charged. The next day, I ventured out to Walton-on-Thames, where I was amazed to discover that the campsite has been rerouted so that it no longer sweeps by the pitches. It was a stark reminder of how much things have changed in 125 years.
Despite the changes, the spirit of adventure and exploration remains the same. Holding's vision of cycle camping has helped popularize camping, and the Camping and Caravanning Club's membership reflects this, having grown from its initial 150 to over 300,000 households. Though cycling is now a minority pursuit, I believe that within the secret passageways of towns and cities, there are still those of us who realize that the best journeys are still powered by pedals and curiosity.
In my opinion, the Camping and Caravanning Club's history is a testament to the enduring appeal of camping and cycling. It's a story of innovation, adventure, and the power of human curiosity. As I pedaled through the countryside, I felt a sense of connection to the past, and I knew that the spirit of cycle camping would continue to thrive for generations to come.
