The advantages of camping without kids
The bliss of adults-only breaks
Are you desperately seeking a holiday where you won’t have to worry about entertaining the kids? Or perhaps just one of the growing number of travellers who prefer trips in the company of like-minded people? Whether you’ve yet to head on your first adults-only break or are on the look-out for a new site, read this guide to Pitchup's child-free spots to help you sketch out a plan for your next adventure.
The sweet, sweet sound of silence
Kids who have come across this page may be puzzled about why anyone would want to be away from them for prolonged periods of time. Parents, carers and teachers, however, may already have a few ideas about why adults-only breaks are the way forward…
First, while family-friendly sites are subject to the ebb and flow of the school holidays, most adults-only sites remain steadily peaceful all year round. Although you can expect to have more neighbours in the height of summer than at off-peak times, choosing an adults-only park is a sure-fire guarantee that you won’t have an unexpected influx of kids halfway through your holiday.
Facilities and leisure to suit you
As well as being quieter than your average family-friendly site, adults-only parks have facilities that are better tailored to their guests. While kids’ clubs, playgrounds and waterslides are all excellent for families, kid-free parties may – quite fairly – feel they are subsidising amenities that bring them no benefit.
And then there are those facilities that are only ever improved by the absence of small guests: think hot tubs, saunas, and outdoor pools. After all, spa getaways are always that little bit more romantic when there’s no risk of being dive-bombed by a nine-year-old.
Top tips for a smooth trip
What is adults-only camping?
One question that comes up over and over again is about the definition of adults-only camping.
As a general rule, adults-only campsites will welcome guests over the age of 18, but some only admit guests who have reached another age (e.g. 21).
Most also don’t allow visitors under a certain age (i.e., people visiting the site for a few hours rather than overnight guests), but there are some exceptions.
Finally, for seniors looking for some serious peace and quiet, Pitchup has a smaller collection of sites specially designed for guests over 40, 50 or 60.
Just have a quick read of the terms and conditions before booking if any of the above are relevant to you.
Adults-only etiquette
Kid-free camping is a low-key experience on the whole, so blaring music and all-night parties are definitely out.
That’s not to say that there’s no scope for socialising at adults-only spots, but if you have neighbours close by it might be worth letting them know if you’re planning a little get-together with family or friends.
Find a place to stay
Once a niche camping category, adults-only breaks have become more and more popular in recent years, meaning there’s an ever-growing range of kid-free parks to choose from.
What are my options?
There are many well-established adults-only touring sites out there for guests in campervans, motorhomes or caravans looking for well-maintained facilities and top-quality pitches. If you like to combine the privacy of sleeping in your vehicle with equally secluded times in the open air, have a look at our range of adults-only touring sites with on-site fishing opportunities.
Adults-only glamping is also having something of a moment – definitely one worth investigating if you’re looking for a luxurious and/or romantic break.
Finally, for authentically rural stays, you might like to consider adults-only farm sites. Many of these don’t allow kids because the farmers already have a full-time job looking after the land (suffice it to say that retrieving kites from trees and balls from ponds isn’t at the top of their to-do list). If you’re a farmer and interested in running a low-hassle holiday spot, read our guide on how to set up a campsite.
Find exactly what you want
Need something a bit more specific like an adults-only site with electricity or a dog-friendly pitch? Use our tick-box filters to mix and match themes, features and facilities to find an outdoor break that’s right for you.
