History of The Camping and Caravanning Club

1901

The Club was founded in 1901 by Thomas Hiram Holding, who was considered to be the “father” of lightweight camping. Not only did Thomas enjoy camping, but he was also a keen cyclist, so from this arose ‘The Association of Cycle Campers’.

1902

Margaret Horsfield was the first lady to ever camp with the Club and part of the first married couple to join the Club. 

1906

The first issue of ‘Cycle Camping’, the Club’s first magazine, was published in the March. 

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 growing. This was the same year Robert Falcon Scott 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, available for members to book, opened at Walton-on-Thames.  The Club Site remains open today.

1916

Elizabeth Lynn was the first woman to be elected to the position ofas Chairman. This appointment took place when many men involved in the Club were serving in the armed forces during World War I.

1919

Lord Robert Baden-Powell was appointed President of the Club in the February. His experiences in the military led to him founding the Scout movement. In November of this year 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.

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.

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.

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.

1995

Joining the Club in 1969, Olive Reay was awarded an MBE for services to camping. Her titles included Club Chairman, President of Durham District Association and Vice-President of the Club.

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

Julia Bradbury was elected as the first female president of the Club.

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.

2019

Sabina Voysey made history as the first woman to be appointed Director General of the Club.

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.

2024

The Club launched a major rebrand to reflect its purpose of inspiring the camper in everyone and growing their passion for the outdoors.