
Searches for van awnings skyrocket by 139% as shoppers seek a way to double camping space
Outdoor supply brand Trail may have just the thing for increasing your space and comfort on your next camping trip. Whether you're heading into the wilderness or spending the week at a campsite, this van awning could be your best friend for doubling the space without the need for large and expensive tents.
Trail report van holiday fans have discovered a simple trick that doubles the amount of camping space you have available. Fitting directly onto a van's side, they create a sheltered outdoor space that protects from sun or rain while offering extra room for dining, sleeping or relaxing. Searches for ' tent awnings ' are up 139% this past quarter, as more campers discover this practical upgrade.
With the continuing warm weather we're experiencing in the UK this summer, it's no wonder the rising temperatures have fuelled a rise in staycations and outdoor adventure sales. As cost-of-living pressures are driving a surge in DIY staycations, with camping searches and product sales soaring, Trail suggests Brits are opting for holidays at home to make the most of the sunshine.
TikTok searches for 'camping ideas' have surged by 638.4% this summer, while UK Google searches for ' camping ' have increased by 111% in the past quarter.
Since launching its latest awning collection, Trail has seen demand skyrocket. Between the 22nd and 28th of June, when temperatures reached 33°C, Trail reports a 332% rise in awning sales compared to the start of the month (3rd-7th June).
And this Holton Skylight Air Driveaway Awning is a top pick for increasing camping space without spending a fortune. Perfect for personalising your campsite on your next weekend getaway, this van awning boosts your space and comfort when you're touring and campervanning in the countryside. Perfect for using as an extension, this awning comes with pre-fitted air poles and a pump for fast, easy pitching. Plus, a driveaway kit to easily attach to your vehicle's awning rail.
This awning is made from extra-strong, high-density TRX21070D polyester fabric, making it ideal for all-year camping. It's also equipped with a 5000mm Hydrostatic Head and UPF50+ UV protection. Armed with full-roof PVC skylights that allow plenty of sunlight in for increased light and visibility, during the day, while also allowing a spot of stargazing at night. Zipped blinds allow you to fully or partially close them when needed, ensuring privacy and blocking out early morning light when you fancy a lie-in.
The awning is also tall enough to stand in and has ample space for a table and chairs. Whether you're using it as a living or dining area, it also contains clips to attach a bedroom pod (sold separately) and create a large sleeping space, so you can have the perfect amount of space to suit your camping needs.
This van awning is currently on offer for £382.49. For alternative models sold elsewhere, Amazon is offering this Kampa Trip AIR Driveaway Awning for £287.09, while Decathlon stocks this QUECHUA 6-person Pole awning for vans for £329.99.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scotsman
35 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Google Pixel 9 Pro now £679 in major Amazon price drop
The Pixel 9 Pro is one of the best flagship smartphones out there - and it's now an absolute bargain | Amazon This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. The Google Pixel 9 Pro is now available for £679 on Amazon – a major saving on a flagship phone that only launched last autumn. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Flagship smartphones are normally tricky to find for less than £1,000 - and that was the starting price for Google's Pixel 9 Pro, a handset that brought plenty of new buyers to the Pixel brand when it first started shipping in September last year. It moved the game on significantly from the relatively lacklustre Pixel 8, and the fabulous but flawed Pixel 7, and it set Google up as a serious contender in the hard-fought world of top-end telephones. Enough time has passed now, since its launch in the autumn, for the price to have taken a major tumble - but this week it's seen its biggest price drop yet. The Amazon deal is for the 128gb version, and only in Obsidian | Amazon It's now possible to pick one up for just £679, and that's for an unlocked, sim free handset, supplied by Google, and shipped through Amazon - so next-day delivery for Prime members. The Pixel 9 Pro is powered by the Tensor G4 chip and introduces Gemini Live, Google's next-gen AI assistant capable of real-time conversations and live translation. It features a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate, a triple rear camera system (including a 5x periscope zoom), and upgraded computational photography. The design is sleeker with a more refined camera bar, and it was one of the first phones to ship with Android 15 out of the box. It also supports seven years of updates, making it a future-proof flagship for Pixel fans. Amazon's limited-time 32% discount is on the 128gb version, and only in the Obsidian black colour. The other storage or colour options don't attract the same discount, so choose carefully at the checkout. We don't know how long this deal lasts, so if you're due an upgrade, or you've always fancied going sim free and saving a few quid every month, this might be a golden opportunity. Canva Is your surname a clue to Viking ancestry? Start tracing your Norse roots now £ 29.00 Buy now Buy now Think you're purely British? You might be surprised. Many people across the UK – especially in northern England, Scotland and coastal areas – still carry surnames with strong Viking origins, passed down from Norse settlers who didn't just raid, they stayed. Names like Gunn, Thoresen, Croft and Skene hint at a warrior past and a shared history stretching back over 1,000 years. We've listed 30 surnames with deep Viking links – check the full list in the article here. Want to take things further? MyHeritage DNA makes it easy to build your family tree and explore your ancestry. For just £33, you can uncover your genetic links to Scandinavia and the Viking age. Your surname might be just the beginning!


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
UK holidaymakers 'living like locals' want a more unique travel experience
A study of 2,000 adults found the vast majority try and 'live like a local' when abroad, with priorities now more focused on creating unique experiences rather than seeing the main sights UK holidaymakers are searching for better ways to have a more 'authentic' experience while on holiday, rather than relying on visits to popular tourist hotspots. Research shows more than three quarters of holidaymakers attempt to 'live like a local' when they go abroad as priorities shift towards creating more unique experiences. To do this, travellers are turning to locals for advice on dining recommendations to make sure they find the best options. They study shows travellers are also switching up their shopping habits, choosing to visit local grocery stores instead of familiar chains. Others are also choosing to cycle or walk rather than use public transport to better explore the area. Nearly half of British holidaymakers on the search for a more local experience enjoy exploring smaller towns and villages, or browsing neighbourhood markets to escape the usual tourist traps. It comes after sunbed wars see Brits forced to queue for 'over an hour' just to get to the pool. British man claimed 'I moved from UK to Benidorm – price of a pint and Full English left me floored' The study was commissioned by Skyscanner, which has developed a Road Trip Planner to assist travellers in uncovering local hidden treasures. Laura Lindsay, travel trends and destination expert for the brand, said: "There's something truly special about stepping off the tourist trail and embracing the pace, traditions, and tastes of local life. "Living like a local adds depth and colour to your holiday and creates a genuine connection with the destination. It's not just more rewarding - it's often more fun, too." The research suggests that holidaymakers strive to 'live like a local' not only for a more authentic experience – 35 per cent said it helps them find the best spots for food and drink – but also because they believe it's more respectful, with a third stating they enjoy supporting the local economy. Over four in 10 travellers are more inclined to try and 'live like a local' on holiday now than they were five years ago, possibly due to the influence of social media. Half of the holidaymakers surveyed said that social media has made it easier to discover hidden gems off the beaten path while on holiday. When venturing beyond typical tourist areas, two thirds said they were taken aback by how different a country or place felt. Levelling up their 'local experience' a quarter of holidaymakers have specifically chosen accommodation because it resembled somewhere a local resident would live. However, there are still certain obstacles prevent tourists from experiencing a true local lifestyle on their holidays. As expected, language barriers were a significant issue, followed by a lack of confidence or uncertainty about where to begin. Meanwhile, the survey revealed that discovering new foods and flavours is the top priority for travellers, although 36 per cent simply yearn for a few moments of tranquillity. To achieve this, 27 per cent prefer to hire a car for a more authentic local holiday experience, as it provides them with greater freedom to explore, be more independent and make spontaneous discoveries. Laura Lindsay, from Skyscanner, added: "Living like a local doesn't have to mean going completely off-grid - it's about making small, intentional choices that enrich your travel. "And best of all, it helps support the communities you visit, from independent businesses to artisans and family-run restaurants. It's a win for travellers and locals alike."


Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I'm a cleaner at a top UK holiday park – these are the worst things guests do that leave housekeeping raging
Plus, why caravan holidays are so underrated DIRTY SECRET I'm a cleaner at a top UK holiday park – these are the worst things guests do that leave housekeeping raging Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE summer holidays have finally arrived, which means millions of Brits are loading up the car ready for a traditional family break in a static caravan at one of the hundreds of UK holiday parks. However, much like the stereotypical lairy Brit abroad, sometimes we simply forget our manners when heading off on our hols, whether the final destination is Magaluf or Margate. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A holiday park caravan cleaner has shared what are the worst things you can leave behind in your caravan Credit: Alamy And it's the unsung heroes of the holiday parks - the cleaners - who have to pick up the pieces. I'm one of the anonymous army of housekeepers busy working behind the scenes to make sure your linen is fresh and your loo is sparkling, so you can enjoy a well-deserved rest. But in return for helping you to have the most relaxing break possible, a little consideration for your cleaner would go a long way. Working against the clock in a metal sweatbox, usually for a minimum wage, caravan cleaning is about as unglamorous as it gets - not many people would say their dream job involves picking another person's pubes out of a plughole. But there are a few little things you can do to make the whole experience more pleasant for your housekeeper. From poor bed-making etiquette to fridges full of leftover food, here are the top things that all caravan cleaners hate, how you can avoid them, and what happens if you don't. Leaving food behind Whether you are motivated by doing something nice for the next guests staying or you're just doing it out of sheer laziness, please don't leave food in the fridge, freezer or cupboards when you go home. Whether it's a half-used packet of cereal, an opened bottle of orange juice, or half a loaf of bread, it all goes straight in the bin. It hurts to have to chuck it, but there's no way I'd be drinking out of an open bottle left behind by some random stranger, and I wouldn't expect anyone else to either. If you do have something worth sharing, perhaps offer it to the person in the caravan next door; otherwise, just take it with you. All the passport rules you NEED to know now to stop your summer holidays being ruined or even cancelled Or if you really don't like food waste, perhaps don't go overboard in Lidl in the first place. Leaving half-used products behind While we are on the subject of leaving half-used stuff behind, don't do what one lady did and leave a half-bottle of Femfresh wash sitting in the shower. Nobody wants your second-hand foof soap. Unless it's washing up liquid or liquid soap in a dispenser, bin it or take it with you. Letting the kids run riot I get it, the kids are on holiday too, and everyone likes to let their hair down. I have two little ones myself, and I know how excited they get when they burst through those caravan doors for the first time. However, if you let your kids draw on the walls or furniture of your caravan, or leave sweet wrappers and drinks cans scattered all over the floor (when there are no less than four perfectly good bins in the caravan), then know that I am judging you, and judging you HARD. In short, if you wouldn't let your little darlings do it at home, why let them do it in someone else's place? 4 Whilst some guests might think it is nice to leave unused food in the fridge, it can be more work for cleaners Credit: Getty Making the beds before you check out It goes against everything we were taught when we were kids, but before you leave, please don't make the beds. Stripping them is far more helpful to the housekeeper. I would much rather walk into a van and find a mountain of tangled sheets, duvet covers, and pillow cases on the living room floor than four neatly made beds with hospital corners. It saves so much time. Besides, all bed linen is washed, bleached, ironed and changed between guests anyway - I can assure you that nobody wants to sleep in your dirty old sheets. Telling lies about the state of the caravan Thinking about pulling a fast one to try and claw back a bit of cash? Don't make false claims about the cleanliness or state of the caravan when you arrive. 4 And cleaners will know when you are making false claims about the cleanliness or state of the caravan (stock image) Credit: Getty We keep the receipts - every inch of the caravan is photographed and logged on our system after each clean, from the kitchen cupboards to the sofa bed. We will know if you are lying. We also know exactly how many plates, bowls, glasses, and mugs are in the cupboards. If you break one, just fess up - it does happen. Behaving like an absolute slob This shouldn't really need saying, but try not to behave like an animal. Leaving a pile of dirty dinner plates, not emptying used tampons out of the bathroom bin, dropping cigarette butts all over the decking, or leaving rubbish strewn over every available surface (use the bins, people!) is unacceptable behaviour. Ditto leaving dirty knickers on the floor, used razors in the shower, and fistfuls of used tissues stuffed down the sides of the sofa (shudder). And beware - if I have to go over my allotted two hours of cleaning per van because you left the place looking like a tip, expect a big fat extra cleaning fee to be added to your bill. When all is said and done, you should expect a good standard of cleanliness when staying at a holiday park. Whether you have booked a five-star lodge or a budget option, there is no excuse for grubby linen, dirty toilets or sticky kitchen worktops. If you aren't satisfied with the standard of cleaning, don't hesitate to contact the park or holiday lettings agency responsible. But at the same time, don't be the filthy heathen that we gossip about back at headquarters. Don't forget, if you leave something particularly gross behind, you may be slapped with a park ban. Rest assured, we won't be sad to see the back of you. Why caravan holidays are so underrated CARAVAN park holidays are a British staple. And with the cost of living crisis wreaking havoc on Britain's purses, more of us are turning to them for an affordable break. Josie O'Brien, Senior Digital Writer on Fabulous, weighs in on why she thinks caravan holidays are seriously underrated... WHEN I was a child, my mum used to collect the £9.50 holiday vouchers in The Sun. She'd use them to book a couple of nights away at a caravan park during the school holidays. As an adult, I fully appreciate the convenience of a humble caravan holiday. No faffing about with passports, no luggage limits and no bog-standard hotel breakfast of stale toast and grey eggs. I still love caravan holidays as an adult. In a world of doing everything for the 'gram, a caravan park brings you back to basics. There's no obligation to get dressed up, no stress to fit a million picturesque excursions in one week and I don't find myself flustered in tourist hot spots like abroad. I love going to coastal caravan parks and strolling along the beach parade. My highlight is always fresh mussels, ice-creams and classic pubs to grab an afternoon tipple in. And then, of course, there's the cost. Staying in a caravan is definitely way cheaper than my international trips. With no expensive hotel bills and the ability to cook my own meals, I'm spending hundreds less than I would abroad. I've had some of my best and most relaxing holidays in caravans. Maybe I'll buy my own one day. The UK's biggest holiday park is right on the beach with thousands of caravans, indoor pools and cheap stays. Plus, the UK hotel with stunning views of the Northern Lights and it even comes with an in-house astronomer.