Latest news with #Lexrope
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Solo camping survival: expert tips to keep you safe and sound
Outdoor safety specialist shares the top rule that helps protect campers from attacks and theft. Image: Pexels. As more people seek solace in the great outdoors, a growing trend has emerged: solo camping. The appeal of setting out on personal adventures, disconnected from daily stress, allows travellers to embrace the freedom of exploring nature at their own pace. However, with this freedom comes a hidden danger that many overlook. "The biggest mistake I see solo campers making isn't the gear they bring or their weather preparation. It's what they post online while they're out there alone," warns camping expert Andy Halliday from Lexrope, an outdoor gear specialist. The rise of solo camping Solo camping has surged in popularity, particularly as people seek authentic outdoor experiences without needing to coordinate with others. "I've seen a massive increase in solo camping gear sales. They want that genuine experience while maintaining autonomy over their itinerary," explains Halliday. However, with this independence comes a unique risk that group campers typically don't face. Halliday's expert advice could make all the difference for those venturing out alone. Solo camping has surged in popularity, particularly as people seek authentic outdoor experiences without needing to coordinate with others. Image: Pexels. Halliday's advice is a vital safety rule: never share your location or activities on social media while you're still there. This means no Instagram stories from your campsite, no Facebook check-ins at scenic lookouts, and absolutely no Snapchat updates showing your exact whereabouts. "When you post a photo tagged at a specific location while you're still there, you're essentially broadcasting that you're alone and vulnerable. It's like putting up a sign saying 'one person, isolated location, come and find me'," says Halliday. This habit can indirectly attract unwanted attention and pose significant safety risks. Real-time posting not only exposes solo campers to potential theft or unwanted visitors but can also create a digital footprint that can follow them back to their homes, leading to further risk. Halliday shares that many solo travellers are unaware of the dangers associated with sharing their location online However, you don't have to abandon sharing your adventures. Instead, adopt safer practices. Halliday suggests: Wait until you're home: Post your stunning outdoor photographs after your return, allowing you to share your experience safely. Post your stunning outdoor photographs after your return, allowing you to share your experience safely. Remove location data: Disable geotagging on your phone's camera settings, as often photos include automatic GPS coordinates. Disable geotagging on your phone's camera settings, as often photos include automatic GPS coordinates. Be vague about timing: Instead of providing specific updates, generalise by saying "had a great time last weekend" rather than announcing your current location. Post your stunning outdoor photographs after you return home. Image: Pexels. Additional solo camping safety tips Beyond social media awareness, Halliday suggests further safety measures: Share your plans: Inform a trusted friend about your itinerary and expected return. Inform a trusted friend about your itinerary and expected return. Pack emergency communication: Carry a whistle, consider a personal locator beacon for remote areas and ensure your phone has offline maps downloaded. Carry a whistle, consider a personal locator beacon for remote areas and ensure your phone has offline maps downloaded. Trust your instincts: If a location or person feels off, leave immediately. Your gut feeling is invaluable when it comes to safety. If a location or person feels off, leave immediately. Your gut feeling is invaluable when it comes to safety. Stay connected safely: Use your phone's emergency features while keeping location services off for social apps. Sharing your adventures can be done safely without compromising your well-being, allowing you to inspire others while ensuring your own safety. "The best adventure photos often come from reflecting on the experience anyway," Halliday notes.
Wales Online
26-04-2025
- Wales Online
Holiday park in North Wales on UK list of most popular camping destinations
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The weather is warming up and peak camping season is fast approaching. It is expected to be a good year for staycations and the early weather has been promising. This has seen Lexrope draw up a list of the 10 best camping spots in Britain. The team analysed hundreds of campsites across the UK to determine which locations are the most popular among campers. Their research combined four key metrics: average monthly search volume, number of reviews on average ratings, and Instagram hashtag popularity. Each factor was given equal weighting (25%) to create a comprehensive 'Camping Popularity Score' that identifies the true favourites among UK campers. There was one site in North Wales that made the cut. Plassey Holiday Park in Wrexham county was at number seven. A check on TripAdvisor shows why with nearly all its 1,700+ reviews scoring it as excellent or good. The Brookshaw family acquired the Plassey estate near Wrexham in 1960 and ran it as a dairy and arable farm up until the early 1970s. But then Tony and wife Della Brookshaw took the decision to develop land into a caravan park and later a golf course and retail centre, while the former milking parlour became a restaurant. It has become one of the best known holiday parks in the region - earning rave reviews from those who visit. The full list: 1 Highlands End Holiday Park Bridport, Dorset 57.63 2 Barn Farm Campsite Matlock, Derbyshire 55.92 3 Riverside Caravan Park Bentham, North Yorkshire 45.91 4 Shottisham Campsite Shottisham, Woodbridge, Suffolk 44.50 5 Dale Farm Rural Campsite Great Longstone, Bakewell, Derbyshire 43.61 6 Wooda Farm Holiday Park Bude, Cornwall 43.48 7 Plassey Holiday Park Wrexham, Wrexham 41.89 8 Balloch O Dee Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway 39.90 9 The Hideaway at Baxby Manor Amplecarr, York, North Yorkshire 39.17 10 Hurley Riverside Park Hurley, Berkshire 36.66 Andy Halliday, Founder of Lexrope, said: 'These top camping spots are incredibly popular for good reason, but this means they book up lightning-fast. I always recommend securing your pitch at least three months ahead, especially for summer weekends and bank holidays. 'If you're set on experiencing these camping gems but can't get a booking, consider visiting during shoulder seasons – May, early June or September offer gorgeous weather with half the crowds. School term-time weekdays are like hitting the camping jackpot for those without kids. 'Don't despair if these sites are full – most have equally brilliant alternatives nearby." Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
North Wales Live
26-04-2025
- North Wales Live
Holiday park in North Wales on UK list of most popular camping destinations
The weather is warming up and peak camping season is fast approaching. It is expected to be a good year for staycations and the early weather has been promising. This has seen Lexrope draw up a list of the 10 best camping spots in Britain. The team analysed hundreds of campsites across the UK to determine which locations are the most popular among campers. Their research combined four key metrics: average monthly search volume, number of reviews on average ratings, and Instagram hashtag popularity. Each factor was given equal weighting (25%) to create a comprehensive 'Camping Popularity Score' that identifies the true favourites among UK campers. There was one site in North Wales that made the cut. Plassey Holiday Park in Wrexham county was at number seven. A check on TripAdvisor shows why with nearly all its 1,700+ reviews scoring it as excellent or good. The Brookshaw family acquired the Plassey estate near Wrexham in 1960 and ran it as a dairy and arable farm up until the early 1970s. But then Tony and wife Della Brookshaw took the decision to develop land into a caravan park and later a golf course and retail centre, while the former milking parlour became a restaurant. It has become one of the best known holiday parks in the region - earning rave reviews from those who visit. The full list: Andy Halliday, Founder of Lexrope, said: 'These top camping spots are incredibly popular for good reason, but this means they book up lightning-fast. I always recommend securing your pitch at least three months ahead, especially for summer weekends and bank holidays. 'If you're set on experiencing these camping gems but can't get a booking, consider visiting during shoulder seasons – May, early June or September offer gorgeous weather with half the crowds. School term-time weekdays are like hitting the camping jackpot for those without kids.
