# Cycling Britain's Camping Heritage: A 125-Year Journey on Two Wheels
The Camping and Caravanning Club marks its 125th anniversary this year, and one travel writer pedaled the route that connects the club's origins to its past. Starting in Oxford, where the organization began as a cycle camping club in 1899, the journey follows the National Cycle Route 57 southward into Surrey, tracing the footsteps of Britain's outdoor pioneers.
The 60-mile route showcases why cycling and camping became inseparable pursuits for British adventurers over a century ago. Departing from Jericho in Oxford on an e-bike, the cyclist encounters pastoral landscapes dotted with hawthorn blossoms and skylarks. The ride connects Oxford to one of the club's oldest established campsites, revealing the free-wheeling spirit that defined early 20th-century outdoor recreation.
This expedition highlights a travel trend gaining momentum among British tourists. Cycle camping combines active tourism with budget accommodation, avoiding expensive hotels while allowing deeper engagement with the countryside. The National Cycle Route network, which stretches across Britain, enables similar self-powered journeys without requiring expensive tour operators or guided experiences.
The Camping and Caravanning Club, operating hundreds of sites across the UK, offers affordable stays ranging from basic pitches to glamping options. Members camp for roughly £20-40 per night at most facilities, making extended journeys accessible to budget-conscious travelers. The club's resurgence reflects broader interest in sustainable travel and rural exploration.
Modern e-bikes remove physical barriers that once deterred casual cyclists from longer distances. A 60-mile overnight journey becomes manageable for intermediate cyclists using electric assistance, democratizing the kind of adventure the club's founders undertook on fixed-gear bicycles.
For travelers planning UK trips, this anniversary