About us
Who we are
Joining a camping community in the UK, such as the Surrey District Association (SDA), offers a plethora of benefits for outdoor enthusiasts. Our community provides a platform to connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for exploring the great outdoors and creating lasting memories. Members can enjoy organised meets throughout the year, where they can socialize, exchange camping tips, and build friendships that extend beyond the campfire.
Being part of a camping community also opens doors to new camping locations, insider knowledge on the best spots to visit, and a sense of belonging to a supportive and welcoming group. Whether you are a seasoned camper or a beginner looking to embark on new adventures, joining a camping community in the UK enriches the overall camping experience and creates a sense of camaraderie that makes every trip more enjoyable.
The Camping Club as it was originally named, was formed in 1901 by a group of adventurous, outdoor loving folk, who yearned for the peace and tranquillity of living in the countryside. As membership grew it became obvious, there was a need to form smaller local groups, to cater for the ever increasing numbers of like minded folk getting away at the weekend.
The Surrey D.A. was formed March 1921, by Secretary pro tem Cdr D.B.L. Hopkins, RN, MVO. The first meet of the Surrey D.A. was held at Elliots Farm, Box Hill, on the 2nd-4th April 1921. Mr P. Surrey-White was elected secretary and Cdr Hopkins was appointed President.
Monthly notes in 'Camping' included an amusing comment in the form of a ‘request’ that all those members who camped at Enticknap's Farm, who forgot to pay their fees, please do so in order to prevent the good name of the Surrey D.A. being sullied!!
Around January 1927, Red Hand direction signs were first introduced to guide members to the ever increasing and diverse camping site locations, which are still used today.
Cdr Hopkins was one of the early pioneers of the Camping Club and it was he who coined the title 'Feast of Lanterns' which replaced the term ‘Annual Bonfire'. The very first F.O.L was held at Deepdene, Dorking, June 1921. By 1922 this event had been renamed The National Feast of Lanterns and was held, again in Surrey but this time at Walton-on-Thames, a venue that was owned and operated, by the Club, as a ‘Club Site’ from 1913.
Surrey D.A. originally boasted a ‘Dorking Cockerel’ as its emblem, chosen because the inaugural meet was held close by at Elliott's Farm, Boxhill. The Dorking Cockerel is a very strikingly plumed, five toed chicken, thought to have been introduced by the Romans during their occupation of this area of Britain. The Club archives include the Surrey’s First Edition Pennon, which sub-titles the Cockerel emblem as a “Surrey Fowl”
Celebrating 100 Years of Surrey DA Camping Allen Russell has produced a ‘Time Line’ of Events from 1921 to the present day (coming soon)
Not a member? Join the club today...
Join The Camping and Caravanning Club today to benefit from over 100 years of expertise as well as specially selected discounts tailored to our members. As soon as you are a member you will be assigned to a DA (District Association). This will be the closest DA to where you live and shown on your membership card. You are then free to go camping with any of the 93 DA's over 13 Regions in the UK.
We hope to see you in a field soon...