Glamping is camping, but not as you may remember it. The tent has morphed into a spacious canvas cottage with rooms, en suite bathrooms, comfy beds, wood burning stoves, large verandas and hot tubs. As the world gets more high tech, this new style of holiday has struck a chord with those who want to rediscover the simple pleasures of life and the glory of Britain’s countryside, without losing any creature comforts. For landowners, it offers a lucrative option to diversify.
Somerset based manufacturer Boldscan has advised many farmers on setting up Glamping sites throughout the UK, including recent openings at Knaveswell Farm in Dorset, Seven Hills Hideaway in Wales and Welcome Meadow in North Devon. Boldscan is exhibiting at The Farm Business Innovation Show at the NEC - Stand number 1032. Longlands in North Devon hosts regular seminars to tell people how to set up a Glamping Business and will also be lecturing at the show. Longlands had occupancy of 95% in its first year, produced a turnover of almost £200k in year two and is generating an operating profit almost twice that of the business plan.
Holiday Parks including Trevella Holiday Park and Perran Sands in Cornwall, have also been quick to add Glamping to their more traditional offering of caravans etc and the Durrell Wildlife Park in Jersey has installed geodesic domes for guests to stay overnight with the animals.
Knaveswell Farm in Dorset is set on a 156 acre dairy farm on a quiet lane between Corfe Castle and Swanage, just minutes from the beach and the South West Coast Path. Jo Dyer and family moved to the farm eight years ago. The price of milk made it a struggle to make money so diversification was essential. They had already run a self-catering cottage on the site so Glamping was a natural step. They started with 4 safari style tents and quickly filled summer weekends. They love meeting the guests, who can watch the herd of around 100 cows being milked, help feed the young calves and spring lambs.
Francesca Newell opened the first Glamping site In Monmouthshire this summer - Seven Hills Hideaway. Her family have tended the 110 acre Winston Court Farm in Llanvetherine with its 16th Century farmhouse for several generations. When her grandmother died the farm was unmodernised. When it passed to her mother, they wanted to keep the farm in the family and looked at ways of diversifying. Francesca was taken by idea of Glamping, but wanted it to be a luxurious experience. She came across Somerset based glamping equipment manufacturers, Boldscan, and liked the fact that the tents were British made, good quality and the company was well established.
After getting planning permission, Francesca started the season with one safari style tent, named Skirrid Fawr, after one of the local seven hills. Francesca has plans for a total of seven tents in the near future, plus a shop selling local produce. The setting is idyllic; peaceful with far reaching views and a stream, horses in the paddock and even two baby Alpacas, plus a wealth of bird life. There are wonderful walks, great places to eat and lots going on in nearby Abergavenny.
She commented, “The tourist board have been hugely supportive of my new venture.”
Boldscan’s products range from traditional Safari style tents to ultra-modern Geodesic Domes, plus a Clubhouse to use as shop, bar, tearoom etc, all hand made at the Somerset factory using British canvas. In addition to advising on planning permission, green finance, supplying and fitting out the tents with kitchens, wood burning stoves and even en-suite bathrooms, the company offers an after sales maintenance programme. Prices start from £9,000 for a tent with some farmers charging guests around £1,400 per week in high season.
Boldscan, has just launched a new range - the innovative and stylish “Etosha” with big picture windows and two deep wooden verandas covered by a canopy, one of which can feature a hot tub. There are two design options: the Safari and the Contemporary. The Safari is a subtle sand canvas with green roofs which blends seamlessly into the countryside. In contrast The Continental evokes a cool villa on the Med with elegant white walls, slate blue roofs and can have transparent blue walls surrounding the verandas. The low, one level design has been developed with disabled guests in mind. The T shaped floorplan can be configured to sleep up to eight including a master bedroom, guest bedroom plus cabin beds, with heating provided by a wood burning stove. There is an option to add a wooden pod with a bespoke en-suite bathroom with a roll top bath, deluxe shower and separate proper loo.