Glamping; what would you want?
Discussion
I'm in the very early stages of setting up a small glamping site, and wanted to 'canvas' (sorry!) opinions on what people would look for when choosing a site. There are so many new products out there catering for this model, many of which can be set up off-grid, such as flushing toilets, lighting, WiFi etc etc. that it's difficult to know what to prioritise.
We're planning on using Romany caravans and teepees, but want to give ourselves an edge over other sites. What would you want? Any suggestions welcomed.
We're planning on using Romany caravans and teepees, but want to give ourselves an edge over other sites. What would you want? Any suggestions welcomed.
Thanks for the comments guys. All taken on board.
Regarding dogs; a difficult one, and I have dogs myself. A friend does Air B&B, and is dog-friendly. Last guest's dog decided to eat wallpaper and skirting boards. I know that a Romany van/yurt/teepee doesn't have either of those, but damage could happen. There is also the issue of possible barking, and the reliance on the owner to clean up after the dog. It wouldn't be possible to vet either the owner or the dog itself when booking. I can't help feeling that we'd be importing problems that are easily avoided, even if it does somewhat limit our market.
We'll not be doing this to make vast amounts of money, nor will we be relying on it to provide an income. Obviously we'll need to cover costs, but it's more something to do to keep us occupied. I'm lucky enough to have pretty much retired, and whilst I'm never bored, it would be nice to have something to focus on. The daily cost will be pitched to keep it affordable. I don't subscribe to increasing prices just because it's school summer holidays; there'll be no premium. The 'adults only' idea seems to be worth pursuing, so long as it doesn't attract people who think it's a passport to open-air shagging!
So far as site shopping goes, whilst the idea of a bakery or somesuch sounds good, but we're only looking at maybe half a dozen pitches, so don't think it would be either sustainable or financially viable. My wife, though, is keen to provide hampers for breakfast. This is something that a hotel we recently stayed at in Whitby did, and it was so much better than traipsing down to a dining room for breakfast.
Facility-wise, we'd look to provide toilets specific to each pitch, as well as somewhere to shower. Anything within the accommodation would be high-quality and freshly laundered. A central fire-pit, as well as individual BBQ's would be nice to have as well.
WRT to space, as said, we'd only want half a dozen pitches over an acre, so plenty of scope for privacy. We have yet to locate a suitable site. We'll have our house on site, but if we can find somewhere set in 7-8 acres then we won't intrude on the glamping space, nor would they intrude on ours. Hoping to remain in Norfolk/Suffolk; any pointers on location, eg proximity to local towns/pubs? Part of me thinks keep it remote, but another part says we need to be closer to civilisation.
Again, appreciating the comments...
Regarding dogs; a difficult one, and I have dogs myself. A friend does Air B&B, and is dog-friendly. Last guest's dog decided to eat wallpaper and skirting boards. I know that a Romany van/yurt/teepee doesn't have either of those, but damage could happen. There is also the issue of possible barking, and the reliance on the owner to clean up after the dog. It wouldn't be possible to vet either the owner or the dog itself when booking. I can't help feeling that we'd be importing problems that are easily avoided, even if it does somewhat limit our market.
We'll not be doing this to make vast amounts of money, nor will we be relying on it to provide an income. Obviously we'll need to cover costs, but it's more something to do to keep us occupied. I'm lucky enough to have pretty much retired, and whilst I'm never bored, it would be nice to have something to focus on. The daily cost will be pitched to keep it affordable. I don't subscribe to increasing prices just because it's school summer holidays; there'll be no premium. The 'adults only' idea seems to be worth pursuing, so long as it doesn't attract people who think it's a passport to open-air shagging!
So far as site shopping goes, whilst the idea of a bakery or somesuch sounds good, but we're only looking at maybe half a dozen pitches, so don't think it would be either sustainable or financially viable. My wife, though, is keen to provide hampers for breakfast. This is something that a hotel we recently stayed at in Whitby did, and it was so much better than traipsing down to a dining room for breakfast.
Facility-wise, we'd look to provide toilets specific to each pitch, as well as somewhere to shower. Anything within the accommodation would be high-quality and freshly laundered. A central fire-pit, as well as individual BBQ's would be nice to have as well.
WRT to space, as said, we'd only want half a dozen pitches over an acre, so plenty of scope for privacy. We have yet to locate a suitable site. We'll have our house on site, but if we can find somewhere set in 7-8 acres then we won't intrude on the glamping space, nor would they intrude on ours. Hoping to remain in Norfolk/Suffolk; any pointers on location, eg proximity to local towns/pubs? Part of me thinks keep it remote, but another part says we need to be closer to civilisation.
Again, appreciating the comments...
Thanks for the feedback all.
Just an update; we've put an offer in on a property with 5+ acres, which has been accepted. Now getting ready to sell our house to allow the purchase to proceed.
And just took delivery of this wagon to set us on our way. This will be the first of four or five.
Current plan is to spend the next 18 months making sure everything is as perfect as we can get it before embarking on the glamping season 2019.
Just an update; we've put an offer in on a property with 5+ acres, which has been accepted. Now getting ready to sell our house to allow the purchase to proceed.
And just took delivery of this wagon to set us on our way. This will be the first of four or five.
Current plan is to spend the next 18 months making sure everything is as perfect as we can get it before embarking on the glamping season 2019.
marcg said:
Hot tub fed by the logburner? Not sure how complicated this would be but this would differentiate from the rest. Only works if properly private of course.
I know it's a very personal thing, but I just don't 'get' hot-tubs. Would you get in a bath with your mates? Always seemed a bit odd to me. MrBrightSi said:
Those caravans look rather quaint and cool. Would love to see how you develop them inside. You got any ideas/pics of the tepees you're planning to use?
The whole plan is pretty fluid at the moment, and will morph as we go on. I think we'll ditch the tee-pees; there may well be planning issues which, hopefully, will be negated by having mobile accommodation.Mrs. Tuono is in charge of the 'vans. Currently trawling eBay and visiting antique fairs; she's in her element. But all will be kitted out with quality sheets/duvets, crockery etc., as well as complimentary tea/coffee/cakes/wine on arrival.
RTB said:
From the years I've been camping I've often thought that the key to a good experience is to provide a bit of isolation and for the owners to make people feel welcome.
Last week I stayed on a site that had individual pitches mowed out. Each tent had it's own little spot that you could get to without walking through other people's pitches. It was quiet and well run. Even though the facilities were pretty basic (basic showers and loos, no EHU, no WiFi), the environment and attitude of the owners made me want to go back (the owners came round to each pitch on the edge of dark handing out free glow sticks for the kids to play with).
Compare that to a site I went to last year that had all mod-cons but treated it's guests as a commodity to be exploited. The tents (even the glamping yurts/bell tents) were close enough that guy lines overlapped and every little thing cost money; eg if you turned up early they charged you a fee, if you left your pitch late, even a few minutes, they charged you a fee (whilst we were packing up a campsite employee came to make sure we didn't overstay), if you wanted a fire you had to hire their fire-pits and then buy their unbelievably expensive logs (the bags worked out at nearly 2 quid a log....), if you wanted WiFi you had to pay (an extortionate amount for almost unusable internet). It left a bad taste.....
And that's exactly where we're coming from. We're not in it to make money, but to give us an enjoyable lifestyle. Obviously we'll need to cover our costs, but outgoings will be minimal, once the 'vans are paid off. If you can't provide £20's worth of 'freebies' on arrival for your daily rate (research seems to indicate anywhere between £70-£120/day; seems a lot to me, but...) then I reckon you're not in it for the guest. I hate the 'gimme gimme' approach; it always leaves a bad taste. If we respect our guests, then hopefully they'll respect the site. Last week I stayed on a site that had individual pitches mowed out. Each tent had it's own little spot that you could get to without walking through other people's pitches. It was quiet and well run. Even though the facilities were pretty basic (basic showers and loos, no EHU, no WiFi), the environment and attitude of the owners made me want to go back (the owners came round to each pitch on the edge of dark handing out free glow sticks for the kids to play with).
Compare that to a site I went to last year that had all mod-cons but treated it's guests as a commodity to be exploited. The tents (even the glamping yurts/bell tents) were close enough that guy lines overlapped and every little thing cost money; eg if you turned up early they charged you a fee, if you left your pitch late, even a few minutes, they charged you a fee (whilst we were packing up a campsite employee came to make sure we didn't overstay), if you wanted a fire you had to hire their fire-pits and then buy their unbelievably expensive logs (the bags worked out at nearly 2 quid a log....), if you wanted WiFi you had to pay (an extortionate amount for almost unusable internet). It left a bad taste.....
With a max of five 'vans, each should have 1/2 acre to itself, EHU (already on-site; property is currently run as a CC site), individual toilets for each pitch, a shed full of chairs/tables/boules/croquet/books etc etc for anyone to use. We'll have a communal fire-pit for those who want it, individual BBQ's for those who don't. Loads of farm-shops in the area, so a hook-up with one of those should see a ready supply of fresh meat. Little things, but they all add up.
Europa1 said:
AdeTuono said:
The whole plan is pretty fluid at the moment, and will morph as we go on. I think we'll ditch the tee-pees; there may well be planning issues which, hopefully, will be negated by having mobile accommodation.
Mrs. Tuono is in charge of the 'vans. Currently trawling eBay and visiting antique fairs; she's in her element. But all will be kitted out with quality sheets/duvets, crockery etc., as well as complimentary tea/coffee/cakes/wine on arrival.
Without wishing to urinate on your chips, you have set the wheels in motion in terms of buying the site and selling your house, but are talking about planning issues in terms of "may" and "hopefully". As you are putting so much into this business, you really want the planning position nailed.Mrs. Tuono is in charge of the 'vans. Currently trawling eBay and visiting antique fairs; she's in her element. But all will be kitted out with quality sheets/duvets, crockery etc., as well as complimentary tea/coffee/cakes/wine on arrival.
Edited to add: planning use for the site as well as planning permission for the caravans.
Edited by Europa1 on Thursday 17th August 09:38
Not sure of you can put an application in on a property that you don't actually own yet; you probably can. The use of 'may' and 'hopefully' was strictly in order not to tempt fate.
4x4Tyke said:
I often camp when off roading and hot showers at these sites is the height of luxury, I'd say these are essential for glamping. Each pitch structure needs to be warm in winter and cool in summer, use your terrain to your advantage and protect people from the elements. When allowed we use open fire pits for cooking/BBQ, if you do this, at lease some fuel/wood needs to be inclusive.
A few weeks ago, some guy on TV was doing eco-glamping. He had a surcharge for hot showers to discourage use and save energy. This is f
kwittery for me, camping is low footprint, glamping is not.
Again, totally where we're coming from. Property has a wooded copse, so fuel won't be a problem. And at £100 for a truckload of logs, which would probably last a month or so, I wouldn't have a problem including it in the price.A few weeks ago, some guy on TV was doing eco-glamping. He had a surcharge for hot showers to discourage use and save energy. This is f
kwittery for me, camping is low footprint, glamping is not.As for showers, probably not one per wagon, but there are outbuildings with a good power supply and drainage that lend themselves to conversion.
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