GREENDOWN GOES GLAMPING!

Ten years ago, the word ‘glamping’ wasn’t even in the dictionary and, as an appealing getaway, many saw it as a fad that wouldn’t last.

However, not only has the trend continued to grow, it exploded when holiday priorities changed because of Covid19 and getting away needed to be both simpler and healthier.

As an industry that was valued at around £3 billion in the UK pre-pandemic, it’s almost doubled in value and is an increasingly popular choice for couples and families wishing to holiday in style with home comforts while also enjoying getting back to nature. 

One of the aspects of glamping which has become increasingly popular for providers of luxury experiences is the growing interest in high quality shepherd huts.

Young entrepreneur Harry Long runs Greendown Shepherd Huts, and oversees the manufacture of all of the huts which are made on site. 

Harry said: “Glamping is an important market for us now – yet a few short years ago no one really knew what the term meant. Yet it perfectly describes an experience for those who want to immerse themselves in nature, relax in quiet surroundings yet with luxury as standard. 

“We’ve seen our business grow and grow as more glamping sites add shepherd huts to their offering.” 

For anyone who already runs a hospitality or tourist site, or for landowners wishing to increase their income, glamping offers a great opportunity to provide customers with a stylish home from home – and shepherd huts don’t always require planning permission and can even be fully off grid. 

Next month, the team from Greendown Shepherd Huts will join other businesses and landowners from across the UK at the NAEC Stoneleigh in Coventry for The Glamping Show, a three-day trade show bringing together manufacturers and distributors showcasing the latest products and ideas.

If you’re thinking of adding glamping to your hospitality venue, farm, or land, here’s 10 tips to help you make glamping work for you!

1. Location, Location, Location
Whether you’re looking to add diverse accommodation to the grounds of a hotel, provide an Air B&B on your farm or create a true back-to-nature rural retreat on your land, the specific location of your glamping will make a big difference to its appeal. Make the most of assets such as rivers, lakes and areas of woodland and provide information about the local surroundings like interesting walks or rural activities. 

2. Pick the right kind of glamping 
Gone are the days when glamping meant nothing more than putting some fairy lights round a tent and making sure there were extra cushions. There’s a huge variety of accommodation available, from gorgeous bell tents to handmade pods to luxury yurts and hand-crafted shepherd huts. Think about who you want to attract. For example, if you want guests who are new to glamping, start with accommodation that offers a little more in the way of home comforts, such as the beautiful huts crafted by Harry Long and his team at their South West workshop. Have a chat with them at The Glamping Show about the luxury bathrooms and comfortable beds that feature in their high-end huts. You can even talk to them about their offgrid shepherd huts. You’ll find them at stand 400 - https://www.theglampingshow.com/company/greendown-shepherd-huts/

3. Get the Glamping Glow!
Even in the height of summer, the UK is prone to a little chilliness once the sun goes down. The glamping equivalent of the traditional campfire is a must-have, so check out everything from fire pits to all-singing, all-dancing top-of-the-range wood-burning stoves before making a final decision about which one will work with your accommodation.  

4. Sleep on It!
There’s a huge range of sleeping arrangements now available in the glamping arena. From airbeds to camp beds to real beds and even four-posters, you can be as basic or as luxurious as you like with the variety of glamping adventures on offer. The Greendown shepherd huts located at Heathy Lea on the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire are a great example of the perfect combination of luxury slumber and “back to nature” retreat. https://www.heathylea.co.uk/accommodation

5. Provide those little extras.
They say it’s the thought that counts and that’s definitely the case when it comes to glamping. Providing those little extras such as more blankets, extra special toiletries and even a supply of marshmallows for the midnight fire-pit will make your guests’ stay that little bit more luxurious and memorable.

6. Animals Come Too!
The rural and relatively simple nature of a glamping break means it’s a great idea to welcome pets as guests too. Hill House in Wiltshire provides cosy dog beds, doggy treats and blankets to ensure that guests’ furry friends have everything they need for a perfect adventure. https://www.hillhousebandb.co.uk/shepherds-huts

7. Make it Appetising
Is your glamping retreat located on a farm? A hamper that includes treats from the farm as a welcome gift is a nice touch. Consider a pizza oven and barbecue as added extras in the outside space. Additional touches such as decent coffee, local honey and a picnic blanket will impress and increase your chances of recommendation.

8. The Inside is Outside!
The back-to-nature element of glamping means that what you provide outside the accommodation is just as important as the cosy extras on the inside. With private hot tubs,[LW1]  firepits, on-site fishing and free eggs, these handcrafted huts in the West Country are part of an “all round” glamping experience which appeals by painting a picture of the kind of getaway the luxury accommodation makes possible.

https://avonfarmcottages.co.uk/cottages/shepherds-huts/

9. Work Out the Costs
Start-up costs for truly beautiful glamping that attracts guests in a consistent way can be expensive. Greendown Shepherd Huts are the only manufacturer in the UK offering a leasing option, making it easier to build up your glamping business. Find them on Stand 400 at The Glamping Show.

https://www.greendownshepherdhuts.co.uk/lease-a-hut/

10. Provide Activities
If you’re running or thinking of setting up a glamping site with a number of accommodations, offering relaxing wellness activities such as yoga, spa treatments and craft pursuits can be an added attraction.

Whether you’re looking for yurts, luxury shepherd huts, fire pits or anything else to make your glamping site work for you, The Glamping Show, 14th-16th September, is a great opportunity to source equipment and resources, talk to experts and listen to specialist talks all under one roof. 

To find out more about Greendown Shepherd Huts visit https://www.greendownshepherdhuts.co.uk

Photograph show Harry Long, managing director of Greendown Shepherd Huts. Details of The Glamping Show can be found here: https://www.theglampingshow.com