Glamping not on a farm?

[livingthegoodlife]

I'm thinking about setting up a eco-friendly glampsite but I don't own a farm! It would be on a 3 acre site in a rural area but would you be put off by the fact it isn't on a farm? (And therefore we can't sell you home grown bacon? I would like to do an honesty shop with jams and honey, eggs and maybe bread).

I'm thinking middle level luxury so yurts with your own compost toilet but a proper bathroom with hot showers and flushing toilet up at the stables. Communal barn area with stove and board games, fridge etc.

The site will be off grid with solar power.

I'm concerned that all my competition is based on working farms and would therefore be more appealing.

Please share with me what makes you choose a particular yurt site! Thank you so much.

Every Glamping site I have ever been to has been on a farm, bit I always assumed that this was because they had the land available. I certainly haven't spent the breaks assisting with lambing or collecting fresh eggs!

I don't think not being a farm is an issue. Is your site peaceful, tranquil, private? You could get away with larger group experiences too as you don't need to worry about your livestock and disruption as much.

You could still organise hampers from local suppliers - if anything that's better as you can source really good quality stuff!!

I'd much rather NOT go to a farm

And there are and increasing number of vegans around who would never consider a holiday on a farm

I'm pleased to hear not being on a farm doesn't seem to be a deciding factor. And good point about vegans too.

The site is about 3 acres with views of rolling hills near the sea. I wouldn't say it was remote but more tucked away, so still accessible to a town (5 miles ish, village about 1 miles) and local pub about 1 mile. It isn't off a tiny country lane though, more a country road.

It is surrounded by farm and equine land.

Sounds perfect to me.

Sorry a perfect yurt site to me would be scenic quiet location but not too far from a village just like you describe really.

I would also rather not go to a farm as I have a phobia of cows.

It sounds wonderful please pm me the details! Farms smell! Also please accommodate families of 5...

I don't see that as a problem. You could offer deliveries from local providers, music/entertainment once a week by local bands. Wood fired pizza van one night a week, fish and chips another?
Might want to price yourselves a bit cheaper than the local farms but totally doable IMO.

Fire pit and or fire stove of some sort. Very far away from nearest neighbours and hopefully can't see the other huts, yurts whatever the accommodation - private as possible.

Suggestions all noted.

Definitely fire pits & stoves with locally supplied sustainable wood.

Achieving seclusion between the yurts is difficult. One of the planning conditions is likely to be that I can't change the planting scheme of the land (including managed grass) and it must stay agricultural looking. I can however put plenty of space between the yurts but realistically you will be able to see the others.

Music / food vans would sadly be against the vibe of the area, I was thinking more "silent with nature, star watching and toasting marshmallows over a roaring fire"!

Glamping but not on a farm would definitely appeal to vegans (I have vegan family and this is a deal breaker when we camp together). Could be a good advertising feature?

I have toddlers so want to be on a farm. When they’re older, it wouldn’t bother me at all if there was one or not. Good luck with your venture

Strategically growing clumps of hawthorn etc provide a bit of natural privacy.

We are a vegetarian family so would definitely choose your site instead of a farm.

Not all farms have animals.

@PhoneLock obviously not but the OP is talking about animal/farm produce, and some use the livestock as a selling point.....so.....

OP you can make the vegan friendly thing a selling point for sure. I love a glamp and I don't mind being able to see other yurts or whatever but as a pp said some planting visual barrier and careful orientation for a bit secluded vibe is nice. I don't like the set up where its a huddle of cabins close together unless you've booked to go witih your pals

We tried both these places and they were great. It wouldn't bother me if there was a farm or not. You can still do hampers/breakfast packs etc.

droversrest.co.uk/

www.secret-valley.co.uk/

@converseandjeans both those places look amazing. They are both farms offering lots more than glamping (hands on farm experience, tours, activities etc). Mine would be much smaller scale!

My research continues, the vegan aspect is very interesting and one I hadn't considered.

My next biggest hurdle is planning permission, because even though yurts are temporary structures I need change of use for the land. I'm only planning on being open during the summer months but I have a lot of hoops to jump through to meet all the planning policies. The biggest one being drainage for waste water and change to landscape (ie you'll see the yurts from a distance si the landscape of the countryside will change).

Watch this space!

Good luck with it all, sounds like an exciting venture!

Not being on a farm wouldn't bother me at all. I was going to link you to Fforest Fields and say how much we enjoyed it but it appears it is actually on a farm. I didn't notice here it is anyway here

www.thehideawayatbaxbymanor.co.uk/

This is a lovely campsite which has glamping and normal camping. The best thing about it is the beautifully clean toilet/shower/,washing up block. They have a very small shop on site.

I've been to this one and its not on a farm but is lovely - sounds quite like what you are suggesting
www.plushtentsglamping.co.uk/

The non-farm aspect might also appeal more to families where a child is frightened of animals or is sensitive to their noises (SEN). A braying donkey or a sunrise, noisy rooster can be scary for a child (and bloody annoying if I'm trying to sleep in!!!)

I think its more important if there are things to do in the local area or within a short drive.

Another consideration would be making the shower block disabled accessible (this might be the law anyways) but also having at least 1 yurt as accessible.

Sounds amazing. Do it.