Glamping show

[Danllan]

What will they be sleeping in? Yurt? Bell Tent? Shepherds hut? We were getting £60/night for a 5m Bell tent with woodburner, we could have probably got more tbh, I know of someone in Snowdonia who was charging >£100 / night for the same thing but you couldn't get that now, Shepherds huts seem to be £80 to £100 ish per night

We haven't decided yet. After discussing it with some of Mrs Danllan's friends (North of London posh-ish types who do go camping) we have a choice between them providing their own tent etc. or us doing as you've suggested. Frankly, since it isn't going to be any work for me, or further expense other than supplying firewood and hot water, I'd rather let them have a DIY camp site and see how it goes. The typical charge around here on a multi-pitch site is from £20 to £25 per night a few places up to £30; some places have a basic charge and then add on £x per head, others charge a flat rate per tent. I'm not desperate to milk it to the 'nth degree, but don't want to under-sell either; we'll be happy to have repeat visitors too, so we don't want to take the p*ss. Any comments?

 

[suffolksmallholder]

I'd concentrate on the repeat business & happy campers. If you enjoy having certain folk and it won't become a chore there's not much to beat.
SS

 

[Kidds]

My plot is just evolving slowly. You can't rush a good hedge or fruit trees anyway. I'm not chasing money as I want things to be right first time and I think if you only chase money you'll not enjoy the 'whole'. Others may disagree but so be it. We enjoy the summer family gatherings and cooking vast amounts of paella on our old Massey combine wheel!
I still have to build a loo, shower & wash-up area so can't start charging yet.
@Pasty. Wishing you well in your endeavours!

Looks very nice.
Do you have a real bad rabbit problem there?

 

[suffolksmallholder]

There's quite a few waskly wabbits but this keeps my lurcher busy. She catches two a week at the moment. The not so good bit is that the dead ones are also prized and eaten, maggots & all and the most recent 03.30 sick-up resulted in the surviving maggots racing one another across the kitchen floor. Mrs SS gets up earlier than me at 05.00 was greeted with this and, bless her, let me sleep on for my extra hour & cleared the mess
We've netted everything so they rarely get in our veggy plot or the camping area.
SS

 

[Danllan]

I agree @suffolksmallholder, it is a gradual process, but I think we can start next year. I laid the hedge last winter and lopped some branches that were overhanging too much; of course that all looked bleak for a bit but it grows back, and next Spring it will green up well enough. My only real concern is that I'd like to run the cattle over it for the sheep's sake, but getting the ground hard enough for them not to leave it too rough for the guests is tricky; I think this current dry spell might just do it.

I used to set up safari camps and lodges and have some fine ideas for here - weather permitting - but will start with a decent fire site - hopefully cow-proof and attractive, an unusual combination!

 

[Pasty]

One light bulb moment for us was talking to a guy who makes really good loo / shower units which are portable but very posh inside. He pointed out that if you have 2 units, say yurts, pods or whatever and 1 toilet / shower, you are going to need to make sure it's clean twice a day at least and you might get an 11pm phone call saying there is a turd on the floor (not his exact words). If one family is OK but the other has kids who can't hit the toilet then family 1 is not going to be happy. If they have their own loo and shower then they can't really complain if they crap all over it and have to wade in it for 3 days. You only have to clean at changeover and I think you can make it clear that otherwise it will be cleaned once a week and the rest is up to them.

That was something that hadn't occurred to us but made perfect sense.

 

[Danllan]

One light bulb moment for us was talking to a guy who makes really good loo / shower units which are portable but very posh inside. He pointed out that if you have 2 units, say yurts, pods or whatever and 1 toilet / shower, you are going to need to make sure it's clean twice a day at least and you might get an 11pm phone call saying there is a turd on the floor (not his exact words). If one family is OK but the other has kids who can't hit the toilet then family 1 is not going to be happy. If they have their own loo and shower then they can't really complain if they crap all over it and have to wade in it for 3 days. You only have to clean at changeover and I think you can make it clear that otherwise it will be cleaned once a week and the rest is up to them.

That was something that hadn't occurred to us but made perfect sense.

A good point, and another reason for us to only have one family / group at time - I have three youngsters and the boys' aim is not always as would be desired, so I know the realities.

However, I know of a place in Ceredigion - NNNPD - that charges a £5 returnable deposit as a guarantee that their toilet block will be left as found. This was started after a couple of years of running, because they were just getting hacked off with the state it was left in. I chatted to the boss who reckons that about 50% of people can't be bothered to clean it up, so it works out as £5 for 15 minutes of cleaning. That boss also said that now - having been going for nearly a decade, that over 60% of their clients are returners, some even since their first year. The thinking is, that because of the notional 'penalty' even those who don't ask for the £5 back are still more conscious of having to treat the facilities with more care. Makes sense.

 

[Pasty]

Plus if they have their own toilet block, they know that you know what they have done.

Edit: Not literally of course.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

I used to run Bushcraft events on the 28 day rule for up to 40 people with x 5 flushing loos, respective hand basins & washing-up facilities but no showers. Starting on a Friday afternoon with meet-and-greet at around 15.00 hrs and finishing on a Sunday about 18.00 hrs. Apart from organising the timetable for the days courses which could be spread amongst keen experienced friends and my wife, I spent most of the day on what I call 'damage control'.....Cleaning the loos! The mess surprised me at first but I got used to the fact that some people just don't give a sh*t (literally) and cleaned up The best bit were the positive comments later; 'Nice clean loos'
SS

 

[Pasty]

I used to run Bushcraft events on the 28 day rule for up to 40 people with x 5 flushing loos, respective hand basins & washing-up facilities but no showers. Starting on a Friday afternoon with meet-and-greet at around 15.00 hrs and finishing on a Sunday about 18.00 hrs. Apart from organising the timetable for the days courses which could be spread amongst keen experienced friends and my wife, I spent most of the day on what I call 'damage control'.....Cleaning the loos! The mess surprised me at first but I got used to the fact that some people just don't give a sh*t (literally) and cleaned up The best bit were the positive comments later; 'Nice clean loos'
SS

That's not a job I want to do. If I'm being perfectly honest.

 

[Hooby Farmer]

As some of you know i started my glamping site this year for the first time. As has been mentioned before about the pay off time 1 year is not really accurate. Yes it pays off the intial cost of the tents but doesnt not see the rest of the campsite paid for. For a fully furnished 5m bell tent, electric and bedding, prices start at £80 for 2 then £5 per person after for a max of 5 inside. The cabin is £80 a night it has an en suite in it but only has the ability to keep 2 people. If any one has any questions id be more than happy to, give figures etc. Website below if you want to check us out.

http://www.swannsbridge.com/

 

[Pasty]

As some of you know i started my glamping site this year for the first time. As has been mentioned before about the pay off time 1 year is not really accurate. Yes it pays off the intial cost of the tents but doesnt not see the rest of the campsite paid for. For a fully furnished 5m bell tent, electric and bedding, prices start at £80 for 2 then £5 per person after for a max of 5 inside. The cabin is £80 a night it has an en suite in it but only has the ability to keep 2 people. If any one has any questions id be more than happy to, give figures etc. Website below if you want to check us out.

http://www.swannsbridge.com/

Just a quick note. It may be my PC but when I click on 'activities', the rest of the links stop working. Something maybe broke there?

 

[Goatherderess]

I have a small wild campsite - no facilities, just a tap. I have a Forest camp every year for 2 weeks and this year an overnight camp for cyclists which was brilliant - £6 pp and there were 73 of them! For me, groups are best. This also looks a good idea - http://www.wildsweden.com/kolarbyn-ecolodge/