Glamping At Its Best
MiPod Solutions is a family-run business manufacturing bespoke Glamping Pods and Shepherd Huts. With over 50 years’ experience in joinery manufacture, MiPod Solutions have developed the knowledge and expertise needed to design luxury glamping pods. All of our units are manufactured in our workshop allowing us to provide a quality, low maintenance, long-lasting structure; delivering excellent value for money. All of our pods come self-contained with a selection of optional extras. A clean and elegant finish has become the signature of our work with a spacious interior not seen by any of our competitors. Recognised for the unique arch, stunning finish and spacious design, MiPod is dedicated to delivering a premium product for commercial and personal use. MiPod Glamping Pods present a lucrative investment opportunity for all customers, with short-term holiday lets in high demand as the UK holiday market enjoys continued growth. We want to make it possible for everyone to enjoy a standout, luxurious experience without compromises. Our Range We have a broad range of Glamping Pods and Shepherd Huts with various layout options. Starting from £17,500, a selection of finishes is available including exterior tile colour, fascia and gables; internal kitchen unit and worktop colours as well as a selection of main doors and windows. These are available to view at www.mipod.solutions. Built on a steel chassis with wheels, MiPod units are easily transportable and a benefit to any park owner or individual wanting mobility and flexibility. An alternative chassis is available in which the wheels can be removed and your glamping pod lowered if required, perfect for those wanting lower accessibility. All of our pods have a fitted kitchenette, bathroom, double bed, seating, storage, heating and Velux style rooflight, as well as a selection of optional extras you may wish to add. Kitchenettes include a draw unit, base units, sink and drainer, 2 ring hob (gas or electric) as well as a food prep unit or extended worktop housing a fridge and built-in microwave grill. Bathrooms are fitted with a cubical shower, toilet and basin; a wet room option is available. All of our units operate on LPG and mains electric; an all-weather LPG boiler is mounted to the rear of the pod which can be converted to natural gas if required. Once your specification has been agreed, you can leave it with us to fulfil your order to the highest standard. We take care to ensure you have the information necessary to complete your ground works ready for your pods. Having manufactured and supplied pods throughout the UK and Europe, from wedding venues to holiday parks, farm diversity or individuals for personal use, we can do it all. To take a look at what we could do for you, visit https://www.mipod.solutions/find-our-pods. Planning and Finance If you require assistance with planning or finance, we are here to help. Planning permission may be required for your glamping pod, we always recommend checking with your local authorities and discussing the project before proceeding. We have an excellent planning consultant and architect who can assist you in the process from start to finish. If you would like to explore financing or hire purchase options for your glamping pod, please let us know and we can put you in contact with our trusted consultants. Where to find us Why not come and visit us at The Glamping Show, NAEC Stoneleigh from 15th-17th September to see our amazing range for yourself! To view our full range or to have a chat, get in touch below. Use code PODMAG to be in with a chance of winning a free bottle of champagne! www.mipod.solutions E: info@mipod.solutions T: 01482 229283 Alternatively, you can also find us at: https://www.mipod.solutions
Wedmore Shepherd Huts create spectacular living spaces combining traditional shepherd huts with luxury
Wedmore Shepherd Huts create spectacular living spaces that combine traditional shepherd huts with luxury. From charming garden retreats, delightful offices, and impressive self-contained accommodation. We offer various designs & layouts for your guests to enjoy! For weekend breaks or holidays away a custom-made self- contained accommodation shepherd hut is an alternative to be considered. Featured in Country Life & Somerset Life magazines we pride ourselves on giving your guests the best experience from a stay in our Wedmore Shepherd Huts. Our huts are made by hand, with thoughtful design performance and attention to detail, using high quality materials. Our passion is to deliver a high crafted product with long lasting use, so summer after summer you can benefit from guests choosing to return for a visit. A Wedmore Shepherd hut is a tasteful, distinctive way to make the most of your outdoor space and there are plenty of luxurious options to choose from that meet your specific needs. Designed to be used all year round they come with underfloor heating, they are fully insulated, with a kitchen area, ensuite, sleeping and dining areas’, all connected technology & fixtures and fittings commensurate with 5* deluxe property Wedmore Shepherd Huts, based in Somerset are expert makers of inspiring spaces, creating layouts that suits your every need on a variety of chassis sizes from 14ft, 16ft, 18ft or 20ft in length, externally finished in cedar or ‘wrinkly tin’ cladding. Beautifully finished with care and attention by our experienced team to the highest standard of craftmanship. We pride ourselves on quality & service we offer, we provide design support, guidance & product warranty. Order now for a 2022 delivery date! Find out more telephone: 07771 332 072 info@wedmoreshepherdhuts.co.uk or visit wedmoreshepherdhuts.co.uk
How do I make my glampsite stand out after lockdown?
Glampsites have increased in popularity since their inception in the mid-noughties. The staycation boom had already started pre-Covid but this year, foreign travel options are still looking decidedly shaky. Glampsite operators say this uncertainty has led to bookings going through the roof, with some already turning down summer bookings while off-peak slots are filling fast. However, even in the midst of a market boom, there’s no place for complacency – 2020 profits were hit hard thanks to the spring lockdown, and it’s important for glampsite managers to keep in mind the long-game to ensure they see a healthy ROI in future. So how can you improve your glamping facilities this year, so your site remains a must-visit destination in 2022 and even beyond? Here, we take a look at two fantastic businesses – a glamping site and a pod manufacturer – that are ready to hit the 2021 season with a bang – and have no intention of slowing down thanks to some creative thinking and clever investment… A glampsite that’s truly glamourous! Marking its 7th year in the glamping arena, Mrs Mills’ Yurts continues to add to its customer offering, with the most recent addition being a glampervan that can be taken off-site. Mrs Mills’ Yurts is the brainchild of husband-and-wife duo, Nicola and Gary Mills, which launched in 2015 on National Trust Landmark May Hill, Gloucestershire. Wanting to escape London and the suffocation of being in a great, grey city of busyness – and having watched too many home improvement programmes – the duo fell in love with a tired farmhouse on a hill overlooking the Cotswolds. Following a period of serious restoration, which involved the couple and their children staying in a kitsch caravan themselves, Mrs Mills’ Yurts was born. While glamping was still relatively new and a novel offering, Nicola was adamant that she wanted to put her style and taste into the business. And it was her love for novels, especially those by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which inspired the flamboyant designs and the names of the yurts too: Zelda, Hildegarde, Tanaduke and Gatsby. Each yurt offers the ultimate indulgent glamping. Sleeping up to four people, each has its own private bathroom with luxury sandalwood toiletries and flowers, luxury linen and soft cotton towels and bathrobes, and extravagant sheepskin throws to keep glampers warm around the campfire. Cream teas are offered on arrival and a mouth-watering breakfast hamper is also delivered, filled to the brim with local produce. The hosts also arrange for daily tea and buns served in the “home from home” kitchen, and offer an extensive and delightful range of home-cooked meals from the campfire menu. For that added indulgence and to further relax glampers, three of the yurts also have a private wood-fired hot tub. The start of 2020 saw Amory added to the family collection; a glampervan that can be driven off-site and to any destination where the heart desires. Amory is the ultimate glampervan for wild camping; featuring a solar panel on the roof and the interior decked out just as the yurts themselves are – no corners are cut, that’s for sure. While many campervans come bare, Amory comes with everything from beautiful bedding and linen, through to champagne glasses, cloth napkins and even a cheese hamper to be enjoyed while on an adventure. Restrictions permitting, people are now booking Amory for trips abroad as well as touring the UK. It offers the full glamping experience wherever the glamper wishes to experience it. Nicola and Gary have no end of secret gems to suggest, and Amory allows you to choose a difference location every day. Nicola Mills, co-founder of Mayhill Glamping, said: “We pride ourselves on offering something totally luxurious, indulgent and extremely stylish at our rural retreat. Everything at Mrs Mills’ Yurts comes with a nod to the jazz age, from the sheepskin rugs and the garish gold beds, through to the wood-fired hot tubs. “Our Yurts are indulgent hotel rooms under the stars – they’re to my style and taste and it’s always lovely to get such positive and warm feedback when people come to stay with us. “We’re especially excited to launch our glampervan; we’ve had it just over a year now, but this year is when it’ll really get its chance to shine.” As well as being within a short distance from many great local pubs, attractions and stunning walking routes, Mrs Mills’ Yurts is also a short distance from the Cotswolds, Cheltenham and the Wye Valley, situated between Gloucester and Ross-on-Wye. Check out the glampsite at mayhillglamping.co.uk. Boxing clever with Maverick glamping pods Park operators are now looking at how every inch of property can be used to its full revenue potential, especially with increased demand for 2021 bookings. With attention predominantly turning towards lucrative accommodation options, now is the time to test the viability of expanding sites before having to heavily invest in complex infrastructure and committing to a large-scale public offering. Luxury temporary accommodation provider Caboose & Co. has produced a revolutionary travel pod, The Maverick, that will be the wingman of many a park operator this summer season. Caboose & Co’s managing director Tom Critchley says: “Having managed temporary accommodation sites for over 15 years, I’ve a wealth of valuable expertise when it comes to guest hospitality and assisting pop-up hotels, resorts and festivals diversify their offering. We work with landowners seeking to transform their sites into sought-after holiday destinations – whether that be for caravans, glamping or camping.” Born from wanting to solve the challenges faced when sourcing sleeping spots, Tom and his team supply shipping containers converted to the highest of industry standards, the cosy rooms can be simply and quickly deployed anywhere. Joining its impressive 54-strong converted container fleet, the first-of-its-kind product named The Maverick has been brought to the UK staycation and glamping markets as a direct response to increased staycations following COVID-19 international travel restrictions. With The Maverick also available with a hard deck atop the structure, it enables outdoor hospitality and event organisers the flexibility to
Cornwall’s staycation market fuels demand for boutique holiday homes
The fallout of Brexit, improving transport links and an expanding holiday home market are helping Cornwall to cement its position as the UK’s favourite staycation destination, said property agency Spot Blue International Property in November, adding that the county also has increasing appeal to foreign tourists. A recent survey by a leading high street bank showed that 31 per cent of British staycationers planned to visit Cornwall this year, making the south-western county the UK’s most popular region. In addition, more than half (52 per cent) of people surveyed said they would take most or all of this year’s holiday in the UK, with 31 per cent saying they intend to spend more time in the UK than previous years. Another survey by a leading rental company revealed that 66 per cent of British people enjoyed a staycation last year, representing a 10 per cent rise compared to 2017. “Evidence points to British people being spooked by both the weak pound, pushing up the costs associated with overseas holidays, and the fear of possible travel disruption once they can no longer travel as EU citizens,” said Mr Walker at Spot Blue International Property. “The natural response of many is to choose the safety of the UK for their annual holidays, helped by the recent warmer summers. Already a popular costal destination with famous beaches and popular towns like Padstow Newquay and St Ives, not to mention the Eden Project, Cornwall is well placed to benefit from this trend in 2019 and beyond.” Constantly improving air access also is helping to drive tourism in Cornwall, home to the UK’s fastest growing airport. During the 2018-19 financial year, 461,000 passengers passed through Cornwall Airport Newquay, making it the fifth consecutive year of growth and best year ever for the airport. Key new routes launched this year include four daily services to London Heathrow, and services to London Southend, Jersey and Guernsey, and Copenhagen. New or improved routes for 2020 include Glasgow, Aberdeen, Norwich and Newcastle. These complement the airport’s existing services to other regional UK airports, as well as its popular London Gatwick and Manchester services. In addition to domestic visitors, Cornwall is attracting a growing number of foreign tourists, with German holidaymakers comprising one of the region’s strongest growth markets. In response to this, German carrier Eurowings now connects Cornwall with four German cities, namely Berlin, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt Hahn. Off the back of all this, we predict a rise in demand for desirable accommodation, both for rentals and ownership,” continued Mr Walker. “Purpose-built, fully managed holiday communities with on-site facilities are a growing sector of the Cornish market. We are pleased to be promoting a range of boutique lodges within a holiday park near Newquay. The world-class leisure facilities there include pools, water sports activities, an inflatable aqua park, playgrounds, a Spa and beauty centre, and places to eat and drink. For investors, there is the option to enter your property into a rental scheme, delivering a seven per cent return.” For further information about buying opportunities in Cornwall, contact: Spot Blue International Property Tel: +44 (0)20 8339 6036 Email: info@spotblue.com Website: www.spotblue.com
Create a 5-star retreat with FDomes Glamping
Have you ever dreamt about going beyond the ordinary? Would you like to upgrade your resort to a 5-star quality? Would you like to achieve higher income per night? Would you like to attract a new group of guests? Would you like to extend your season or book stays all year round, regardless of the season? If you have answered “yes” to at least one of these questions you should definitely get to know FDomes Glamping. The out-of-the-box geodome kits provide deluxe outdoor lodging with an extra touch of originality. Luxury glamping pods may be set up in areas where hotels are impossible to build. The benefits of FDomes cannot be counted but there are some especially worth highlighting. Glamping attracts new types of customers, including those who like the idea of staying outdoors but seek for spots having all mod cons. Your guests will have all the benefits of staying in untouched locations without the hassle of rolling out of the sleeping bags. Geodesic domes stand out among other types of tents and outdoor accommodations because of its unconventional shape and unique, airy interiors. Not only can you set up a new glamping resort but you can also expand your current business with a new type of pods – creating VIP interiors for guests who are eager to pay premium for a unique and Instagramable experience. To make the FDome Glamping interior more luxurious, you can decide on a personalized all-in cubitat divided by function. In its basic version, you will find a cleverly designed bathroom with a shower, a washbasin and a toilet. Comfort has been addressed with a big mirror and elegant arranged cupboards that hide a water heater inside. If you wish to provide your guests with a feeling of “homeliness” or there is no restaurant near your resort or you do not offer meals; the sleek and modern kitchen, equipped with a sink, induction hot plates and a small fridge can be added. Chic cabinets make space for small appliances creating this galley kitchen blend into a living space. To make the interior design even easier, you may also decide on a show-stopping bedroom with plenty of cabinet space for extra storage. When planning a gateway for families, you may wish to consider a mezzanine, which can serve as a second bedroom. All these modules are available in a mix and match model depending on your needs. Just connect water, sewage and electricity and you are ready to accommodate your first visitors. All the modules can not only be used in FDomes Glamping but also in any camping, glamping, cabin, hotel or anywhere you need, as the cubitat is a stand-alone solution. Additionally, you have many types of furniture sets to choose from. Divided into living spaces, like a living room or a dining room, they are carefully selected to suit any dome size. Combining personality and great design is something FDomes interior designers have achieved. The main thought when creating the furniture sets was the aforementioned feeling of “homeliness” (the term used by Line Nevers Krabbenhøft). According to Nevers Krabbenhøft, there are four parameters creating the need of “homeliness”, and these are wellbeing, authenticity, feeling safe and community. Wellbeing stands for being here and now, appreciating the free time as nowadays time is luxury. Therefore, we need to focus on creating the welcoming and comfortable atmosphere supporting self-insight. You may wish to resign from Wi-Fi, provide meditation classes or simply put aromatherapy candles in the interior to make your guests feel the peace and harmony, and to slow down their everyday run called life. Authenticity is uniqueness and personality. These two will be supported by remote locations and non-standard accommodation, like FDomes Glamping. You may want to stand out from the crowd, offering your guests individually decorated interiors, homemade food or local activities. Another important aspect influencing “homeliness” is feeling safe. What does it mean? It may be achieved by creating private spheres with a kitchen and living area that are not offered in major hotels. This will have your guests feel safe, just as they would be in their own home. Community is supported by the sense of belonging. Focus on handwritten notes, photos and perhaps a personal welcome. Do not forget that food connects people. Offer your guests a picnic basket, invite them to dine together as a group or organize a bonfire. Setting up a glamping resort or upgrading the already existing one has never been easier. FDomes has taken glamping into a new level with its glorious and complex solution. What you need is to add a pinch of “homeliness”. For more information click here
Outstanding’s opens UK Glamping showroom
Times have been crazy, COVID19 brought uncertainty to everyone in the holiday industry. However, the resilience of the industry make James and Suzie King proud. As Glamping advisors for Outstanding, supplier of safari tents, they stayed in touch with their customers on a daily base over the past months. “Off course, I wish they didn’t have to, but the way campsites and holiday parks make the necessary adjustments makes me proud.” James says. “They are doing the best they can, all to ensure that they can welcome their guests and give them the holiday they deserve. That is something I think bodes well for a positive future for our industry.” The benefits of glamping during Corona Both James and Suzie look to the future in a positive light. “The many advantages of glamping are proving themselves now!” Suzie says. “Where better to spend a holiday during Corona than in a safari tent?” She has a point. Most tents are located on spacious sites, have their own sanitary facilities and usually have their own kitchen and spacious dining area. No hassle with complicated walking routes through the toilet block and it is not necessary to eat outside the door, which makes it easy to avoid crowds. “Fresh air and ventilation are important factors to keep the virus out. Our safari tents have ventilation windows all around and even a breathable tent cloth! This way, guests experience all the benefits of being outside, despite being in a tent!” Sanitary safari tent Outstanding is known for its creativity and drive for innovation. Also in these uncertain times they have proven themselves to be real problem solvers. They have gotten busy making their brand stronger and improving their product range. During the lockdown they have developed a Sanitary tent. A creative solution to add private sanitary facilities to a campsite within 4 weeks. “Like said before, glamping during Corona has its benefits.” James says. “However, we spoke to several campsite owners that have bought safari tents without sanitary in the past. While communal sanitary facilities had to stay closed, they weren’t able to welcome guests in the tents. That is why we decided to transform our two-person safari tent into a special sanitary edition. The sanitary tent could be placed next to the safari tents serving as an external but still private bathroom. A ready-made bathroom with vinyl floor, a toilet, a washbasin and even a shower cabin!” If that isn’t the best example of their positive mind and solution-oriented character, we don’t know what is! New Glamping Show Village in Melbourn How James and Suzie spend their days during lockdown? By building up their Outstanding outdoor showroom. All uncertainty didn’t prevent them from acting. “To wait and see was not an option.” James says. “We were in full preparations to open our brand new showroom in Melbourn. In the past months we have built our Glamping Show Village with our own hands. My wife Suzie, our son and I decided to roll up our sleeves, stayed focused and it paid off. We opened our outdoor tent display in June, all visitors are pleased with the result and so are we!” he says proudly, and rightly so. The site is Britain’s first multiple tent display and it looks wonderful. Visitors get the opportunity to view the glamping tents and to ask James and Suzie about all benefits that glamping offers. Suzie is more than happy to give us a brief tour through the very diverse glamping tents. Starting with their smallest tent. “Our XS Safari tent is the perfect hiking tent. This way, guests who only stay one night can still camp in luxury. But it’s also a great choice when there are a lot of children on the camping site? It’s more fun for them to have their own glamping tents. And for the campsite owner, the XS safari tent is a great investment because of its low price.” Suzie speaks enthusiastically, while she walks on to the next safari tent, the biggest one on site. The clipped gable roof and the entrance immediately stand out. The special design and the large windows give it a unique look. “This is our Safari Cottage, one of our latest models and an absolute eye-cather! Our Safari Cottage is characterised by classical elements. This is a safari tent with a very individual appearance – if you’re familiar with roof structures, you’ll have noted that we’ve been inspired by the traditional gable style. But this safari tent is not just differentiated by its classic good looks. It’s more spacious than the other safari tents because of its unique size. The Cottage has an indoor surface area of 5.5 to 6.5 metres. In addition to looking beautiful and unique, this model is very efficient and functional in the context of layout!” Last but not least Suzie walks us to a medium sized safari tent with big windows. The Compact safari tent. “This one here, got its name for a reason.” She explains. “With an internal width of 4 metres, the Compact is narrower than most safari tents. If lack of space is an issue or campsites want to make optimal use of the space they have, this tent is the perfect solution.” It has all the essentials for luxury camping: kitchen, bedrooms and a terrace. This tent is perhaps a bit narrower and lower but still looks large due to the large windows in the front. You can visit www.outstandingtent.co.uk/discover-our-glamping-tents/ to make an appointment. James and Suzie are happy to guide you around which is without a doubt the best way to discover their Glamping tents and to find out why Outstanding is called market leader in design and quality!
Glamp-Tankology with Glampsan
At Glampsan, we hope that your glamping business is thriving. We know that your business is all about putting your guests first: after all, they spend their hard-earned cash with you, to relax. Moreover, they want to spend time with family and friends and stay ‘off-grid’ and what’s more, glampers wish for the same home-from-home comforts. So, hot and cold running water, a shower and private flushing toilets is a must. These days getting rid of all that whiffy waste is much more sophisticated than ‘a bucket and chuck it!’ That’s why we’ve got you covered at Glampsan. Glampsan is a division of Plastic Solutions (Aldridge) Ltd – a market-leading supplier of plastic effluent waste tanks, potable water tanks, portable urinals and composting toilets as well as waste pumps and spares for all your sewage sanitation needs and, much more. We have over six decades of collective experience in the sanitation industry within the management team alone supplying our products all over the UK and Continental Europe. Glampsan is a new division providing our wealth of past expertise and amazing products to the growing glamping, camping and caravanning sectors. Simple and more complex solutions As a new or expanding glamping business, you will no doubt wish to get moving quickly. However, one of your biggest “headaches” might be dealing with all the effluent. It’s surprising how much effluent waste your holiday guests produce in a few days, let alone a week! On average, a glamper can produce around 100-150 plus litres a day of wastewater. That includes a shower and several toilet visits and minimal water for cooking. Therefore, at Glampsan, we have you covered. We can provide you with simple waste solutions to match your desire to get into the business quickly that require minimal red-tape and few complications. So, our range of sewage Flat-Tanks is a flexible and ideal starting point. Later on, as your glamping site expands, it may need a more sophisticated approach at some point. We have you covered here too with our pumped solutions. Further down the road still, it might then be time to plan for a septic tank or sewage handling plant. Glampsan Tankology Our smallest waste tanks start at 160-320-gallon configurations. Our most popular products, however, are our larger 500, 750 and 1000-gallon Flat-Tanks. All our plastic tanks install quickly and, importantly, don’t need complex planning permissions and very little groundwork preparation either. What’s more, they adapt to all the evolving needs of all varieties of glamping accommodations, caravanners, and campers. Unlike steel tanks, our entire Flat-Tank range is made from sturdy plastics; they are easy to deliver and position. No single-use plastics here! They are durable, lightweight, long-lasting and don’t cost the earth either. Another essential feature is that our tanks are all low profile. That means that they can install easily, unobtrusively and quickly under (or nearby) any glamping unit, not seen or noticed. Furthermore, they can be easily moved around as your glamping site grows in the future. We have a range of pumps as well that effortlessly and silently take waste away to any convenient location near or far. There are no ‘whiffy-waste’ smells either. Our customers love our range of waste handling products, so we think you will like them too. You’ll see a difference straight away. From the very first day of use, all of our waste systems will make you and your customers happy and stay healthy. That means they will come back again and again. Most of all, you’ll be able to focus on growing your business with no ‘whiffy-waste’ worries or ‘nasty-niffs.’ Glampsan – a division of Plastic Solutions (Aldridge) Limited 0800 999 6010 or +44 (0)1922 687545 www.glampsan.com or info@glampsan.com
Holiday parks – trendspotting for the 2020 season
As the ever-changing landscape of the tourism sector evolves at pace, editor Victoria Galligan catches up with industry experts to find out what holiday parks should be doing to draw in visitors for the 2020 season… If there was a crystal ball to predict what would be big in tourism in two or three years’ time, then I’m sure many of you would be clamouring after one so you could plan ahead and guarantee a fantastic return on investment. Pouring money into a park’s infrastructure, facilities and providing the entertainment which will prove a draw to customers both new and familiar usually pays off – but thanks to the changes in the economy, technology and standard of living which the UK has experienced over the past decade or so, parks need to be bang on trend to beat the competition in the booking stakes. This is where market research and sharing best practice comes in. Of course, every park is different and what attracts customers to one site may put off the regulars at another. But finding out what your customers want and need could mean the difference between a mediocre season and a great one. And looking around at the competition may give you a steer – even if it’s in a completely different direction! When it comes to the 2019 season Rod Tucker, MD of Hoburne Holidays which operates eight holiday parks across the south and south west of England, said when it comes to unit sales both ends of the market are looking healthy. Rod said: “We are currently seeing a lot of activity at the entry level and luxury end of the caravan sales market, with plenty of interest for high quality used caravans and lodges, which we anticipate carrying on into 2020. We expect the UK ‘staycation’ holiday trend to continue in 2020, due to the uncertainty of the economic climate.” Changing demographic of holiday park visitors Thanks to the rise of online booking, holiday prices can be compared quickly and easily – which is having an effect on holiday prices. Rod said: “In holiday rentals, people are becoming continually more price conscious and this is reflected in pressure on holiday prices. However, the recent issues at airports and the weakness of the pound continues to support the demand for UK holidays.” Rod said that although more and more grandparents are footing the bill for family holiday homes, the younger market is increasing too as large group breaks prove popular. He added: “We are seeing a wider range of age groups at our holiday parks across the holiday rental and holiday home sales markets, although the main trend in caravan and lodges sales continues to be grandparents buying holiday homes to share usage with their children and grandchildren. “There are many more younger people looking at our product than ever before and increasing demand for three and four bedroom caravans and lodges, reflecting the trend of extended families holidaying together, as well as groups of friends.” Ready Camp, operated by The Camping and Caravanning Club, have found that since the first appearance of glamping, the industry and accommodation continues to evolve at high speed – becoming more inventive and quirky to suit a range of customer needs. This shows no signs of slowing down, as more and more glamping opportunities surface, offering unique holiday experiences. With that comes an extremely competitive online marketplace. The team there said that continuous product enhancements and exceptional service will lead the way to a successful 2020 season. Meanwhile, Ready Camp’s coastal locations and the north of England continue to exceed on capacity. The most significant change the brand has seen is the number of units required for a single booking, with many customers now booking two or more tents at a time for friends and family. Fun – whatever the weather The demand for family entertainment is clearly growing and this provides the perfect opportunity for parks to offer activities which can rival other parks throughout the year. With a focus on health and wellbeing, many parks are investing in infrastructure to create long-lasting facilities such as running tracks, football pitches and tennis courts which can double up as event spaces. Rod said: “We are investing in more varied types of entertainment such as BMX demonstrations, cinema screenings and ‘party in the park’ events, which can be held outdoors if the weather permits.“ One answer to the ever-changing Great British weather problem is to ensure your indoor provision is top-class, says Rod: “We have been looking to weatherproof our holidays with park facilities so people can holiday with us whatever the weather. We have extended our opening season to 11 months per year to accommodate off-peak business, and owners are subsequently using their units much more and getting more use out of their investment. “Indoor swimming pools, leisure facilities, good entertainment, bars and restaurants all give holidaymakers and owners a great holiday experience all year round.” Some don’t like it hot! It’s not just the poor weather which is affecting park trends – Willerby has noticed a growing demand from customers for air-conditioning in its holiday homes and lodges, which is not surprising given that the UK is experiencing increasingly warmer weather throughout the year. Willerby’s latest model, the Vogue Classique, is the perfect example of the brand’s continued commitment to innovation and listening to its customers’ needs as air-conditioning is proving a key selling point for customers. Karolyn Charles, 49, from Stourbridge, West Mids, was the very first customer to own a Vogue Classique and said it was the air-conditioning facilities that ultimately swayed her decision. She explained that this feature would not only make a huge difference for her and her partner, but also for their 12-year-old Dalmatian who has struggled in previous heatwaves. Not only has Willerby noticed a rise in customers requesting air conditioning, but research carried out last year for Mintel’s Camping & Caravans UK report highlighted a rise in people opting for pet-friendly holidays
The Original Pod Company – The Pod Pioneers
We were the beginning of this Glamping phenomenon and are the largest pod manufacturer in the UK. Our pod design has been copied many times, but the true iconic design camping pod remains with us. Pod companies will come and go, but we will continue to grow year on year. We have pod agents all over the globe, we are the only company to do this, we remain sharp and adventurous and intent on all rising markets for this product, always marching forwards to gain any foot hold to secure new business for us, the future is positive and we are upbeat on current and forth coming orders. We design and build as always in our Lake District workshop, we were established well before the birth of the pod idea in 2004 and then all that came to reality in 2006, and the camping world woke up to our iconic camping pod design. Sourcing the very best of materials at all times and using the latest technology in sealants available to us, we build each pod to a solid state and a turnkey operation, we don’t build on site nor send them out as a flat pack. Our workforce of long-standing completely under stand this iconic structure and work tirelessly to bring each pod to life. Our build quality on The Original Pod Company will never alter, we maintain focus on design, we are forward thinkers and are always challenging the structure of the simple pod design. This makes us strong and solid and more than that we are reliable. We are happy to listen to all customers needs and requirements. Our yard doors are are open to show you around. We also offer an on site survey and have contacts for planning help and finance options. Once the order has been discussed and received, you will be kept informed about delivery dates and siting requirements from you. Your business with us will be stress free that I can promise! https://www.thepod.info
