Camping Barn/Bunkhouse Barn
Dormitory style accommodation, typically up to 24 persons. Targeting mainly a youth market but some older walkers, cyclists.

How to use this interactive guide?

This checklist looks at some key factors and is designed to help you decide if opening a a camping barn or bunkhouse barn is an opportunity for you and your farm or not.

Taken overall, if you answer ‘Yes’ to most of the questions posed and like the broad financials, then opening a Camping Barn/Bunkhouse Barn may well be feasible.

What's the difference between the two?

Camping Barns are more like ‘tents’ with unisex sleeping area and cooking/eating area  - visitors bring their own sleeping bags/cooking facilities.

Bunkhouse Barns are more sophisticated with bunk-beds/ mattresses, heating, water supply, flush toilets and usually kitchen.

Your Farm

• Existing building suitable for conversion to create (as a minimum):

  • shared sleeping area for 6-24, self-catering/eating area,
    toilet facilities, water supply?

  • On or close to a major walking route/destination/area?

  • Visitors not affected by undue farm noise, smells, mess etc?

  • Bunkhouse located to avoid conflict with farm operation?

You (and your family)

• Comfortable dealing with predominantly youth market and their sometimes boisterous behaviour, particularly groups of boys/young men?

• Available during lets as landlord/problem solver/holiday advisor?

• Available daily for bookings and arrivals/departures?

• Prepared for regular customer contact?

• Happy to have visitors around the farm?

• Time for continuous site cleaning and maintenance?

• Willing to accept pets and provide an exercise area.

Financials

• Capital.                          

  Camping Barn     -  £6,000 - £12,000

  Bunkhouse Barn -  £40,000 - £60,000

• Grant support.

• Potential profit.   Up to £2,000 for Camping Barns and £9,000 for Bunkhouses per year (excluding finance charges).

• Loan interest/repayment.   To repay £10,000 over 10 years @ 8% interest requires annual outlay of £1,500

What is your initial conclusion?

Looking at the above questions under Your Farm and You (and your family) and the outline Financials  -  Is this an option you should be considering?  

Would you like to continue?

Bed and Breakfast - Self-catering - Static caravan site
Camping/Touring caravan site - Camping Barn/bunkhouse
Visitor Attraction - Restaurant/Tea Room

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*This Guide has been produced by South West Tourism, working through MPA. It was originally developed with the assistance of DEFRA and EAGGF funding.