For rural landowners, hospitality entrepreneurs, and farmers across the UK, glamping continues to grow as one of the most profitable and sustainable ways to diversify land use.
But starting a glamping business isn’t just about placing a few pods in a field—it’s about creating an exceptional guest experience, navigating planning laws, and building a strong return on investment.
At Heritage Garden Studios, we help our clients go beyond the basics. Our high-end glamping lodges for sale are custom-built using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS), ensuring architectural integrity, year-round comfort, and long-term performance. But what truly sets us apart is the depth of insight and support we offer across the entire journey, from feasibility to full delivery.
Having spent over 30 years in corporate marketing and a decade living on a working farm, I bring a unique perspective to the glamping conversation. I understand both the strategic commercial drivers behind a successful venture and the very real practicalities of rural life. That blend of experience is what underpins our approach to every project.
Over the past 18 months, I’ve led the feasibility and planning for a five-lodge glamping site in Yorkshire. The site presented typical challenges: part of a National Landscape, sections in Flood Zone 3, and questions around access and utilities. While that project didn’t progress to build stage, it gave me direct, up-to-date insight into:
- What planning authorities are really looking for
- How to design for compliance and guest appeal
- What kind of ROI can landowners realistically expect
- Where to invest for long-term value and sustainability
That knowledge now informs how we support our clients—whether they’re launching a new glamping site in the UK from scratch, adding accommodation to an existing estate, or upgrading a hospitality business with premium SIPS lodges.
Our team doesn’t just build buildings. We help you:
- Understand your market and target guests
- Plan for financial sustainability and revenue generation
- Navigate UK planning permission for glamping sites
- Design and deliver standout, regulation-compliant accommodation
We also support you with marketing insight, helping you launch and promote your glamping brand with clarity and confidence. Because a beautiful lodge is only half the story—it needs the right message, the right pricing, and the right guest experience to thrive.
We’d love to share what we’ve learned if you’re exploring glamping as a business opportunity. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but it can be a rewarding and commercially strong venture with the right approach.
Sarah Barlow is the Founder and Managing Director of Heritage Garden Studios, a UK-based design and build specialist for luxury glamping lodges, garden buildings, and SIPS extensions. She combines strategic marketing expertise with practical rural knowledge to help landowners unlock the full potential of their lan
