Wowee, what a first season in the world of glamping we have just had! It has felt a little like being on a non-stop roller coaster and it is only now, as we close our doors (or tent flaps), at our season’s end that I am able to take a deep breath, (one that reaches every extremity of the body), release it very slowly and fully absorb the events of the last eight months.
Like many other accommodation providers, we had hoped to welcome our first guests in the spring, but of course the world wide pandemic had other ideas and by the time 4th of July arrived (D-Day in the hospitality world) it wasn’t just us chomping at the bit to get going.
As many 2020 holiday makers had to change their travel plans, the UK self-catering market suddenly became very popular. Before we knew it, our summer luxury glamping offering was fully booked.
We have been blessed with the most wonderful guests.
As we are a brand new site, with no testimonials for holiday makers to refer to before choosing to stay with us, we were incredibly grateful to those who found us and did come.
It was amazing to read how much they all enjoyed our accommodation. To know that we had “thought of everything”, that the “disco showers” were great fun, that fish were being caught (and released again) in Pondwood and to hear the laughter of families as they enjoyed the meadow field for games of football or lighting of fire pits and toasting of marshmallows.
We have had walkers, runners, cyclists – explorers all!
Even when the weather was against us, quite literally “sideways rain”, the tents remained snug and dry. The stoves were lit and pizzas cooked in the top ovens. The electric blankets were switched on and all remained toasty in a hygge like state.
We have been graced with some gorgeous sunsets and sunrises (for those early birds). And the autumn has proved to be a rather stunning one this year too.
To know that we have been able to provide a sanctuary, a “distraction from the craziness of the world”, that when saying goodbye to our guests they seem so much more relaxed than when they first arrived, as an accommodation provider, is truly a wonderful feeling. We had one family return for a second stay with us – the biggest compliment of them all.
Our next step, one that I have been putting off with sad reluctance, will be to pack the contents of the tents up and tuck them in for their long winter’s nap. It will be strange to see them empty but next spring will, no doubt, be with us soon enough and lets hope the world will be a different place by then.
The word on the street is that staycations will remain popular for next year so it’s probably time to start thinking about your 2021 holiday.
We re-open 26th March, so don’t delay book today!