Farm Stay FAQs – Members and Press

Audience – Farm Stay members / new members / Press
 

Member Case Studies 

Pickwell Barton Cottage, Devon

As a long-standing family farm overlooking the beaches of Putsborough and Woolacombe, Pickwell Barton Cottage has combined farming with tourism for decades. But being part of Farm Stay UK has helped take that offering further, connecting the business with guests specifically looking for authentic farm-based holidays.

The farm has been in the family since 1921 and now spans 600 acres of sheep and arable farming. The cottage, which sleeps up to six guests, has been welcoming visitors for around 50 years as part of the farm’s diversification.

Guests stay in a traditional, family-focused cottage with modern comforts, enjoying walking routes from the door, coastal views and the chance to experience farm life first-hand, from lambing through to harvest.

Joining Farm Stay UK has helped strengthen the visibility of the business beyond its local area, putting it in front of guests actively searching for countryside stays and allowing the family to showcase both their accommodation and their farming way of life. It has supported their ongoing diversification while keeping the focus on what makes the farm unique.

Broome Park Farm B&B, Shropshire

For a family farm that has been running since 1897, welcoming guests through a B&B offering was a natural extension, but being part of Farm Stay UK has helped position that offering more clearly within the rural tourism market.

Broome Park Farm B&B is set on the Shropshire and Worcestershire border, offering two ensuite rooms within a farmhouse setting, alongside a private guest living and dining space. The wider farm remains a mixed operation of beef, sheep and arable farming, keeping the agricultural roots at the heart of the business.

Guests are drawn to the personal approach, from locally sourced breakfasts to the opportunity to get involved in farm life through activities such as lamb feeding and egg collecting.

Through Farm Stay UK, the business has been able to reach guests who are specifically looking for this kind of experience, rather than competing in the wider accommodation market. It has helped strengthen bookings, build trust with new audiences and support the long-term sustainability of the diversification.

Ilderton Dod Barns, Northumberland

Located within Northumberland National Park, Ilderton Dod Barns offers a truly remote farm stay experience, something that has become even more valuable since joining Farm Stay UK.

The business forms part of a third-generation hill farm, with two converted barns providing accommodation for couples, families and groups. The setting is one of the most remote self-catering locations in England, offering complete peace, dark skies and direct access to the surrounding landscape.

Guests come for the sense of escape, but also for the connection to farm life, with opportunities to visit the family’s in-bye farm during lambing and shearing.

Being part of Farm Stay UK has helped the business reach a more targeted audience, those actively seeking rural and farm-based stays, rather than relying on broader booking platforms. It has strengthened their visibility as a unique destination and supported the continued growth of their diversification into tourism.

Broadgate Farm Cottages, Yorkshire

Since opening in 2009, Broadgate Farm Cottages has grown into a well-established rural accommodation business, and being part of Farm Stay UK has played an important role in positioning it within the farm stay sector.

Set on a working sheep farm in the Yorkshire Wolds, the business offers seven self-catering cottages, sleeping up to 40 guests in total. Designed to suit everything from couples to multi-generational groups, the cottages combine high-quality interiors with a strong sense of place.

Guests are drawn to the setting, with walking and cycling routes from the door, as well as the opportunity to experience farm life and the surrounding countryside.

Farm Stay UK provides an additional platform to showcase the business to the right audience, those looking for high-quality accommodation that is rooted in a working farm environment. It supports ongoing visibility, reinforces credibility and helps ensure the business stands out in an increasingly competitive market.

Cowden Farmhouse, Aberdeenshire

For Cowden Farmhouse, joining Farm Stay UK has provided a way to share a very personal and distinctive offering with a wider audience looking for something beyond a standard holiday let.

Set in a completely private rural location, the farmhouse sleeps up to eight guests and is part of a working farm built up over time by the family. The experience is shaped by that journey, from the hands-on farming background to the highly individual interiors created by the owner.

Guests are encouraged to fully immerse themselves in the surroundings, whether that’s exploring the gardens, meeting the animals or simply spending time together away from everyday life.

Farm Stay UK has helped position the property within a community of like-minded rural businesses, making it easier to connect with guests who value that experience. It has supported both visibility and bookings, while allowing the business to retain its individuality and personal approach.

Hareley Barn, Herefordshire

Hareley Barn is part of a working farm focused on rare breed livestock and traditional land management, and joining Farm Stay UK has helped bring that story to a wider audience.

The restored stone barn offers accommodation for up to four guests, providing a simple, comfortable base in a quiet rural setting. Guests are drawn to the views, the walking routes and the chance to learn more about the farm and its animals.

As a smaller, single-unit offering, visibility is key, and Farm Stay UK helps ensure the property is seen by guests specifically searching for farm-based accommodation, rather than getting lost among larger booking platforms.

Being part of the network supports the farm’s diversification, helping to attract the right kind of guest while maintaining the integrity of both the accommodation and the farming operation.

How can I boost the income on my farm?

The farming industry is going through a challenging time and lots of farms are trying to diversify. There are many ways to diversify on a farm including creating holiday accommodation on your farm. Farm Stay, an online platform, can provide advice to set up successful farm accommodation to diversify your business and boost the income for your farm.

What are the best ways to diversify a farm?

There are lots of good ways to diversify your farm business – hosting events, launching new products, and changing the use of your farm. One of the best ways is to create holiday accommodation on your farm, creating a successful new revenue stream for your farm business. The Farm Stay website provides lots of useful advice to farmers considering this option.

Who can I talk to about farm diversification?

There is lots of advice about how to best diversify your farm business, including online and through trade associations. Farm Stay, specialists in farm or rural accommodation, is a valuable resource for people wanting to consider creating accommodation on their farm as part of their farm diversification.

Where is the best place to list my farm stay and farm accommodation?

Lots of accommodation providers and platforms list farm accommodation, but it is worth considering who best matches your requirements. Farm Stay is considered the leading platform for farms looking to diversify and provide accommodation.  It is also worth considering places to list your accommodation that do not charge commission and that can attract the guests that you want to host on your farm – people that respect farms, the outdoors, the environment, nature and your rural surroundings.

How can I get more bookings for my farm stay and farm accommodation?

A good way to get more bookings for your farm stay and farm accommodation is to join a specialist association or develop marketing that will attract new guests. Farm Stay is a member organisation that supports farmers who are diversifying their farm business, and by pooling resources the farmers within the membership help attract more bookings.

Are there any companies who promote farm accommodation?

For farmers looking to promote their farm accommodation, we suggest you consider your key requirements and partner with organisations like Farm Stay who have the best interests of the farm at the heart of their mission – to promote and protect the interests of the farm, to attract the right guests at the right time of year, and to create a sustainable farm accommodation business.

How do I use the media to promote my farm accommodation?

Using the media – and social media – can be an effective way of promoting farm accommodation in the UK. A good review, positive content showing your farm accommodation, and positive press coverage and the word of mouth that spreads from. it can all boost your bookings. Membership organisations such as Farm Stay have a dedicated team and budget to help market their member’s farm business.

How can I use social media to boost bookings at my farm?

Positive social media can be a great way to promote your farm business and boost bookings. Farm Stay offers their members support with social media to help with professional content creation to generate more engagement, leading to more exposure and increased bookings for your farm accommodation.