One or two camping cabins on your land
Add a simple cabin to spare land and rent it by the night to couples, families and walkers.
- £8k-35k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
15,500 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 55209 “Other holiday and other collective accommodation”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
One or two simple, well-insulated cabins on land you already own or have the right to use, let by the night as basic holiday accommodation. Guests bring their own food and enjoy the setting.
Your first three steps
- Speak to your local council planning team about whether a cabin on your land needs permission
- Price up a ready-built cabin against a self-build, and work out your likely nightly rate by checking similar local listings
- Set up a listing on a booking platform with good photos and a simple calendar
Who pays
Couples, families, walkers, cyclists and anyone wanting a short countryside break without a tent.
How it makes money
A nightly rate per cabin, often with a two-night minimum at weekends. Extras such as firewood, breakfast hampers or bike storage can add a little more.
Skills that help
- Basic DIY and upkeep
- Friendly, clear communication with guests
- Organising bookings and changeovers
Watch out for
- Planning permission and any change of use rules, check with your local council before buying anything
- Fire safety, gas and electrical safety checks, and a fire risk assessment for paying guests
- Public liability insurance and insurance that covers paying guests on your land
- Business rates and tax on letting income, check with the council and HMRC
- Seasonal demand, so expect quieter months in winter
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: one or two camping cabins on your land
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to add a camping cabin to your land?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on the size and quality of the cabin, insulation, utilities and furnishing. Check the costs against your own plot before buying anything.
Do I need planning permission for a camping cabin in the UK?
Check with your local council before buying anything, as planning permission and change of use rules may apply. Also check fire safety, gas and electrical safety checks, a fire risk assessment for paying guests, and business rates and tax on letting income.
How much can a camping cabin earn?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around £500 to £2,500, depending on how many cabins you have, nightly rates and occupancy. Expect quieter months in winter. The idea assumes at least around 5 hours a week for upkeep and changeovers.
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Photo: lensworx_ on Pixabay