Small farm field campsite
Open a field or two on your farm to tent and campervan guests during the summer months.
- £3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
3,343 UK companies in this field, 17% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 55300 “Recreational vehicle parks, trailer parks and camping grounds”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A simple, seasonal campsite on part of a working farm, with grass pitches, a toilet and shower block or portable facilities, drinking water and a farm setting guests enjoy.
Your first three steps
- Check with your local council about planning permission and the rules on how many days a year you can open a campsite on agricultural land
- Plan your pitches, access, water and toilet and shower facilities, and get quotes for them
- Set a nightly price by checking nearby campsites, then list on a booking platform and your own simple page
Who pays
Families, couples and groups of friends on UK breaks, plus walkers, cyclists and festival or event visitors nearby.
How it makes money
Nightly or weekly pitch fees, with extras such as firewood, eggs and farm produce, electric hook-ups or dog-friendly fees.
Skills that help
- Friendly hosting
- Basic maintenance and grounds care
- Online listings and bookings
- Keeping facilities clean
Watch out for
- Planning permission and any limit on days of use, as rules differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check with your council
- A site licence may be needed in some cases, check with your council
- Public liability insurance and checking your farm insurance covers paying guests
- Fire safety, drinking water, waste and sewage arrangements
- Check your tenancy or mortgage terms allow guests on the land
- Weather and seasonality can make income uneven
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: small farm field campsite
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 start a farm campsite in the UK?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on the facilities you provide, such as toilets, showers and drinking water, and how much groundwork your fields need. Costs will vary from farm to farm.
How much can a small farm campsite earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £4,000, depending on the number of pitches, your location and how long your season runs. The estimate starts from about 8 hours a week. Weather and seasonality can make income uneven.
Do I need planning permission to run a campsite on my farm?
Check with your council about planning permission and any limit on days of use, as rules differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Also check whether a site licence is needed, insurance cover for paying guests, and fire safety, water, waste and sewage arrangements.
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Photo: lentemamaatje on Pixabay