Campsite with pods and touring pitches

Families, couples and retired caravanners, plus guests who want comfort without bringing their own kit.

Nightly or weekly pitch fees and higher nightly rates for pods, with extras such as electric hook-up, dog fees, a small shop or bike hire.

• Running a small business
• Guest service and bookings
• Property upkeep and basic repairs
• Online marketing and reviews

• Planning permission and site licensing, which can take months and vary by area, so check with your council
• Fire safety, gas and electrical safety checks for hook-ups and pods
• Public liability insurance plus buildings and contents cover, and employer's liability insurance if you hire staff
• Food rules, as you must register with the council if you sell food
• A heavy upfront cost, especially if you need to buy land, plus groundworks, utilities, pods and a shower block, and a slow build in bookings, so plan your cash flow
• Seasonal income, with quieter winter months

Startup costs are typically around £200,000 to £900,000, depending on whether you need to buy land, plus groundworks, utilities, pods and a shower block. This is an estimate, and bookings can build slowly, so plan your cash flow.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on pitch and pod numbers, location and occupancy. Income is seasonal, with quieter winter months, so these figures are estimates rather than guarantees.

Check planning permission and site licensing with your council, as they can take months and vary by area. Also check fire, gas and electrical safety for hook-ups and pods, your insurance, and council registration if you sell food.