Farm stay with guest rooms or a hut

Couples, families and holidaymakers looking for a countryside break, plus visitors from abroad.

Nightly room rate, often with breakfast, plus extras like farm tour add-ons, packed lunches or farm produce.

• Welcoming hosting
• Keeping rooms clean and well presented
• Handling bookings and guest messages

• Planning permission or change of use may be needed for a new or converted guest space or a shepherd's hut, so check with your council
• Most guest stays in England do not need a specific licence, but rules differ across the UK (for example, short-term let licensing in Scotland and registration requirements in Wales), so check with your local council
• Fire risk assessment, gas and electrical safety checks
• If you serve breakfast, you must register as a food business with your council, and you will need an alcohol licence if you plan to sell alcohol
• Public liability insurance and cover for guests staying overnight, plus mortgage or tenancy consent
• Business rates and tax on holiday lets, check with HMRC or an accountant
• Keeping guests away from machinery, livestock and slurry

Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on whether you use a spare room or add a converted outbuilding or shepherd's hut, and how you furnish it. These are estimates, so get quotes for your own plans.

Monthly revenue is typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on how many rooms or huts you offer, your nightly price and how often they are booked. These figures are estimates, not guarantees of what you will earn.

Check whether planning permission or change of use is needed for a new guest space or shepherd's hut. Rules differ across the UK, so ask your local council about licensing or registration. Also check fire risk, gas and electrical safety, and food business registration if you serve breakfast.