Rural bunkhouse for walkers and cyclists

Walkers, cyclists, climbers, clubs, family gatherings and small groups looking for a cheap place to stay together.

Nightly price per bed, or a flat rate for exclusive use of the whole building by a group. Extras like firewood, breakfast packs or bike storage can add a little.

• Friendly host
• Practical DIY and maintenance
• Basic marketing and online bookings
• Comfortable with seasonal ups and downs

• Conversion costs vary widely: a barn needing new water, drainage, heating, insulation, bathrooms and fire safety can cost far more than a building that is already in good condition, so get several quotes early
• Planning permission and change of use, especially for farm buildings, so check with your council
• Fire safety and a fire risk assessment, plus building regulations, water supply and drainage
• Public liability insurance and cover for the building and contents
• Food hygiene registration if you provide breakfast, and any licence needed for alcohol
• Weather, remote locations and seasonal demand can make income uneven
• Rules can differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check locally

Startup costs are typically around £50,000 to £250,000, depending on the building and conversion work such as water, drainage, heating, insulation, bathrooms and fire safety. Treat this as an estimate and get several quotes early.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £2,000 to £9,000, depending on location, number of beds and season. Weather, remote locations and seasonal demand can make income uneven, so plan for quieter months.

Check planning permission and change of use with your council, especially for farm buildings. Also check fire safety and risk assessment, building regulations, water and drainage, insurance, food hygiene registration, any alcohol licence, and local rules across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.