Pilgrim bunkroom at home

Long-distance walkers and pilgrims, often travelling alone or in small groups, who want a cheap, friendly place to stay.

A set price per bed per night, or a suggested donation. Extras such as breakfast, packed lunches or laundry add a little more. Income is seasonal, with the busiest months in spring and summer.

• Welcoming and easy with people
• Basic housekeeping and laundry
• Simple booking and admin

• Planning permission or change of use may be needed for an outbuilding, check with your council
• Fire safety rules apply to sleeping accommodation and differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Public liability insurance, and check your home insurance covers paying guests
• If you serve breakfast, check whether you need to register as a food business with your council
• In Scotland, check whether a short-term let licence applies
• Income can be thin outside the walking season, so keep costs low

Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on whether you use a spare room or convert an outbuilding, and how you furnish it. These are estimates, so get quotes for your own property.

Monthly revenue is typically around £600 to £3,000, depending on your location, number of beds and how busy the walking season is. Income can be thin outside the season, so keep your costs low.

Check whether an outbuilding needs planning permission or change of use, and the fire safety rules for sleeping accommodation, which differ across the UK. Also check insurance, food registration if serving breakfast, and Scottish short-term let licensing.