DBK
LIFE MEMBER
Assuming cleanliness etc are a given here are a few other ideas, however, it depends who you are aiming for. In many UK campsites caravans seem to outnumber MHs by quite a margin. The difference is MHs tend to prefer hard standing but many caravanners want a bit of grass for their awning. Not a hard and fast rule but worth having the choice but you need to have the balance right. Folk here will say what they want for their MH but if MHs are only 10% of your visitors then they will be in a minority, at least during the summer. It may be the reverse in winter but will it be worth opening then?
If you are going to have people coming with little tents, perhaps on foot or like I do on my cycle tours arriving by bike then the greatest luxury of all is a picnic table.
Communal facilities, like a BBQ area, might attract groups especially if you can build a room where people can gather, especially when it is wet - this is Ireland after all! The same room can house a book-swap library and could be where the wifi starts if spreading it across the campsite is too expensive initially.
Local information, walks pubs etc very useful and you could charge a small price for it. We would be happy to pay for something with a decent map.
Animals such as hens are good for children to watch but need looking after all year round. The hens I mean, hopefully visitors will take their children away with them when they leave.
Your biggest challenge will be attracting custom particularly when you start although as it is an existing site presumably there should be some regulars. Perhaps you could organise events but check your insurance. An email newsletter would be a good way of letting previous visitors know about say any local events such as a food fair.
If the fishing is good locally then this is something you could use to promote the place but advertising is very expensive and probably not worth it for such a small site but because your site is so small you have the opportunity to get to know your happy campers very well. Word of mouth is an excellent way of spreading the word.
As an alternative, the luxury end of things can be made to pay if you have the right location. Knoydart House charges an arm and a leg but is booked solid 12 months or more ahead. http://www.knoydarthouse.co.uk. Not bad for a place you can't even drive to - although of course that is its appeal. I am not sure quite how to translate this to a campsite but if you have space and can get permission to build a luxury yurt or log cabin or two they will have the potential to make a lot more money than you will ever get from tightfisted MH owners who would prefer a carpark!
If you are going to have people coming with little tents, perhaps on foot or like I do on my cycle tours arriving by bike then the greatest luxury of all is a picnic table.
Communal facilities, like a BBQ area, might attract groups especially if you can build a room where people can gather, especially when it is wet - this is Ireland after all! The same room can house a book-swap library and could be where the wifi starts if spreading it across the campsite is too expensive initially.
Local information, walks pubs etc very useful and you could charge a small price for it. We would be happy to pay for something with a decent map.
Animals such as hens are good for children to watch but need looking after all year round. The hens I mean, hopefully visitors will take their children away with them when they leave.
Your biggest challenge will be attracting custom particularly when you start although as it is an existing site presumably there should be some regulars. Perhaps you could organise events but check your insurance. An email newsletter would be a good way of letting previous visitors know about say any local events such as a food fair.
If the fishing is good locally then this is something you could use to promote the place but advertising is very expensive and probably not worth it for such a small site but because your site is so small you have the opportunity to get to know your happy campers very well. Word of mouth is an excellent way of spreading the word.
As an alternative, the luxury end of things can be made to pay if you have the right location. Knoydart House charges an arm and a leg but is booked solid 12 months or more ahead. http://www.knoydarthouse.co.uk. Not bad for a place you can't even drive to - although of course that is its appeal. I am not sure quite how to translate this to a campsite but if you have space and can get permission to build a luxury yurt or log cabin or two they will have the potential to make a lot more money than you will ever get from tightfisted MH owners who would prefer a carpark!
, however if certain items like EHU were optional and would allow a lower rate then that might be better.
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