What began as a lockdown pastime in a Wigan father’s back garden has grown into a multi-location glamping enterprise attracting nationwide attention.
In 2020, when pandemic restrictions halted travel, Derry Green of Skelmersdale began camping in his garden with his children to pass the time.
“I had two young children at the time, my son Noah and my daughter Sophia, and I was stuck at home with them for the entire duration of Covid,” Green said. “It was awful because I lost my job, lost all the business, and everything – we couldn’t cross over the borders.”
What started with a small tent evolved into a decked camping area, then into furnished pods, fire pits, and outdoor entertainment spaces. Green said the setup attracted media coverage and eventually went viral, receiving over 10 million views online. Soon after, messages began flooding in from people asking to stay there.
“I thought this was ridiculous. Why would anyone want to book it for a holiday in the back garden of Skem?” Green recalled. But with his income lost, he listed the space on Airbnb.
“I put it on Airbnb at half nine on the first night. I went to bed, thinking nothing of it, and by the morning, I had 150 responses. By the Sunday, I was booked for two-and-a-half years in advance.”
Green expanded the idea beyond his backyard, creating The Secret Garden Glamping—a 12-unit, five-star retreat offering themed accommodations such as “The Wilderness Spa,” “The Oasis,” “The Tree Tops,” and “The Lodge.” According to LancsLive, the site now features hot tubs, bars, and countryside views of Lancashire.
His business success led to an appearance on the BBC’s Dragon’s Den, where all five investors agreed to his proposal of £100,000 in exchange for a 5% stake.
Green accepted Deborah Meaden’s offer and said the funds would be used to expand The Secret Garden brand to 10 additional sites in the next year.
For outdoor hospitality professionals, Green’s journey demonstrates how adaptive reuse, creative marketing, and small-scale innovation can evolve into scalable business models—even from unexpected beginnings.