A Suffolk-based campsite and glamping business has secured planning approval to expand its on-site recreational amenities.
The Pigs in Blankets campsite, located at Broadside Park Farm in Reydon near Southwold, has received prior approval from East Suffolk Council to convert a portion of an agricultural barn into an indoor padel court. The application was approved under delegated powers.
The new facility represents the latest phase of development for the rural site, which is set on a working farm and features several camping pitches along with luxury ensuite glamping pods spread across a secluded six-acre meadow.
The business is run by co-owners Will and Jess Tomson, who received approval in 2021 for a broader farm diversification project aimed at enhancing visitor experience and generating new income streams.
Since receiving that initial approval, the Tomsons have introduced a number of facilities to the site, including a reception and small shop for guests, an indoor games area, and a petting farm.
In August 2023, they repurposed a former grain silo into a guest bar known as The Grain Shed, adding a social venue to the site’s leisure offering.
The most recent approval allows for the transformation of part of an existing barn into a padel court, according to a report by Eastern Daily Press.
Padel is a fast-growing racquet sport combining elements of tennis and squash, often played in doubles on an enclosed court. The sport’s increasing popularity has made it a sought-after addition for leisure-focused hospitality venues seeking to diversify guest activities.
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality sector, this development offers an example of how underutilized agricultural structures can be adapted into modern amenities that align with evolving guest preferences.
As glamping and camping sites continue to evolve into experience-based destinations, facilities like padel courts could help boost shoulder-season appeal, lengthen stays, and attract a wider customer base.
This case also underscores the importance of navigating local planning processes to enable small-scale, phased developments that contribute to long-term business sustainability.