Rutland Hideaways, a luxury holiday accommodation business based at Glebe Farm on Little Bytham Road near Little Bytham, has received planning approval to expand its offering with the addition of two new lodges. The decision was granted by South Kesteven District Council and marks the next phase of growth for the business, which launched three years ago.
The site currently operates a converted barn alongside two glamping lodges and is positioned as a countryside retreat catering to short breaks and longer stays.
According to planning documents submitted as part of the application, the expansion is intended to respond to sustained demand experienced during the past year, particularly during peak seasonal periods.
The two approved lodges will each include two bedrooms, a combined dining and kitchen area, a bathroom, and wellness-focused amenities such as a private sauna and a wood-fired hot tub. The design emphasizes views across the surrounding countryside, aligning with guest expectations for privacy and rural settings that have become increasingly prominent in the higher-end glamping and holiday lodge market.
A design and access statement submitted by Glampitect on behalf of the owners highlights the site’s location near the Lincolnshire and Rutland border as a contributing factor to its performance. The statement notes that the business benefits from being accessible to guests travelling from both northern and southern regions of England, positioning it as a convenient meeting point for groups and couples.
“It has been a fantastic 12 months for Rutland Hideaways,” the statement said, according to LincsOnline. “We achieved our first summer season operating with the two existing lodges, and it was a huge success. I am particularly proud of the number of repeat guests and recommendations we have received.”
”We underestimated how many guests would come from the north and south of the country and meet in the ‘middle’ on the Lincolnshire/Rutland border. We were also pleasantly surprised at how many local people from places such as Bourne, Stamford, and Peterborough want a countryside ‘staycation’ without having to travel far.”
Rutland Hideaways operates year-round, a model that continues to gain traction among rural accommodation providers seeking to reduce seasonality and improve annual occupancy. The business has confirmed via social media that the first of the two new lodges is scheduled to open next year, although a specific launch date has not yet been announced.
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality sector, the expansion reflects broader industry trends, including increased investment in small-scale, premium lodge developments and a focus on wellness amenities to differentiate offerings. It also underscores the importance of location analysis, repeat visitation, and targeting both regional and national markets when planning growth.
Earlier this year, Rutland Hideaways was nominated in the best new start-up category at the Rutland & Stamford Mercury Business Awards, further highlighting its early commercial traction as it moves into its next stage of development.