With shifting economic conditions, regulatory constraints, and taxation pressures prompting some UK farmers to downsize or exit agriculture altogether, diversification into outdoor hospitality is becoming an increasingly viable alternative.
Woodpecker Tubs, a UK-based manufacturer of hot tubs, saunas, and accommodation units, reports a notable number of inquiries from farmers seeking to transition into or supplement their incomes through glamping and other tourism-based enterprises.
Woodpecker Tubs states that it supports landowners through various stages of diversification, whether they are launching standalone glamping operations or integrating accommodations alongside active agricultural businesses.
The company, which is a founding member of the Glamping Industry Trade Association (GITA UK), also offers advisory services, partnerships with other rural hospitality suppliers, and guidance on planning considerations.
“The most important thing that we say to farmers who are looking at changing or diversifying away from a full scale farming operation is that it needs to be planned properly by making sure that you have spoken to the local council and their planners, sought advice from the proper channels in terms of planning advisors, and then decided what is finally possible,” the company advises.
“You don’t want to overspend on products, nor do you want to have poor quality products, which there are many of in the hot tub, sauna, and accommodation products market.”
Woodpecker Tubs emphasizes its vertically integrated approach to manufacturing, claiming its products are “virtually carbon neutral” and constructed from sustainably sourced wood.
As the company does not act as a reseller, it argues that buyers benefit from cost savings without intermediaries.
“With us, because we are not a reseller, and are manufacturers, you definitely won’t be overpaying for anything, as there is ‘no middle chunk’ to pay, and therefore you really are getting a ‘value for money’ service.”
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, particularly those exploring rural development, Woodpecker’s one-stop-shop offering presents opportunities to reduce supplier complexity.
Beyond product sales, the company also collaborates with a Lincolnshire-based shepherd hut manufacturer and provides support in site planning and compliance, areas that can often delay or derail rural hospitality ventures if not addressed early in the process.
For those considering market entry, aligning with firms experienced in both manufacturing and industry-specific planning may help reduce risk and ensure regulatory alignment.
Woodpecker Tubs, which brings nearly two decades of experience to the table, maintains that strategic diversification can yield a sustainable income stream, even for farms facing uncertainty.
“It shouldn’t be about what the current landscape looks like,” the company told Farmers Guide.
“It should be about how you can make a ‘value for money return’ on your future investments, without having to worry about excessive effort, or whether your yield from crops or animals will be enough to survive now or in the years ahead.”
While the company did not specify a timeline for upcoming product launches or service expansions, it has positioned itself as both a supplier and partner in the broader transition of UK farmland toward mixed-use operations.
For professionals in outdoor hospitality, particularly those with rural property or agricultural backgrounds, this trend underscores the importance of adaptable infrastructure, supplier reliability, and early-stage planning.
Businesses exploring glamping as a complementary revenue stream should consider partnerships with vertically integrated suppliers who also provide regulatory and strategic support.
Featured image by Woodpecker Tubs via facebook.com