“Live the dream” with your own Secret Campsite

Idyllic part-time business for small holders, farmers, retirees landowners, and young families moving out of the city

The owner of The Secret Campsite, named by The Guardian as one of the country's Top 10 camp sites, has had so many customers tell him that he's “living their dream”, that he has set up a business that can make it happen.

Tim Bullen, 47, sold his London media company to establish a rural business.  After a number of false starts he hit upon the successful concept of the environmentally friendly Secret Campsite, which opened in 2012. His £35,000 set up costs were recouped in the first summer and he now enjoys considerable profits from running the part-time business, which operates from around Easter until the autumn.  In the winter he is free to pursue other interests.

Interested parties are invited to visit the site in Town Littleworth, Barcombe, 5 miles north of Lewes in East Sussex, to experience the Secret Campsite operation at first hand.

Prior to working in publishing then establishing the Red Media advertising agency, Tim studied Agriculture at AberystwythUniversity.  He sold the company in 2006 having moved with his wife and three young daughters to a small holding near Lewes in East Sussex in 2001.

Individual pitches are widely spaced. No cars, caravans, dogs or large groups are allowed on site – ensuring a tranquil and natural environment.

“Over the past three summers I've had so many customers tell me that I'm living their dream, but they have no idea how to get started or what's involved in running such a project, I've set up franchise business model, to take the concept nationwide,” said Tim, who has to turn scores of interested campers away each weekend because such the high demand.

Would be Secret Campsite owners need 8 or more acres of suitable land and investment of around £35,000 plus VAT – largely needed to create an access road and build a shower block – of which banks will normally lend a significant proportion through their franchise departments.

From their investment of £42,000 Franchisees can expect a return of £25,000 net profit in the first year of 56 percent. On going costs are low and a there are numerous other profit opportunities, such as selling logs for camp fires, hot drinks, or running a farm shop.  A typical Secret Campsite of 18 pitches should generate a gross income of around £75,000 over 7 months

To take the business forward Tim has recruited the services of Clive Sawyer MD of consultants  Business Options who are accredited by the British Franchise Association.

“Although our projected figures are conservative and there will be further scope to generate higher profits, owning a Secret Campsite is not for entrepreneurs looking to make a fortune,” said Clive, adding, “It's more a lifestyle choice and extension to family life, with a part-time home-based business, which will produce a significant, but not spectacular, income stream.”

Tim is keen to re emphasis the business model is not just about profit and loss balance sheets.

“Most importantly they need to buy in to our philosophy of what a camp site should be – a peaceful rural retreat with a warm welcome and a high degree of commitment to the customer, but no noisy club rooms or bingo,” said Tim who's own site tops the list and receives almost exclusively 5-star ratings on guest review sites such as Cool Camping www.coolcamping.co.uk/campsites/uk/england/south-east-england/east-sussex/510-the-secret-campsite

During the school holiday peak summer months, the Bullen family share a work load of around 48 hours a week – most importantly meeting and greeting on Friday nights, helping transport gear from the car park to pitch site and cleaning the solar heated shower block. Outside of the school holidays it is 15 hours per, week mainly on Friday and at the weekends, is the norm.

Before that Tim recommends that interested parties should visit and experience the Secret Campsite experience at first hand.

Anyone buying into the franchise will be given advice on attaining planning consent, full marketing support, practical training, business consultancy, an online booking system, IT equipment and an exclusive geographic region for 10 years.

Ongoing annual costs, such as contribution to group marketing, are likely to be in the region of £25,000 leaving a net profit of around £50,000 per annum.

Franchisees will also benefit from an established client database of campers who are looking to explore new areas but eschew the mass market of industrialised camp sites and the faux experience of “glamping”.

The business is recession proof, as camping is the cheapest of all holiday options. The rise in popularity of music festivals such as Glastonbury and Bestival means that there is strong growth in the outdoor holiday market.

Although Tim's own camp site has a couple of unique alternatives to campers' own tents; a tree tent and a gridshell structure, The Secret Campsite is focused 'real camping'.

“Some guests regard our shower block and recharging facilities a step too far and would be quite happy to dig their own latrines – we're not for those who would be happier in a luxury boutique hotel, looking to make a fashion statement at Notting Hill dinner party tables,” he said.

Secret Campsite guests appreciate the clean and functional facilities for washing up and showering, but they are looking for a peaceful escape from their busy day to day lives.  Children enjoy getting close to nature and the site is managed to encourage wildlife including nightingales, butterflies, glow worms, grass snakes, rabbits, newts and toads.

Editors' Notes:

Hi res images available.  Complimentary accommodation can be arranged for commissioned journalists subject to availability. 

The Secret Campsite

The Secret Campsite is tucked away in wooded countryside, 5 miles north of Lewes. The site reveals its surprising secrets to campers during their stay, revolving around wildlife and edible plants. The camping meadow is bordered by Ancient Woodland, and a Site of Nature Conservation Interest, and is kept dog and car free to encourage an abundance of wildlife into the site.  The subsequent peace and tranquillity of the camping meadow allows children to explore the site safely. Once here, campers can look for and watch wildlife, as well as building dens and enjoying peaceful camp fires and time with their families.

An old stable has been converted into a simple but clean new shower and toilet block. The free hot showers housed in a converted stable are powered by a solar system. 

Contacts:

George Shaw, Avocado Media T: 01892 750851 M: 07860 695555

Tw: @AvocadoPR E: geo@avocadomedia.co.uk

The Secret Campsite

Tim Bullen T: 01273 401 100 E: tim@thesecretcampsite.co.uk

www.thesecretcampsite.co.uk Tw: @secretcampsites

The Secret Campsite

Brickyard Farm

Town Littleworth                                                               

Barcombe

East Sussex BN8 4TD