The family-run farm, Wellington Jerseys, based near Cockermouth on the edge of the Lake District National Park, has had great success with its diversification into luxury glamping pods.
The farm is now home to six glamping pods that have their own hydrotherapy hot tubs and panoramic views of the Western Lake District fells. And, since welcoming its first guests just over 18 months ago, Wellington Farm has seen countless visitors with multiple repeat bookings and excellent reviews.
Wellington Farm’s well-established cafe and tearoom is run by the Stamper family, with Debbie Stamper now managing the glamping pods venture.
She said: “We’re delighted with how the pods have been received by visitors. People love the rural location and the fact that they come with all the home comforts such as a double bed, an ensuite bathroom, a living area with kitchenette, and an outside area with a barbecue and outdoor furniture.”
Further to that, the fully equipped pods include kitchenettes with stainless steel worktops, a double electric hob, fridge/freezer and microwave; living areas with a sofa and 32-inch Smart TV; a fully made up double bed with bedside USB chargers; and an ensuite bathroom with thermostatic shower, heated towel rail and fluffy towels.
Ms Stamper said that the family felt that the potential was there to develop the farm business, so opening the glamping pods was a natural step for them: “We wanted to build something for the future.”
Established in 2005, Wellington Jerseys began as a post-foot and mouth diversification project when the family restocked their dairy herd with Jersey cows and used the milk to make ice cream for the newly opened cafe and tearoom at Wellington Farm.
The dairy herd was sold about 10 years ago to focus on the Wellington Jerseys business, with quality Jersey milk now bought in for the ice cream, which is made to the same recipe and only sold at the cafe.
And glamping pod occupants can be assured that they will still very much see the farming roots of Wellington Jerseys, during their pod stay, as a variety of animals still live on the site: alpacas, llamas, a horse, donkeys, a Highland cow, a Jersey cow, and peacocks.
The diversification of farm enterprises is becoming more and more common, with recent Defra figures finding that 35% of the total income for farmers in North West England comes from diversified business activities.
The Carlisle-based H&H Insurance Brokerage, which helped the Stamper facilitate its Wellington Farm glamping diversification, is working with businesses across the rural and agricultural sector with any such business additions.
Luke Conn-Goodman, the Stamper family’s account executive at H&H Insurance, said: “Wellington Jerseys is a brilliant example of how farming enterprises can adapt and change to create opportunities through diversification.”
He added that at H&H, “we provide support for clients looking to diversify, and also for those operating within the tourism and hospitality sector such as self-catering holiday lets, campsites, hotels and tourism experiences.”
“Every business is unique, which is why we work closely with our clients to ensure they are covered by an insurance policy tailored to meet their individual requirements,” Mr Conn-Goodman concluded.