How to Make Money Off Your Land with Leisure Buildings
Ever found yourself wondering, “What can I do with this spare bit of land?” Maybe you’ve toyed with the idea of adding a few glamping pods, or perhaps you’ve dismissed the idea entirely, assuming it’s too much effort, too expensive, or simply not worth the hassle.
Well, let us stop you right there — because the truth is, leisure stays are one of the easiest and most profitable ways to make money off your land. With the right strategy, you could be sitting on a goldmine — and not just in the summer.
Welcome to the world of agritourism, farm diversification, and year-round income, all wrapped up in a pretty cabin bow.
Most Profitable Farm Diversification? Leisure Stays Take the Crown
You’ve probably seen “diversification” crop up a lot in farming circles lately — and with good reason. The days of relying solely on crops and livestock are shifting. Today’s most profitable ventures are about working smarter, not harder — and yes, that includes setting up cabins, lodges, or glamping pods on your land.
Why leisure sites?
Because they tick all the boxes:
Leisure buildings command a premium on your spare land!
High return potential
Minimal upkeep with modern tech
Grant and loan access
Seasonal resilience (aka not just for summer)
Lifestyle flexibility
And here’s the best part — you don’t need to be a hospitality guru. In fact, you don’t even need to be on-site. With hands-off booking systems, automated guest messages, cleaning services that change bedding, wash towels, and leave chocolates on pillows (if you fancy), you can literally be out tending your fields while your guests are sipping wine under the stars — on your land, in your cabins, earning you passive income.
5 Reasons Why a Leisure Site Can Turn a Quick Profit
1. You Can Be Up and Running in Months Glamping site applications are often fast-tracked with many councils, especially when paired with permitted development rights or supporting rural tourism. Pair this with the right finance plan (loan or farm diversification grant, more on that below) and you’ll be welcoming guests faster than a lamb chases a bucket.
2. Your Cabins Work Year-Round — Not Just in Summer Forget cold, damp igloos with condensation on the ceiling. We're talking warm, coy cabins designed for comfort — complete with proper insulation, heated floors, triple glazing, and Passive House tech. Your guests will feel like they’re cocooned in a boutique hotel — even if the wind is howling outside.
3. Hands-Off Management = Easy Life Thanks to tech, you don’t need to run a B&B the old-fashioned way. Think:
Automated check-in and checkout
Integrated booking calendars (Airbnb, Booking.com, your own site)
Guest communication apps
Linen services that wash, iron, and restock everything — right to your cabin door
4. Private Locations Mean More Profit Yes, it’s true — a secluded cabin with a view can command up to 40% higher nightly rates. People want privacy, peace, and a little slice of paradise. Give them that, and the reviews roll in:
“Best stay ever. Woke up to deer in the field and watched the stars from the hot tub.”
Versus the dreaded:
“Nice enough, but a bit too close to Sandra and her five kids…” 🫠
5. Guests Talk — and ‘WOW’ Reviews Sell The success of your site depends on one thing: reviews. And the difference between “meh” and “WOW” is simple — quality. Think stunning interiors, thoughtful touches, warm lighting, and those million-pound views. This is your opportunity to offer something that feels boutique, not basic.
Farm Diversification Grants: How to Get Help to Set Up Your Site
Wondering how to fund all this? You’re not alone. But here’s the good news — you may not need to front the money yourself.
There are UK-wide and regional farm diversification grants that support rural businesses branching out into tourism and leisure. Here’s a quick overview:
Farming Investment Fund (England) – Offers grants for productivity and diversification projects, including tourism and accommodation.
Scottish Government’s Agri-Environment Climate Scheme – Offers support for diversification including leisure buildings.
Welsh Government Rural Development Programme – Focuses on innovation and economic development in rural Wales.
Northern Ireland’s Rural Business Development Grant Scheme – Supports small capital projects that help sustain rural economies.
How to apply:
Identify your local LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) or Rural Payments Agency
Draft a simple business plan (we can help with that)
Choose a supplier who understands what councils look for (spoiler alert: that's us!)
Apply via online portal or with support from a local advisor
With the right documents, funding can be secured in as little as 6–8 weeks.
Agritourism is Growing — Literally
The rise of staycations, eco-tourism, and wellness retreats means demand for unique, off-grid, nature-based stays is only increasing. By combining your land, your natural views, and a cabin designed to wow, you’re tapping into a market that loves to pay for experience over stuff.
And the best part? You can scale when you’re ready. Start with one or two cabins. Test the waters. Then expand once you’ve got the process down. Many sites recoup their setup costs within the first 1–2 seasons.
Final Thought: Make Money While You Sleep (Seriously)
Your land has untapped value — not just in what it can grow, but in how it can host. With minimal disruption to your life and income potential that rivals traditional farming, setting up a leisure stay site is one of the smartest and most sustainable moves a landowner can make right now.
So go on — stop letting that field just sit there. Let it work for you, in a way that’s warm, wonderful, and wildly profitable.
Want to learn more about setup costs, planning permissions, or choosing the right cabins?
Grab our free brochure or Book a quick call with one of our advisors — no pressure, just possibilities.
Phone: 01260 545348
Email: info@thchomes.co.uk