A year ago, Summerhill Farm Stays was just an idea we completely threw ourselves into.
Fast forward to now and we’ve welcomed guests from all over the UK, survived more “learning moments” than we can count, watched people completely switch off and relax on the farm and honestly fallen even more in love with what we’ve created here.Running holiday lets has been rewarding, exhausting, exciting, stressful and magical all at once. Some days feel like pure chaos behind the scenes and other days we stop and think how lucky we are that people choose to spend their time here.
And over the past year, we’ve learnt a lot.
The little details matter the most
One of the biggest things we’ve realised is just how much people remember the thoughtful touches. Of course guests love the countryside views, the hot tubs and the cosy lodges, but it’s often the smaller things people mention most afterwards. The welcome treats waiting when they arrive. Breakfast baskets filled with local produce. Conversation cards. Stargazing kits. Recommendations for hidden local spots.
It’s those little details that make a stay feel memorable rather than just somewhere to sleep.
People are craving slower experiences
Before opening, we thought guests mainly wanted somewhere pretty to stay for a weekend away. But what we’ve seen time and time again is people arriving completely burnt out and leaving feeling calmer than they have in months.
People want quiet mornings with coffee overlooking fields, long walks, evenings in the hot tub under the stars and time away from the constant noise of everyday life. There’s something about the countryside that helps people properly switch off.
Running holiday lets is definitely not passive income
Social media definitely makes holiday lets look very aesthetic and effortless sometimes. The reality behind the scenes is endless cleaning, laundry, maintenance, ordering stock, replying to guest messages, fixing random problems and constantly thinking ahead. There’s always something needing done.
We’ve definitely gained a whole new level of respect for anyone working in hospitality because it really is full on.
Maybe don’t have a baby in your first year…
We can laugh about it now, but launching a holiday let business while also having a baby definitely added a whole extra level of complexity. There were days involving guest changeovers, farm jobs, broken appliances, no sleep and trying to answer emails one handed while holding a baby. Running a business is one thing. Running a business with a baby is absolute chaos at times.
But in a strange way, it’s also made us even more passionate about creating a place where people can properly rest and slow down, because we definitely understand how needed that escape can feel.
Reviews are one of the most valuable things
One thing we’ve learnt very quickly is that reviews matter so much, not just because they help small businesses grow, but because they genuinely help us improve too. Of course lovely reviews make our day and we’ll never stop appreciating them, but honest feedback matters just as much. If there’s something we could do better, we’d always rather know.
Running holiday lets is constantly evolving and we never want guests to feel nervous about giving constructive feedback because that’s how businesses grow. Sometimes the smallest suggestion can completely improve the guest experience for future stays.
Weather controls more than you think
Being based on a working farm means weather affects absolutely everything. Rain changes what guests want from their stay. Storms create chaos. Heatwaves suddenly have everyone wanting beach recommendations and outdoor dining spots nearby. And then there’s farm life itself, where the weather basically controls the rhythm of every day. We’ve definitely become even more obsessed with weather apps than we already were.
Guests love authentic experiences
One of our favourite surprises has been just how much people love seeing real farm life happening around them. Guests genuinely enjoy watching tractors working in the fields, spotting sheep outside the lodge windows and chatting to us about farming life. There’s something about countryside living that people are really drawn to because it feels real and grounding.
The support from local businesses is incredible
Over the past year we’ve worked with brilliant local suppliers, tradespeople and nearby businesses who’ve supported us hugely. And we absolutely love being able to recommend local cafés, bakeries, shops and attractions to guests because it all becomes part of the experience of staying here.
Supporting local feels more important than ever.
Things will go wrong sometimes and that’s okay
A shower stops working. A hot tub decides to be dramatic five minutes before guests arrive. A storm causes chaos. At the beginning every little issue felt catastrophic, but now we’ve realised most people are incredibly understanding when things are handled quickly, honestly and kindly. Hospitality isn’t about everything being perfect all the time. It’s about caring when things don’t go to plan.
We’re only just getting started
The biggest thing we’ve learnt though is that we genuinely love this.
It’s been one huge learning curve and there have definitely been moments where we questioned our sanity, but seeing people make memories here makes it worth it every single time. And honestly, we feel like we’re only just getting started.
We’ve got lots of exciting plans over the next year to continue elevating the guest experience at Summerhill Farm, champion more amazing local businesses and keep creating stays that feel cosy, thoughtful and memorable.
So here’s to year two. Hopefully with slightly fewer plumbing emergencies.