Setting Up a Campsite Business: Specialist Finance for New Campsites and Caravan Parks
Launching a campsite, caravan park or glamping business requires careful planning, significant upfront
investment and a clear understanding of rural finance options. Specialist funding can support land
preparation, infrastructure, licensing and initial setup costs, helping new operators establish
sustainable and profitable sites.
Introduction
Campsites, caravan parks and glamping operations are a cornerstone of the UK’s rural tourism economy.
From traditional tent-based sites to high-end holiday parks with luxury accommodation, demand for
countryside stays continues to grow as travellers seek flexible, experience-led holidays.
However, setting up a campsite business is capital-intensive. Before the first booking is taken,
operators must invest in land preparation, access roads, drainage, utilities, facilities, compliance
requirements and accommodation units. Many of these costs are incurred months—or even years—before
meaningful revenue is generated.
Specialist campsite finance plays a vital role at this early stage. By structuring funding around land,
infrastructure and long-term trading potential rather than short-term cash flow, rural-focused lenders
can help new campsite businesses launch with confidence and resilience.
Why Setting Up Campsite Businesses Is Increasing Across the UK
The growth in campsite and caravan park development is driven by several long-term trends. Domestic
tourism has strengthened, rural diversification is encouraged, and landowners are increasingly
exploring tourism as a way to generate sustainable income from rural assets.
- Rising demand for UK staycations and short breaks
- Growth of glamping and experience-led accommodation
- Rural land diversification and planning-led development
- Desire for lower-density, outdoor-focused holidays
- Opportunities to extend trading seasons through improved facilities
These opportunities are attractive, but they also place pressure on upfront capital requirements.
Finance allows new operators to develop professionally from day one, rather than scaling slowly or
compromising on infrastructure quality.
UK Finance Options for Setting Up a Campsite Business
Commercial Mortgages for Land and Sites
Commercial mortgages are often used to purchase land or refinance existing rural property for campsite
development. Lenders may consider the underlying land value, planning status and long-term income
potential rather than relying solely on trading history.
Development Finance
Development finance supports the construction of infrastructure such as access roads, service blocks,
utility connections and reception buildings. Funding is usually released in stages, aligned with build
progress and milestones.
Bridging Finance
Bridging finance can help operators move quickly when acquiring land or transitioning a site from
agricultural or alternative use into tourism, particularly where planning permission or refinance is
pending.
Asset Finance
Asset finance is commonly used for accommodation units and equipment, including glamping pods, static
caravans, site vehicles and maintenance machinery. Costs are spread over time, protecting working
capital during the early trading period.
Refinancing and Equity Release
Existing landowners may refinance rural assets to release capital for campsite development, reducing
the need for external investment while maintaining long-term ownership.
How Gable Business Finance Supports New Campsite Operators
Gable Business Finance works with lenders who understand rural tourism, seasonal income and asset-backed
business models. By packaging applications around land value, site potential and phased development
plans, we help new campsite businesses access funding that reflects real-world operations.
- Access to specialist rural and leisure lenders
- Bespoke funding structures aligned to development phases
- Support with complex or mixed-use rural assets
- Clear, transparent guidance throughout the process
Case Studies: Setting Up a Campsite Business
The following examples are anonymised and provided for illustrative purposes only.
Case Study 1: Farm Diversification into Camping
Funding need: Infrastructure and utilities
Solution: Development finance combined with asset finance
Outcome: Site launched within one season with phased growth
Case Study 2: Greenfield Campsite Development
Funding need: Land preparation and access
Solution: Commercial mortgage and bridging finance
Outcome: Planning-to-launch funding gap successfully bridged
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get finance to set up a campsite without trading history?
Yes. Specialist lenders may focus on land value, planning permission and projected income rather than
historic trading figures.
Is finance available for infrastructure before accommodation is installed?
Yes. Development finance is commonly used for roads, drainage, utilities and facilities ahead of
accommodation investment.
Conclusion
Setting up a campsite business requires careful financial planning and specialist support. With the
right finance structure, new operators can invest confidently in infrastructure, compliance and guest
experience from the outset, laying strong foundations for long-term success.