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Agricultural TourismUnique Niches -Agritourism in Britain and New EnglandSection 3: Farm Holidays in Britain continuedThe revitalization of rural areas has also spanned a number of creative local based incentives and European Union (EU) grants to develop local producer associations such as the Exmoor Producer Association, and the Peak District Products Group. These associations are composed of food producers, artisans, and crafts people working together to promote a wide range of businesses that are producing goods in a rural region. Most produce a brochure that is available in local tourist offices or at a national park office in areas within the park boundaries. In the Peak District National Park, park officals were deeply involved in the development of the producer group seeing the economic health of the local people as critically important to its mission. Types of Farm Accommodations The types of accommodations provided by farms in England fit into three categories. The farm B&B, usually includes a bedroom (possibly an attached bathroom) in a farmhouse with breakfast provided. The pricing was generally lower than the higher end country homes and often appealed to families with children, dogs, or horses. It also appealed to individuals who wanted a more rural experience. The second sort of acconunodation found on farms was a self catering unit. This was a attached or detached unit, usually a remodeled pig sty or converted barn. The unit typically had a small kitchen, sleeping area, and bathroom. It might be attached to the main farmhouse or was found across the barnyard. Basic amenities are provided upon arrival. The rental was typically from Saturday to Saturday for one week, or for long weekends. The unit was typically rented for the same overnight rate as the B&B, but didn't include breakfast. Most of the farmers I interviewed had converted their building(s) recently and seemed very pleased with the commercial success of the units. The third type of farm accommodation was a camping bam or bunkhouse. This is a very rustic facility offering simple, dry accommodations for 8 to 15 persons with sleeping platforms and a cooking/eating area. The facility combined three objectives: inexpensive accommodations, supplemental income for farmers, and building conservation. The bams I visited varied in their level of accommodation with some providing indoor showers, fully equipped kitchen and electricity such as the Marsden bunkhouses in Peak District, to very rustic bams with no electricity, outdoor showers or bathrooms and a minimal kitchen area, such as the Low Skelgill Farm in Lake District. Typical users included backpackers, hikers, bicyclists, organized groups such as scouts or church groups, families or school and educational groups. Most of the camping bams were redundant bams that had formerly housed animals but were no longer in use. One third of the bams I visited had been slightly improved with EU grants that were received and coordinated by the local park or planning authority. Most camping bams were developed as part of a larger bam network typically within national park boundaries. Farmers received up to $17,000 to convert the buildings. Following is a sampling of the price differences to illustrate the difference between value and return:
There is an elaborate rating system (so British!) of keys and crowns that the various British Tourist Boards adhere to. The crowns apply to the level of service for bed and breakfast and the keys for a similar level in self catering units. Most farms I interviewed told me they could never get a rating over three crowns due to the nature of a farm versus hotel operation. Usually the higher the rating the more expensive the bill.
Sunday July 06 2008 |
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