Discoverglamping.com interview with Jan from Woodland Gardens

Can you tell us a little bit about yourselves?

We are a married couple, Jan & Craig Young and bought the campsite in 2011. Jan is an Edinburgh girl, and Craig is from Glasgow. We took on the campsite as a lifestyle change and we have never regretted it. It is a wonderful experience and we take pride in running the site our way to our standards. The feedback has been fantastic and we greatly appreciate that people come back again and again. More than 60% of our bookings are repeat visitors.

Have you always wanted to run a glamping site? How did you get interested in it?

2014 is our first season for glamping and we have been considering it as an addition to our touring and tenting facilities since we purchased the campsite.

Modern day caravans have a huge array of mod cons and we felt it was time that campers received the benefit of great facilities and accommodation whilst retaining the companionship and outdoor living that provides that essential camping experience.

What made you pick the location for your glamping site?

Fife is a wonderful location with many excellent tourist attractions, whether you’re into walking, cycling, golfing or history. There is an abundance of choice in Fife. Centrally located for the Fife coastal walk and with the town of Falkland, St. Andrews, Anstruther, Crail and Ellie all within a twelve mile radius it is the ideal location for a Glamping site. Offering quality accommodation in a peaceful and tranquil location with no children is a winning combination.

Do you get a wide range of different people from different walks of life or are there certain types of guests who come to stay at your site?

As 2014 is our first season we are just beginning to get a feel for the kind of people that are attracted to this type of camping. Ranging from young adults to octogenarians we are getting a broad spectrum of people with camping as a common interest but with the added little luxuries to make your stay memorable.

As we have Touring Caravans and Motorhomes as well the pods are proving popular as a means of friends and family sharing the camping experience with tourers but with their own accommodation and quality sleeping arrangements.

When guests stay, do they usually cook on site or do you find a lot like to go exploring and eat out at local places?

Many of the people staying use the supplied BBQ or their own gas stoves to prepare food on. For many the provided microwave is all they need, especially with the M&S meal deal.

If the weather is inclement they often go to local eateries and The Crusoe hotel is within walking distance and the Caledonian Hotel in Leven, a 3 mile drive, is well worth the trip.

If there was one activity to participate in, landmark, or place of interest that you would recommend guests visit while staying at your site, what would it be and why?

The Fife Coastal Path is a huge attraction as it passes through so many attractive fishing villages and runs along the rugged coastline.

St Andrews is a must see as the combination of the University, ancient buildings and of course the home of golf with the royal and Ancient such a familiar site to golf lovers all over the world.

What do you think sets your glamping site apart from others?

The added bonus for the Glamping pods at Woodland Gardens is that they are located in a well-established campsite with highly regarded facilities and levels of cleanliness with rave independent reviews. As it is a small intimate site you are located next to all amenities and it never feels busy even when full.

The level of features in the pods is excellent with microwave, kettle, TV/DVD player and fridge. There is a small table with two chairs and this coupled with an extremely comfortable double bed provides a level of accommodation that equals the best on offer.

What has been the most memorable moment that has happened on your glamping site?

The reactions and feedback from people staying in the pods is overwhelming and complimentary and a common theme is how romantic it feels and with the high ceiling and unusual shape it is a spacious place to chill out in.

We already have repeat visitors who have resigned their tent to the loft never to see the light of day again as they love the pods and feel as if they just plug themselves in each visit for a recharge of their batteries.

Do you provide any services/entertainment/activities onsite or elsewhere for your guests?

There is a Recreation Room on site that caters for the campers with 42” TV / DVD, Pool Table, Table Football, books and games. There is a supplementary fridge and freezer for keeping things just right and an ice machine to top off the Cider or G&T.

What plans (if any) do you have for your glamping site in the future?

We are in the process of building two more pods which will be aimed at passing trade, walkers and cyclists on the fife Coastal Path, with a more basic layout with two bunks and a fold out double bed to accommodate up to four adults for a reduced nightly fee.