Wigwam® Holidays Humble Bee Farm

Now in its eleventh year of business, Humble Bee Farm is a working arable and stock farm in the Yorkshire Wolds. 

Nothing unusual here, perhaps, except the farm decided to diversify just over a decade ago and now successfully combines the agricultural side of the business with award-winning glamping.

Co-owned by Julia and John Warters, Wigwam® Holiday Humble Bee Farm started small: a petite campsite, two original Big Chief Wigwam® Cabins and a portable toilet.

Today, with a clutch of awards under their belts, the couple have continued their diversification to include twenty Wigwam® Cabins (including four en-suite Running Water Deluxe models, each with its own private outdoor hot tub), four Nomadic Yurts, three luxury holiday cottages, a small campsite, two shower and toilet blocks, an onsite reception/shop, children’s play area, a football field and an interactive Nature Trail.

Julia said: “Back in 2008, our farm was struggling to make a profit. I was working full-time in the hospitality industry while John worked the land.

“Yet sadly there wasn’t much income to be made from all the hard work he did.

“John spotted a Wigwam® Cabin in a publication and he immediately knew this was the path to follow. We are now part of the Wigwam® Holidays Franchise, which includes around 30 sites across the UK.”

The couple gradually built up their accommodation portfolio, converting redundant farm buildings into holiday cottages, opening up a reception area with a small shop, together with working closely with Natural England and the Higher Level Stewardship scheme to help preserve the wildlife habitats while growing crops and caring for a mixed herd of cattle and flock of Texel sheep.

Julia continued: “Our diversification into glamping and holiday accommodate effectively saved the farm.

“However, the challenge was for the farming side of the business to form the basis of the Humble Bee Farm experience.

“Welcoming the public to your farm can be nerve-wracking, yet most of our guests totally respect our farm and want to know about farming and agriculture.”

The couple have slowly developed their events calendar that now includes themed weekends and activities from February through to December.

One of their most popular events is the Lambing and Calving Weekends in March.

Julia said: “It’s fair to say John had to be persuaded. He is affectionately known as Farmer Percy to our guests, and in March each year, as our busy lambing season gets underway, he dons his headset and describes the miracle that is the lambing season. 

“There is a huge hunger for knowledge out there for families of all ages and backgrounds to get in touch with nature; to see how a lamb is born; to understand how crops are sown, grown and harvested. 

“The challenge is to combine the farm side of the business to an excellent glamping experience.

“In 2019, there is a lot more choice for glampers out there. What sets a glamping site apart is the overall experience offered by its owners.

“For us, we wanted to offer affordable yet comfortable accommodation with a touch of luxury. Our Wigwam® Cabins have certainly attracted thousands of customers, and the introduction of our Nomadic Yurts and latterly the bell tents has ensured guests can stay with us for several holidays and enjoy different glamping experiences.”

The couple, who have a son and daughter who work alongside them, hold open day events to help spread the word about their business and how successful a well thought out diversification project can be.

Wigwam® Holidays Humble Bee Farm is open 12 months a year.

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