Standing out from the crowd is central to luxury holiday business success

Rachel’s parents first saw potential in the Wadebridge farm in 2011, bringing it back to life by redeveloping the disused farm buildings into nine self-catering holiday cottages. They then turned their attention to the rest of the 75-acre property, establishing a mixed commercial farm which complemented the holiday business.

When Rachel and her husband Sam joined the business in 2017, Rachel focused on the holiday accommodation while Sam managed the farm. “We were new to both hospitality and the farming industry, so the learning curve was steep,” says Rachel. “But after five years of hard work, we’re really proud of the businesses we have created.”

Aiming for the high-end market means this must be reflected in everything they do, explains Rachel: “In practice, this requires meticulous attention to detail and thinking about all the features guests expect of a luxury holiday. For example, we make sure the accommodation is fully equipped with everything guests might need, particularly in the kitchen.”

Added extras and a personal approach have paid off

Gaining a firm understanding of their target market from the beginning has been vital, with the luxury market being all about adding that little bit extra, explains Rachel. Trevear Farm’s facilities, including an indoor pool and gym, experiences such as watersports and yoga classes, and a range of services going above and beyond, helps them stand out from the crowd.

“We take a personal approach to ensure our guests have a memorable stay, whether it’s organising a day’s shooting, taking the dogs for a walk or even unpacking a food shop delivery.

“Offering this level of service is time-consuming and certainly doesn’t come without its challenges. But it’s something our guests value and is an important part of what makes us different to others and successful.”

The farm also provides an opportunity to enhance the guest experience, with visitors encouraged to take a farm tour and get hands-on, says Rachel: “A lot of our clients are city-based, so staying on a farm is new to them.

“While the farm is a commercial enterprise, we’ve added animals we know guests will find interesting. Our alpacas, Mangalica pigs and Valais Blacknose sheep are all a little out of the ordinary, particularly for those not familiar with farming. For a small amount of extra work, they provide a great point of interest.”

For those looking to diversify into holiday accommodation, Rachel suggests taking a realistic approach to what you can offer. “It's about finding a balance between giving guests a well-rounded service and promising something that you can't be,” says Rachel. “In our experience, you’re better off focusing on the quality of services rather than the quantity.”

Click to find out more about Trevear Farm.