Clearly describe the bookable accommodation on the farm
A farm may comprise several buildings and offer a wide variety of accommodation options. You should therefore first explain what guests will actually be staying in: a self-contained property, a section of the main house, or a room with shared facilities. A photo of the entire farm is a nice way to start, but should not give the impression that all visible buildings and areas are included in the booking.
Describe the connection between the accommodation and the farm. Is the entrance next to the main house, in a shared courtyard, or set slightly apart? Which paths are used by guests and by you? People with no experience of farms in particular cannot work out this layout from pictures alone. A brief verbal tour helps guests get their bearings and makes the offer more tangible.
Everyday life on the farm is part of the experience
If work is carried out on your farm, this may be mentioned in the text. Describe typical times and situations, insofar as they are relevant to the stay: early morning activity, occasional vehicle movements or seasonal work. Avoid promising absolute peace and quiet if this does not suit the location. Many questions are easier to answer once guests know they are staying on a working farm.
This also applies to smells and noises. A factual note can explain what might be noticeable depending on activities and the weather, without disparaging the farm. Also mention which areas tend to be quieter in the evening and where guests can spend their time. Your own day-to-day experience usually provides better information for this than general notions of idyllic country life.
Show animals, describe encounters thoughtfully
If there are animals on the farm, photos can provide a lovely insight. However, please specify whether guests can only view them from a distance, accompany them by prior arrangement, or are not permitted to enter certain areas at all. Their presence does not automatically imply contact. A photo of an animal should not suggest that petting, feeding or riding are included as activities if these are not actually offered.
This is particularly helpful for families, but also for people looking to get away from it all. Describe specific rules in a friendly and clear manner. If guests’ own pets are welcome, it should be made clear how their stay can be accommodated alongside the farm animals and in other areas. General phrases such as ‘pet-friendly’ do not adequately address this practical issue.
Communal areas need clear signage
Show where guests can park, unload their luggage and enter the accommodation. A farmyard can serve as an access point, a workspace and a thoroughfare all at once. You should therefore describe the designated routes and areas where guests can wait. A clear meeting point or entrance is particularly helpful for guests arriving in the evening. Your listing does not need to include detailed operating instructions, but it should explain the basic layout.
Private living areas, workspaces, machinery areas and freely accessible guest areas should be distinguishable both in the text and in the images. If a garden or meadow is included for use, specify the boundaries. A large plot of land is not automatically a play area everywhere. Specific details enable travellers to make an informed choice about the surroundings and to find their way around more easily upon arrival.
Distinguish between catered and self-catering options
Perhaps the accommodation has a kitchen, perhaps breakfast is provided, or perhaps the farm sells its own produce. Describe each of these options only if they are actually available, and organise them clearly. A farm shop or a breakfast table in a photo should not give the impression that meals are automatically included with the overnight stay.
For self-catering guests, the available kitchen facilities are important. Information on the nearest shopping facilities can also be helpful, provided it remains up-to-date and factual. You don’t need an extensive list of local amenities for this. Think about what questions someone might have on their first evening: where can they cook, what’s available, and what provisions should be organised before arrival?
Showcase the quality of the accommodation and the character of the farm together
Do not let the accommodation be overshadowed by a gallery of landscape photos alone. After a view of the farmyard, the living area, beds, kitchen and bathroom should be visible. Include the entrance and the areas that guests will actually use. If you show animals, fields or work areas, their relevance to the stay should be clear. This allows travellers to get to know the place without having to read services into the pictures.
Where possible, take photographs during the season that corresponds to the stay on offer, or highlight seasonal differences in the text. A green summer garden offers only limited insight into a winter stay. You can show both, provided it remains clear that the farm changes throughout the year. Outdoor areas that are weather-dependent should also be described as such, rather than promising the same use at all times.
Become a host with an offer that fits in with your everyday life
You can list your farm holiday accommodation free of charge on BookNoFees. As part of the standard process, you’ll need to provide the type of accommodation, a description, photos, facilities, price and availability. Select time periods and details that match your actual offer. The tips on this page are suggestions for providing useful information; they do not require you to offer a leisure programme or additional services on your farm.
Read through your draft from the perspective of someone unfamiliar with farm life. Is it clear where guests will be staying, which areas are open to them and whether they might come into contact with animals? Once these points are clear, the text can take on a more personal tone. Perhaps you’d like to share what you personally value about farm life. It is precisely these specific observations that give your invitation its own unique voice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to offer farm work or an animal programme?
No. You can offer accommodation on your farm without promising any additional activities. If meet-ups, guided tours or other activities are actually available, describe their terms clearly and keep them separate from the overnight stay. Simply being on a farm does not mean that guests are allowed to help out, nor that someone is available at all times to run an activity programme.
How do I talk about noises and smells?
It’s best to be factual and specific. Explain what activities take place nearby and whether there are any seasonal variations. Avoid both sugar-coating and sweeping warnings. Honest information helps guests decide whether they’d like to experience everyday life on your farm. A description of the actual location is more helpful than the general term ‘rural’.
Are all outdoor areas automatically included as part of the accommodation?
No. Clearly specify which gardens, seating areas or paths may be used and where private or business areas begin. This also applies if the entire farm is visible in a photograph. A clear breakdown helps travellers with children or pets in particular to assess the suitability of their stay whilst still in the planning stage.
How do I get started with the listing if I’m short on time?
Start by taking some good photos of the living areas and noting down the key details about the accommodation. Then add the special features of the farm that you would explain during a personal welcome. You don’t need a fully polished advertising text. A clear listing with specific information is a good start and can be created as part of the standard listing process on BookNoFees.
