B&B Photography New Forest

[monkey]

Can I just check out with all of you what you think? I was unfortunately made redundant in May after a restructuring of the company I worked for. I have been searching endlessly for an office job (PA) since and with no luck at all. I have always wanted to run a B&B and have been thinking about whether to apply for a licence and insurances to run my home as a small B&B but centred on wildlife photography ie that I can show guests where to see different aspects of Hampshires Wildlife. I thought if I changed my car to a people mover I could take people to a lot of different things totally dependant on what they would like to see and supply picnic and tea/coffee etc. Do you think people would come to a place like that for a weekend break or longer and what do you think people would be prepared to pay a night? This is a photo of my garden and I think breakfast on the patio (weather permitting) would be a nice start to day



I have done a lot of research and there does not appear to be other establishments doing this in the area the only ones seem to be in Lake District and Scotland. No matter what season I love walking the New Forest etc but do you think people would come all year round or do you think it would be a limited season?

If anyone has any thoughts on this idea or can contribute any info I would be very grateful as this idea is haunting me at the moment and if I thought it would work I would love to do it I just need some more input and where better to get it than from WAB!!

Many thanks

Linda

[Hedera]

I hope you won't go into this singlehanded - you will need lots of help if you mean to take people about. There is a very good little book on Running a Bed & Breakfast probably available at your local library. My daughter and her husband are in this business, and it's hard work and needs lots of preparation. Early rise, prepare breakfasts, serve, clear, service rooms, washing, shopping :that's the morning gone. Then the ironing, cleaning lounge etc. Annual inspections if you are in the Green book or other advertised lists.
Don't be put off - your idea isa good one. Why not start with Day Groupsand visits. Put them up at the local pub to start with.

[monkey]

Thanks Hedera for your reply.

My Auntie has a B&B in Tewkesbury and so I know quite a bit about the running but I only have 2 spare rooms and as such it is not big enough for a B&B as such but thought maybe if I specialised in photography trips for wildlife as I know where so many things are which if you just turn up in the area you would not know where to find say Fallow Deer, red squirrels, hares, beaches etc etc and it is always lovely to have local knowledge rather than just B&B and trying to find it yourself? I have priced up B&B for sale and unfortunately they are so expensive in this area and my home is lovely with lots of woods and wildlife on the doorstep.

It is so difficult being out of work and trying to think of ways to go especially doing something you would enjoy!!

Linda

[loripo]

Sorry about the redundancy - not a pleasant situation. The B&B sounds like a good idea, why not try long weekends to start as there is such a lot of extra work you would need to cover sometime in the week if you are going to be out & about with guests. I think I would specify adults only if you are going to cater for people interested in photographing wildlife. Good luck

[BarryJ]

Hi
The B & B sounds like a great idea, I would be very interested.
As you say local knowledge is very helpfull. I try and visit the New Forest at least twice a year but tend to stick to the same old locations.
Where abouts are you based (approx) ?
Regards
Barry

[Tobyh]

I don't have much input but..

*edit to add* - Firstly I think it's a great idea!!

I'd like this kind of thing. Local knowledge is crucial if you are looking to get certain shots and I'd certainly be up for a visit.

A couple of things that would sway me / interest me are -

How are you located generally? Personally I don't like being stuck in the middle of town. Plenty of parking? Are you willing to get up at the crack of dawn to ferry people about - last week i was up at 4.30 to get the early insects - would you be willing to do that? How's your cooking - are you flexible enough to drop everything and go if the weather is suddenly right?

These are just a few of the thoughts that sprung to mind

I visited the New Forest last year and loved it. I did a bit of homework and was helped immensely by WAB members of course but still would have loved to get good shots of deer and maybe some some different birds such as nightjars. I would definitely go back (and am considering this coming year). I picked my eventual location to stay by using google earth to see what the surrounding area was like. And it was gorgeous!

TobyH

[ron1863]

Go for it Linda, if you don't you would always regret it, and if it fails, what have you really lost. At least you would be doing something you enjoy and making money from it.

[monkey]

Originally Posted by ron1863

Go for it Linda, if you don't you would always regret it, and if it fails, what have you really lost. At least you would be doing something you enjoy and making money from it.

The thought of doing this really excites me a lot more than working in the office again and under so much pressure! I am just concerned if I would make enough money to pay the bills as I am the only bread winner!!

Originally Posted by loripo

Sorry about the redundancy - not a pleasant situation. The B&B sounds like a good idea, why not try long weekends to start as there is such a lot of extra work you would need to cover sometime in the week if you are going to be out & about with guests. I think I would specify adults only if you are going to cater for people interested in photographing wildlife. Good luck

Thank you Loripo for your help and yes I think I would start with doing long weekends and definately adults only as the H&S with the pond in the garden would be endless as well as the difficulties in the terrain in a lot of the areas of the Forest with bogs and streams etc

Originally Posted by Tobyh

I don't have much input but..

*edit to add* - Firstly I think it's a great idea!!

I'd like this kind of thing. Local knowledge is crucial if you are looking to get certain shots and I'd certainly be up for a visit.

A couple of things that would sway me / interest me are -

How are you located generally? Personally I don't like being stuck in the middle of town. Plenty of parking? Are you willing to get up at the crack of dawn to ferry people about - last week i was up at 4.30 to get the early insects - would you be willing to do that? How's your cooking - are you flexible enough to drop everything and go if the weather is suddenly right?

These are just a few of the thoughts that sprung to mind

I visited the New Forest last year and loved it. I did a bit of homework and was helped immensely by WAB members of course but still would have loved to get good shots of deer and maybe some some different birds such as nightjars. I would definitely go back (and am considering this coming year). I picked my eventual location to stay by using google earth to see what the surrounding area was like. And it was gorgeous!

TobyH

Thanks Toby for your ideas definately food for thought. I am located close to easy travel locations ie airport, station and M27 but not so that you would notice it is very rural and there is a very large wood(with fields and pond) on the other side of the lane from my house. I have parking for 5 cars.At weekends I regularly get up before daylight to go out as I like to be there for sunrise and before the 'dogwalkers' so I am not worried about early mornings (the deer meet wabbers will vouch for that!!!!)My cooking is good as far as I have always been told and no food poisoning reported!!! As far as the 'drop everything for the weather' I have been thinking about that a lot and as the only bread winner I would need commitment on bookings and I always go out in any weather all year of course I know that for butterflies and insects it is especially relevant what the weather conditions are but I think it would have to be more a case of 'paying for the booking and fingers crossed' I would still take people to see some wildlife even if not their specific 1st choise? What do you think? Can I be really cheaky and ask if you just paid ordinary B&B prices would you pay more for a guided facility?

Originally Posted by BarryJ

Hi
The B & B sounds like a great idea, I would be very interested.
As you say local knowledge is very helpfull. I try and visit the New Forest at least twice a year but tend to stick to the same old locations.
Where abouts are you based (approx) ?
Regards
Barry

Thanks for the reply and great to know people are interested it is encouraging. I will pm you my approx location

Thank you everyone for your input and keep it coming it is such a big decision but an exciting one as I am getting so fed up sitting at my laptop everyday fruitlessly searching for an office job which I can apply for along with approx 300 other people per job!! Any jobs that come a long are taken of the web by lunchtime as they have so many applicants! One I applied for yesterday had had 27 applications in the first 30mins I would much rather be out with my camera!!!

Linda

[loripo]

Definately charge for your time as a guide, you would be providing a very important extra.
Can you advertise on WAB when you are up and running please

[Tobyh]

I agree - your time is a resource, I think you would have to charge for it!

Would I pay more for a B+B with a guided facility? I would yes but I think you'd need to be specific about what that entailed otherwise people may take advantage (expecting your input 100%). I think also you'd need to be proactive for some people and just offer a little guidance for others, it will really vary I guess.

Weather wise I was thinking just about being flexible if for instance it's chucking it down then suddenly stops - if you have people that want a guide you may need to just drop and go when the weather suits.

TobyH

[skywatcher]

I think it's a great idea. I'd definitely come down to the NF if I thought there was a reliable place to stay with somebody who knew about the area from a wildlife/photography point of view.

Do let us all know if you go ahead with this.
Rosie