GLAMPING CASE STUDY
How Go Glamp Built Kent’s Highest-Rated Glamping Site with a Traditional Mongolian Yurt
A family-run, six-acre retreat in the Kent countryside proves that authenticity, personality, and a well-chosen yurt can drive exceptional guest reviews and repeat bookings.
9.6
Pitchup Rating
155+
Guest Reviews
6
Acres of Countryside
£105
Per Night (Yurt)
The Site: A Hidden Corner of the Kent Countryside
Go Glamp sits on six acres of land between the villages of Headcorn and Smarden in Kent — close enough to London for a weekend escape, yet tucked away enough to feel genuinely rural. Owned and run by Alan and Kim, the site is a family affair: friendly, hands-on, and full of personal touches that guests notice immediately.
The location itself contributes to the experience. The nearby Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden means guests can hear lions roaring at dusk — an unexpected thrill that features in review after review. Headcorn Aerodrome provides occasional displays of vintage aircraft, hot air balloons, and wing-walkers overhead. A trainline along the boundary offers occasional Pullman and steam trains for anyone watching from the fields.
The Accommodation Mix — and the Yurt at the Centre
Go Glamp offers a range of accommodation: bell tents (standard and large), a shepherd’s hut, a glamping shack, and bring-your-own tent or campervan pitches with electric hook-up. But the centrepiece — and the accommodation that commands the highest nightly rate — is their traditional Mongolian yurt.
Priced at £105 per night (with a small weekend supplement), the yurt sleeps up to four and comes fully furnished. It sits on its own decking with a private outdoor area, making it the premium option on site. For context, standard bell tents start at £65 and the large bell tent at £95 — the yurt naturally sits at the top of the price tier, reflecting the unique experience it offers.
Why does the yurt command a premium? Guests consistently describe it as the standout accommodation on site. The circular structure, the natural light through the crown, the timber lattice walls — these aren’t features you can replicate with a canvas bell tent. A Mongolian yurt is a fundamentally different proposition, and guests are willing to pay more for it.
What Guests Say
Go Glamp holds a 9.6 out of 10 rating on Pitchup.com from over 155 reviews — an exceptionally high score in a competitive market. The yurt receives particular attention in guest feedback.
“We stayed in the Yurt which was amazingly comfortable and gave us plenty of space even with our son and 2 dogs.”
— Pitchup.com guest review
“We were offered an upgrade from the Frogdale cabin to the Yurt. An amazing large space with everything you need.”
— Pitchup.com guest review
Several themes recur across reviews: the spaciousness of the yurt compared to other glamping options, the warmth of the hosts, the cleanliness of the facilities, and those unexpected extras — Friday-night pizzas delivered to your pitch, complimentary weekend drinks, and the sound of big cats in the distance.
The Business Model: Personal Touches at Scale
What makes Go Glamp instructive for anyone considering a glamping yurt investment is how the site is operated. Alan and Kim live on-site, so they’re available when guests need them. But they’ve also systematised the experience with smart, low-cost additions that elevate the stay without dramatically increasing overheads.
Friday Pizza Night
Homemade pizzas delivered to each pitch — a simple additional revenue stream that guests love and talk about in reviews.
Complimentary Drinks
A welcome Pimm’s on Saturday afternoons creates a community atmosphere and gives the site a personal, hospitable feel.
Big Cat Theming
Each accommodation unit is named after a big cat from the nearby sanctuary — an imaginative detail that ties the site to its location.
Huffkins Coffee Hut
New for 2026: a branded coffee hut serving pastries and breakfast rolls — added revenue without the complexity of a full café.
The site also benefits from being dog-friendly (including a new designated off-lead area), family-friendly, and open to campervan guests — broadening the customer base beyond glampers alone.
The Numbers: A Straightforward Revenue Picture
At £105 per night for the yurt (rising to £115 on Friday and Saturday nights), the revenue potential is significant. Even on a conservative estimate of 100 booked nights across a May–September season, a single yurt generates over £10,000 in direct accommodation revenue — before accounting for extras like firewood sales, pizza nights, or coffee hut income.
For a fuller picture of what a yurt can return for a glamping business, take a look at our Investment Guide & ROI Calculator, which models seasonal and year-round scenarios across different yurt sizes.
Why a Traditional Mongolian Yurt Works for Glamping
Go Glamp’s experience illustrates several advantages that a traditional Mongolian yurt brings to a glamping site.
Premium Positioning
The yurt commands the highest nightly rate on site — guests recognise and pay for authenticity.
Visual Distinctiveness
The circular profile, carved door, and timber crown create a memorable first impression that photographs well for marketing and social media.
Spacious Interior
The open-plan layout and generous headroom make the yurt feel substantially bigger than a bell tent — a point guests comment on repeatedly.
UK-Weather Resilience
Properly insulated yurts handle the British climate — rain, wind, cooler nights — keeping guests comfortable through the season. Read about yurt energy efficiency.
Lessons for Aspiring Glamping Site Owners
Go Glamp didn’t set out to build a luxury mega-resort. They started with land, a passion for hospitality, and a curated mix of accommodation — with a Mongolian yurt as the flagship. The formula that’s worked for them is worth noting.
Start with a standout unit. The yurt gives the site its identity. It photographs beautifully, commands premium pricing, and draws guests who might then return for a bell tent stay.
Be present and personal. On-site owners who greet guests, deliver pizzas, and respond to queries are irreplaceable. It’s reflected directly in that 9.6 rating.
Add experiences, not just beds. Coffee huts, live music evenings, themed naming — these cost relatively little but create the kind of memorable details that turn a one-night stay into a recommendation.
Choose quality accommodation that lasts. A well-made yurt can serve for years with proper maintenance and care. It’s an investment that pays back season after season.
Explore Go Glamp
If you’d like to see the site for yourself or book a stay, visit goglamp.co.uk, browse their photo gallery on Pitchup, or get in touch with Alan and Kim directly.
Thinking About Adding a Yurt to Your Glamping Site?
We supply authentic Mongolian yurts to glamping businesses across the UK — with honest advice, hands-on support, and yurts that are built to last.
Related Reading on Yurt Specialists
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📊 Investment Guide & ROI Calculator — Model your return
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🧘 Nina Alexander’s Wellness Yurt — Case study
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✅ Why Buy from Yurt Specialists — Family-run, Oxford-based
