How to take advantage of the UK boom in wellbeing retreats

/ Holmeshaw /

In recent articles, we have explored the booming UK staycation market and how investors are capitalising on the  property rental opportunities it offers. Among the positive trends emerging since the pandemic is the UK boom in wellbeing retreats.

People have recognised the importance of:

  • Taking breaks

  • Getting away more frequently with their family

  • Being at one with nature

  • Increasing their self-care

Being confined to our homes during lockdown made everyone reassess the benefits of being at one with nature for our mental and physical wellbeing.

 

What has driven the UK boom in wellbeing retreats?

Post pandemic, people want to take advantage of the fantastic nature reserves, lakes, forests, and outdoor spaces the UK has to offer.

There has been a rise in activities like journalling, mindfulness, and yoga as people try to let go of everyday stresses, particularly those working from home.

Although, in theory, this gives workers greater flexibility and should help to create a better work/life balance, in practice it can be difficult to separate working and home environments.

This trend has been echoed in popular culture, which has seen an unprecedented rise in the popularity of outdoor pursuits like wild swimming.

Social media has provided people with a sense of belonging to a community by sharing wild swimming experiences during lockdown periods when municipal swimming pools had to remain closed.

Retreats close to wild swimming hotspots are very much in demand

However, there are also health benefits to wild swimming such as:

  • Improving circulation

  • Reducing stress

  • Boosting endorphin production

  • Improve sleep quality

This has led to many more people taking up the hobby.

Even the British Medical Journal reported that swimming in cold water led to a “significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression”, when compared to pool swimming.

The rise in popularity of being at one with nature has also been reflected in TV programmes such as Wim Hof’s ‘Freeze the Fear’, where a number of celebrities pitted their wits against nature in a series of extreme challenges.

 

Retreat holiday lodge investments with Holmeshaw

Norfolk

At Holmeshaw, we are therefore delighted to be able to offer our clients the chance to capitalise on the growth of the wellbeing and wellness sector of the UK holiday rental market, through our holiday lodge investment opportunity, Woodlakes Retreat @ Norfolk.

A View of our woodlakes park in Norfolk

Woodlakes Park is a stunning getaway, set in 66 acres of beautiful Norfolk wooded landscape near King’s Lynn.

This hidden gem offers seclusion in a forest setting whilst being situated in an accessible location.

Facilities on site include two independent restaurants offering a variety of cuisine and dining options including the recent addition of ‘dining pods’.

Dining pods with firepits for those chilly evenings

The location boasts five lakes, one of which is dedicated to wild swimming whilst another is a championship fishing lake.

For families keen to experience the wonders of nature, there is an ‘Enchanted Forest’ to explore. 

Each holiday lodge retreat comes fully furnished and has its own ice-bath and sauna.

The private verandas feature seating and hot tubs, with access to outside showers and firepits.

Visitors don’t have to leave those modern comforts behind during their retreat either, as lodges have kitchens, double glazing, and electric heating for those chilly evenings.

Nottingham

Our second alternative property investment location is the Sherwood Forest Retreat @Nottingham.

Set in the most famous forest in England, Sherwood Castle Holiday Forest offers visitors an accessible location from anywhere in the UK and is ideal for families wanting to relax and have fun.

Sherwood Forest retreat - luxury hot tubs surrounded by nature

Activities include swimming, tennis courts, a playpark, and it even boasts an onsite shop for those family essentials!

Set in 80 acres of woodland, there is ample opportunity for excited children to spot wildlife, such as buzzards, owls, deer, squirrels, hedgehogs, and badgers.

Upcoming developments are set to expand the facilities on offer with a dining village, street food vendors, a co-working space, a lounge area, and the creation of an ‘Enchanted Forest’ for a magical experience within the grounds.

Retreat Holiday Investments

Retreat holiday lodge investments are slightly different to general holiday parks both in their location and the variety of activities on offer:

  • Located in serene settings

  • Private ice-baths, hot tubs, ice-baths, and saunas

  • Freshwater lakes for wild swimming

  • Yoga classes

  • Gym and In-door swimming pool (Sherwood Forest)

  • Healthy food options in restaurants

  • Enchanted forest trails for both adults and children to enjoy

If you would like to find out more about the UK boom in wellbeing retreats and Holmeshaw holiday retreat investments, contact us  or you’ll find our downloadable investor guide, here.

Owning a holiday retreat lodge

You are in safe hands with Holmeshaw because we partner with one of the largest family-owned portfolio holders of holiday parks within the UK.

Since the pandemic, the holiday and travel habits of the nation have changed, with a focus on more frequent, better quality UK staycations to relax, unwind, be at one with nature and enjoy a break from both work and home life.   This is exactly why there has been, and continues to be, a UK boom in wellbeing retreats

And, according to recent reports and articles in the media like this one from Hospitality Investor, this type of UK staycation is set to rise even further in popularity and more people realise the importance of physical and mental wellbeing.

This combination of a boom in demand, breadth of holiday lodge appeal, and the potential for strong returns make it a sound investment opportunity.

The benefits of investing in a holiday lodge retreat include:

  • Fully managed, hand-free investment

  • Secured via 250-year lease registered with the UK Land Registry

  • Holiday let tax breaks

  • No council tax

  • Personal use of the lodge

  • Structure exit strategy with buy-back options

Of course, you need to understand the figures to determine whether a cash investment in holiday lodge retreats is right for you and your circumstances, as it requires a medium-term investment.

Below is an illustration of an investment into the Holmeshaw Woodland Lakes Retreat:

  • Initial cash investments start at £179,000

  • £14,320 per annum rental yield

  • 8% NET rental yield over a five year investment term of £71,600 

  • Site management and maintenance fees are included in these NET rental figures so there is nothing extra to pay

  • Buyback option of 110%, offering an extra £17,900 after the five year initial investment period

And, of course, what you use the £94,000 for at the end of the five year term is entirely up to you!

Whether you choose to give your kids a helping hand, provide extra income for your retirement or reinvest in other projects.

At Holmeshaw, we stand by our client promise that we only recommend holiday lodge investment opportunities that we would be happy to invest in ourselves.

If you would like to take advantage of the UK boom in wellbeing retreats and personally discuss your options, email us and a member of the Holmeshaw team will arrange to call back you to talk through the investment opportunities provided by Holmeshaw’s holiday retreat lodges.

 

As with all investments, Holmeshaw encourages investors to seek advice from a financial advisor before deciding to invest capital into property.