For sure you should keep Mapperton Gardens open in the winter. Definitely get the coffee bar. Lots of us want to travel off-season and want to visit Mapperton.
Keeping the gardens open is a great idea, but I think you'll find maintaining the vending machine a nightmare. Better to keep the cafe open to limited service hours and offerings. Having a real person visible on the property provides the on site evidence that the property is being cared for and people will behave when there's oversite. I think you'll find the worst of people coming out with a vending machine. Also, I love the sledge idea for your children's play area. And the dinosaur idea would work if you can show evidence on your estate of actual Jurassic evidence. As for the cabin idea: I think the black ones would integrate into your copses really well. They would melt into the landscape.
@@missmartylynn I think you are right about the coffee machine. They would be better off with a coffee cart with a barista. Also what does the coffee taste like coming from the machine?
Just watched a RUclips site on interior design home tour called Homeworthy. It was an historical home in New Orleans filmed a year ago. He had a beautiful portrait of the Vicountess of Sandwich from the auction of your ancestral home. I wasn’t sure if you knew about it or not, but it would be neat for both of you to see it since you’ll both be so close when your both traveling down to one of our Southern States. Sorry I’m off topic here, but just got thru watching that RUclips channel as well.
To be fair, sometimes Luke cuts Julie off too, but she does it more probably. 😀My thing is Julie is the only / main on-camera star for their other two RUclips channels, so she can at least allow Luke to shine / lead on this one.
It was funny because right before he gently pushed back, I was thinking to myself "Golly, Julie will not let Luke finish a single thought!" Clearly, their dynamic works for them, but as a viewer it can be jarring.
Have you joined the Food Finder's Hub? Even if it is just someone on the estate selling honey or eggs. This needs to become a movement,the selling of healthy British food.
You guys are the best couple, your real and I love how you guys are and thank you for taking us along your vision of your property, I want nothing but success for you and your family♥♥
I loved the slides for kids to go downhill on & it reminded me of my childhood in Australia in the 1950s when we had billy cart races down the hills, my grandkids in the early 2000s loved sliding down the hill near my place on cardboard boxes. You have hills, so why not organise a race day, or set aside a hillside where the kids can slide down. Luke is so correct when he states that kids are too coddled up in protection in case they get hurt!! I agree wholeheartedly with him. You just have the parents or guardians sign to say that they take responsibility & let the kids be kids!! The more they are allowed to go outdoors & become athletic in natural surroundings, the more agile they will become & so the less injuries they will sustain. We were never indoors unless it was raining but out & about climbing trees, chasing one another, having wars between ourselves & generally enjoying life to the full. You would do well with glamping, or just creating a park where folks can come for the weekend or a few days bringing their tents or vans & you just provide an open kitchen, barbeque area, toilets & bathroom facilities as well as fresh water & possibly electricity to the sites along with instructions that they take their rubbish with them or else you provide a large dumpster that is emptied by a local council once a week. Everything is done online when booking to come. We have many parks here in Australia that are run that way especially along some of our coastline in South Australia that are very popular & people respect the privilege & don't leave rubbish behind, plus a lot of them have special pits for campers to have their own fire often supplied with wood but not always, as we have a drier climate. I follow a couple who camp in a lot of these places.
I know the dinosaurs would be a big hit with kids at the play area in the woods. We used to get our largest crowds for our Family Fun Days. Every dinosaur crazy kid would want to go to Mapperton to play with dinosaurs.
the booking system being able to add on what you want when visiting Mapperton is an awesome idea, saves time for both the consumer and the staff at Mapperton. I agree with you that the pods and glamping structures were not really suited to the wilding side of Mapperton, they need something that is going to blend into its surroundings. Love this video, truly was worth your while going to this event.
JULIE actually has a great idea! Plus, the gift shop could be put into a vending machine, also, for the off-season easily! The souvenirs could easily be purchased that way when the gift shop is closed.
With your Jurassic coastline just a few miles away, the idea of the dinosaurs for the children might actually be a hit! I love the rewilding idea and to have 'platform tents' similar to what we have in California's Yosemite National Park for the High Sierra campgrounds might make sense. Separate tents that can sleep up to 6 (bunk beds) with a small wood stove for those chilly nights, with a central shower/bathroom (portable) and a separate dining tent, all heavy canvas with the platforms being hauled in by trucks for the season, then hauled away for the winter. That would require staff for the season to stock the bath house and change bedding, plus a kitchen and wait staff. Not exactly 'glamping', but affordable for the average family who might want to get away to explore the nearby coastline. If the acreage at Mapperton could handle moving the 'campground' on a rotational basis, that would make it more interesting for families to become repeat visitors. If there are beach walks where one could find fossils, even more exciting for the younger families! Anyway, a thought!
You have sheep and being a spinner and knitter I see shepherd huts with sheep in view. Workshops about keeping sheep, talks about shepherds, sheepdogs and workshops in using hand spindles and or spinning wheels, spinning etc. This can involve all members of a family and kids would have fun learning these skills. Create a small selection of patterns...fingerless gloves, scarves, shawls, socks. A three day fiber fun weekend priced to include fiber, pattern, etc and instruction, some kind of tour of the land, a visit to nearby shops that sell related items. The ecological value of keeping sheep and using wool. And the opportunity to purchase Mapperton wool ....Oh my wool brain is in full gear....
My wool brain is kicking in again .... wool felting for children and adults would be a fun, easy craft to add to the list. Another workshop I see is little felted ornaments featuring Mapperton wildlife... Quackers the goose, the turtle, ponies, beavers, cows, deer etc. These could all be sold as individual kits or sets they could be on Christmas trees in the shop / house with kits available for purchase in the shop or online. Lucets for making square braids or cords would also be a fun craft. They date back to the viking and medieval periods and children and adults can do this.
Luke’s hair is very well groomed and lovely, interesting conference , hope there are lots of ideas you can use at Mapperton ❤I think the computer booking system is awesome and would be very good for MAPPERTON
I like Julie's idea for winter opening of the garden. You could have a ticketed opening that included a free drink, even simple snacks, from a vending machine. The ticketing system that you looked at would probably incorporate this. I also liked the idea of the grass sledge, but for adults. You could have sledge racing.
Im so excited about your endeavor! Some here in the US have bumper stickers saying "no farms no food". Big industry has taken over too much with commercial farming. They use toxic pesticides and gmos that are poisoning our food supply. I live in the pacific northwest where there are markets that are more conscientious about selling their food from local organic farms. Its so much healthier. I cant wait to see what you do with this.
Hi Julie and Luke. This was a very interesting behind the scenes look. The event you went to seemed invaluable for an estate like yours. I wonder if you've considered having a large event where crafts people, who specialise in rare restoration projects, such as are very much needed in the UK could hold talks, demonstrations, workshops, for people interested in learning and improving skills in rare crafts. This could be an event worth travelling to for a lot of people. Best of luck as you work so hard to make the estate viable.
Id like to add a further suggestion towards your idea of having visitors to Mapperton garden in winter or at least up to end November maybe and resume at start of February. Plant a Winter Garden. Your current Head Gardener would know what to plant and how to maintain it. The idea of walking round Mapperton garden sipping a hot coffee would be even more attractive if it included a walk through a part full of specifcally winter flower and colour things. Not under glass but outdoors. I've heard Cambridge Botanic Garden has got a stunning Winter Garden. Yours could be on a smaller scale of course. It would involve some cost but maybe you could work with a local garden centre and they might supply plants (free or at discount ) in return for ads at Mapperton,subtle ones. Some stunning Winter plants are Chimonanthus fragrans known as Wintersweet, Clematis cirrhosa,and the variety Freckles is rightly noted as once it gets going its exuberantly joyously abundant. Your Head Gardener can tell you loads more. Don't spoil Lady Sandwichs lovely classic design and there may be some of the ones I have mentioned already but add a bit on. Use a bit of the surrounding ground for the new Winter Walk. Trouble is everything costs money and no guarantee of a return. I would love to visit Mapperton but I would want to stay at least one night over due to the relative isolation of Mapperton which frustratingly for you is what gives your land it's specialness. It's not yet been de-souled by the developers and turned into ANYPLACE. I'm not a fan of Beavers. I just dont like them. But I've heard that Roast Beaver is delicious. That place you had your Beavers. I got why they didnt like it. It was dark and muddy and uninspiring and the trees there were not the kind they like. Mmm,roast Beaver hope it'll be on the cafe menu next summer.
This is so cool, thank you so much for taking us along. I really want Mapperton to succeed intact. The rewilding project is important to the entire planet, but especially to England and Wales which have been over farmed and over developed for the land mass to the detriment of the wild species (except the deer, of course). I get so excited watching the plans and changes, and your dedication to the estate. If I was not in the US and stuck here even (though a lot of us would like to leave), I would certainly be visiting.
Rewilding is a WEF strategy to remove all private ownership of land and our recent UK budget inheritance tax scam is part of that strategy. I used to think rewilding was charming and good until I learned a lot more about it. Luke and Julie are very brave and imaginative but they are the first targets in the sights of the ENEMY who want us all to OWN NOTHING.
Coming from an Old Bobsleder......PLEASE.......Buy the kids a lawn sled. It looks Fantastic. Cheers from NYC and a Happy Holiday Season to All of You. It's so lovely to see all the different directions you are looking at, to draw more interest. I am so looking to come and visit in the Spring. Until then, Much Love & Many Blessings. Keep up the Great Work !!!! I just love where your heads are at. It's so fun to watch Julie's expression when she really likes something. There's no hiding her enthusiasm.
These days you have to be innovative without overworking yourself, good luck and we wish you every success, we‘ve just returned from a holiday in England and Wales and I‘ve found stately homes don’t offer any special food but rather the American style take away food, I know it’s essential to have money making venues, I would like to see serving the same or similar food you eat yourself and not just fit for peasants
There are quite a few interesting ideas there! The sleds, no, ask your insurance agent about liability. Disc golf is VERY popular, they have tournaments and you can provide self camp areas! Julie your hair looks beautiful up like that! You should wear it like that, especially when visiting other homes and castles!
I you do the Coffee Bar Vending Machine ... you would need to build a tiny building to put it in, almost like a Guard Shack. So the architecture of that little building would fit in better with Mapperton, and then have signage at the entrance to alert visitors to go and find the Coffee Bar.
Sooo glad you’re looking at high end camping! I’d come from Canada for sure!!! It would probably be cheaper and more ideal to your aesthetic if you look at building a village with your own people! Rustic wood, fireplace warm beautiful fabrics, caravan type style…like people would have been traveling through and discover your fantastic property. (I’m thinking time period around the time Mapperton was built). This combined with a little village/market set up in the outbuildings you are currently using for storage is a real destination vacation! I see it clearly in my mind!
Hello from Charleston, SC. I thought of you & Mapperton because I just visited The Biltmore for Thanksgiving.Truly an amazing operation they have going on at The Biltmore. You should go for some inspiration!!
Yes, they have as many visitors in December as they do during summer by doing Christmas tours. It's magnificent. You could do just weekends, have carriage rides, bon fires with cocoa, Santa,unlimited possibilities.
Those sledges remind me of my childhood. A lady in our neighborhood had a veritable “playground” in her yard! Julie should know about it. There was a “ride” on a track one climbed up, got on and DOWN we went! Weeee. I don’t remember any of us falling off or getting hurt. Do Girl Guides primitive camp? I did as a Girl Scout growing up. We pitched tents, slept on the ground(with a ground cloth) cooked over an open fire, went hiking and did a Service project wherever we did so. All the while learning about Nature. My late Mom was one of my Leaders and she would be so excited about the Rewilding Project! I’d suggest you check with the local Guides to see if camping at Mapperton could be an option for them.
Just watched your Dead Duck video. My suggestion for the crossing at the convergence of the two steams is build a Bridge over the River Kwai. Bad location for a pond the surrounding trees make it difficult for the ducks or birds to fly away.
Larger birds like geese in areas like this will generally make their way to the adjacent fields to take off. They can land easily enough but will usually land in open spaces and then make their way into the secluded areas. We have lots of birds in my area where there are roads dissecting their usual paths through woods and undergrowth to ponds as the area has become quite over developed. I've even gotten out of my car to herd (hurry) them along as they often hold up traffic.
Gelato and disc golf get my votes! My five bys all loved getting out to play disc gold at a local course. My experience from when I lived in the UK, was that your ice cream needed better and richer flavoring. Gelato would fit the bill.
I must say, as a conservative American, I am very excited about your wilding project. Your speaking to the re-wilding gentleman in the video reminded me of how much grass roots encouragement we are lacking here in the U.S. to move forward with a project such as you propose that would help hundreds of farmers in saving their homesteads .There are sooooo many small Farmer’s and homesteaders here in the U.S. that would be excited about the re-wilding idea if that would allow them to possibly keep their family homesteads intact. I hope someone here in the U.S. sees this video and proposes this program countrywide. I am 1000% sure this is a fabulous idea. Kudos guys, you make my heart swell at your drive and dedication.
I believe lots of good things are coming to farmers, beginning in January. Just getting rid of the inheritance tax will be such a relief. I've heard it mentioned numerous times so it's on his radar. Biden not allowing farms to irrigate in the Midwest would soon destroy food supply. Then we have the steroids being injected into our meat. I have a family member who raises chickens for Tyson. Chicks are delivered to him at 3 days old, they are fed food Tyson provides. In six weeks they are picked up full grown and butchered. The process would take 7-8 months without steroids. I won't buy Tyson.It's unbelievable how much damage can be done in four years but unfortunately the US has just witnessed it.
There are amazing rewilding programs happening in the states and lots of innovations in farm to table agriculture. Sadly our recent elections will now ensure that all ag $ goes to giant corporate farms.
If you tie the old craft making for kids to what artisans did in the era of Mapperton, you don’t need the cheap dinosaur fakes. Adults & kids learn skills which last a lifetime. For instance there could be spun wool and bamboo knitting needles for sale in your shop and a workshop geared for teaching knitting for kids and/or adults. Similar skills are learned at such schools like Waldorf/Steiner schools, which dot the countryside in England. (Arrange a visit to one and speak with the handwork teachers in that school….visit a classroom to see the children play with true objects from the natural world….sticks, stones, acorns & leaves!) Maybe spinning wool from the sheep with the help of spinners from around the countryside. Hurray Julie for sticking to the natural crafting arts that could be offered instead of awful plastic, cold mockery of the natural world and it’s inhabitants! If I were visiting, I would not appreciate a coffee or wintertime hot chocolate from a vending machine but would respond to a human being taking my order for one. It’s the human connections which count between beings, whether humans or animals.
Julie and Luke, you are not "picky." You are consciously conserving precious Mapperton. The gross amount of imported toys and nonsense featured is ill-suited to your estate and our planet. Thank you for being thoughtful. 🌱
If i were to visit Mapperton, or even any of the other historic British estates, i would probably not be interested in vending machine coffee. I think a coffee made from a historic recipe would be on the menu, along with other food's from different time periods. I like cowboy coffee, it's made with a special metal pot that is cared for much like cast iron, no soap. The great thing about this coffee, is that the rolling boil process removes the acid, and its much smoother, my grandpa learned to make it back in wwll. When i was a kid, he used to make it, and i would sneak a drink, and would always be amazed how much smoother it was than the coffee my mom made in a regular mr. coffee type machine from the early 70's and 80's. The cowboys had a cook back when they drove the cattle to pasture, or across large tracts of land to be sold at auction, or transported north by the rail line. The cook would add a cup of ground coffee to the kettle, bring it to a boil on the cook stove, and then just let it do a rolling boil for around 3-6 minutes, depending on how coarse the coffee was ground. The rolling boil removes the acid, helping the stomach issue's people would have back in the 1800's. This event seems to have plenty of idea's for Mapperton, i think selling locally sourced, or specialty sourced item's makes sense in a unique setting such as your estate. Attempting to do different thing's with the land makes sense, and returning it back to the wild in places will draw people interested in those thing's. I still think the tapestries need the first love, imagine the time involved in the creation of such beautiful work's. G-d bless.
When I was visiting Croatia this fall, gelato shops were everywhere and it is so good!! The Dalmatian coast of Croatia, on the Adriatic sea, is directly across the water from Italy. I kept thinking that it looked so much like videos and pictures that I've seen of Italy and when I saw where Croatia was located on a map, my impressions all made sense. It may sound funny that I didn't know where I was going exactly, but the trip was rather last minute. I went there with my sister to bury her Croatian born husband in his family plot, so when we decided to go to Split, after the funeral, that's when I looked at a map. It's a beautiful area of Europe. I highly recommend visiting.
Wow! You need your own YT channel to share these adventures. We had a motorhome and traveled what we call “Full Time” and it was a unique way of life and fun. Then we were ready to call it quits and got weary of the nomadic life. But, back to Mapperton, glamping would probably be perfect, hoping people are respectful of the Montague’s land.
@JMarSa-1 Were home permanently due to health issues. That was long before RUclips or the big glamping craze. That's just what we did. Luxury in the outdoors.
Discgolf might work? It is not golf-golf-money, but it is much lower cost as well. Could work up an appetite for a cafe visit, at least. 😁 I have no idea how popular it would be, but there should be awesome lands for it.
I survived broken bones and many scabs as a kid, but my parents weren't waiting to bring a law suit against someone else. Agree with Julie that health & safety is a concern for the sledges. Also, maybe you could connect with the nearby Jurassic coast safari tours. They offer a variety of tents, gypsy caravans, shepard huts, and other removable options to consider for your own seasonal visitors.
The coffee machine could be used by campers as well. It would be nice if you could add an area that has toilets, shower ( where water shuts off automatically after a set time), and a fee based washing and drying machine facility in one of your buildings for overnight guests that also includes a coffee machine. You could add an additional fee for use of the facilities with options for 1 day or a flat fee for up to 3 or 4 days ( or whatever ever number you choose). You may be surprised how popular it is.
my feet hurt when I see those distant halls, so thanks to be able to enjoy as a relaxed very natural couch potato over here - those cabins really look luxurious with lots of cleaning for each use, more attractive to have people camping and take their stuff away with them again...maybe just have them wander (as on the Appalachian trail) with just some open wooden huts, some rivers to cross, beavers to be searched (maybe a reward when found?), extras: swim in a slimy pool or slide down a hill on the way to a cafe machine - best wishes ❤👍
Luke and Julie: I believe your best bet to bring money to the estate would be to market yourself as a glamping destination and wedding/couples retreat. The rewilding is great and once you restore most of the cottages around the estate you can then market yourself as that. You make your current weakness, which is the isolation of your estate into a plus. You have lots of forests, hills, streams and the ocean nearby. And you also have other historic houses and sites nearby. All of this can be made into a package deal with various tiers and sold online to locals as well as internationally. Folks from the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Australia would probably love to get married, honeymoon, or just spend quality time at your estate. Again, you would need to set up various package deals (at different prices) and offer them on your website. For the international couples I would even go as far as limousine or some kind of transportation from the nearest airport to the estate.
I agree, the Biltmore is the largest privately owned mansion in the US. It is located in Asheville, NC USA. At one time it was fast moving to ruin but the family has used smart diversity to make it both hugely successful tourism site and self sustaining enterprise raising organic fruits and vegetables and raising their own livestock to provide dairy and meats. They also raise sheep I believe. Yiu should reach out to them
Built by George Vanderbilt, brother of Cornelius Vanderbilt who built The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island. Both Grandsons of patriarch Cornelius Vanderbilt who started the dynasty with his shipping then railroad lines. (Former Breakers guide here.😊)
Hi Julie and Luke, First I love England's devotion to preservation, along with other European countries. Julie, I do agree with you that a coffee bar would be prefect for the off season when it's generally colder out, add a hot chocolate choice for the kiddos and you're all set. Maybe a water vendor machine as well. Not that everyone wants a tri-colored cow, but if you don't already, maybe sell small stuffed animals of what to do have at Mapperton. This looks like a fun and informative event. Looking forward to what you decide with the overnight stays. Thanks for sharing. Love from N.Y.
Add some hot spiced apple cider to the hot chocolate alternative for non-coffee drinkers! Or a tea bag assortment with free hot water! My concern would be having sufficient garbage cans available along the walks to encourage the visitors to properly take care of used cups!
What about the kinds of tents they have on safaris in Africa? Probably much cheaper than the pods and only have them up in the season, take them down in off season? Regarding the coffee bar, you need hot chocolate for the kids.
You might want to check out the American's "Log Cabin" industry. Is there also a vending machines for tea? I know we Americans love our coffee. But wouldn't you British visitors like their tea?
As a child living on our family farm in Nebraska, my brothers and I used to take our little red wagon and ride down a hill out in the pasture. Lots of fun, better than sledding in the winter!
Hi Luke and Julie! I'm an avid follower of Mapperton Live. Your channel is just brilliant. I've heard you speak about rewilding in this and other videos. I'm an artist that focuses on reconnecting with nature. Are there any books you recommend someone read who's new to the concept and wishes to explore an in-depth understanding? I'd be ever so grateful for book recommendations. ☺🌳
Would having horse stables and a riding school be something that could benefit The Mapperton Estates? Or adding a man made lake and stocking it with fish for people to come and enjoy fishing?
Must be so many great ideas there - spent a lot of time at trade shows at the nec when i had my shop it’s exhausting i hope you find the glamping youre looking for ❤
Luke and Julie, you need to internationalize your business to attract new customer bases in America, in the EU, and Japan. There are numerous individuals, organizations, philanthropic, scientific concerns, as well as folks involved in passing on rare skills to both career changers and younger people. One person I would definitely suggest you communicate with is Sir Peter Crane. Dr. Crane is the former head of Kew Gardens, Dean of the Yale University Environment School, and is now the Director of a new-ish estate-based garden and forest “rewilding” program in the area our beyond the Washington, DC suburbs in Virginia. The estate was the home of part of the Mellon Family and like Mapperton has many different buildings and a variety of sites. It is in Uppperville, Virginia, which is in the heart of the Virginia Hunt country. Sir Peter, I believe would be a great person for you to get to know, share ideas with, and consult with.
Hello! Ya know there's a place either here in the states or over there that has little hobbit homes that people can book and stay in. Y'all need to find someone that can build you some of them and let them out to guest. They make them with this moldable wire and this spray foam that hardens very well. Then you can either paint them or plant them out. In your case all planted up to look like a hobbit home. You can make them against a hillside, and they have kitchenettes and rest rooms.. bedroom x2 or 3 Then you can have your wildflowers all around. Oh and the Frisbee golf is huge in the states! Almost every park has a course, that would really get people out and about. There's so many different things you can do. Petting zoo would be a great idea, don't y'all have stables? Those need to be fixed up nice, add some corals, offer trail rides, riding lessons, horse boarding. Here people will take their own horses and ride trails out and camp. You could also offer the camping to schools for field trips, there's so many things. Have you ever thought of holding battle reenactments? Those are big here, also Celtic festival, people come and set up all sorts of merchandise tents and sell crafts they make that are related to the festival. I hope maybe some of these ideas help out. Oh and I know you're so excited about the computer thing to take orders but for real... people like that personal interaction with others. How about y'all be done if the first to bring the bears 😉🤣 Love y'all! Take care and God Bless ❤❤
You do have some empty barns and such that could be rebuilt into a woodland lodge for groups of like minded people. Then these people would have perhaps separated rustic cabins to sleep in . But in the lodge all meals will be served plus lectures, demonstrations, and then tours of the different parts of your estate.
Hi Julie, Hi Luke, have you thought of presenting an absolutely over the top American style outdoor Christmas light display in your gardens ? There are many very successful examples here in NY state. There’s always an entrance fee.
I think for glamping Yurts or some kind of large tent-like structure would be best. The structure you are standing next to at 9:44 might be better as far as permanent structures go and might blend in better if they had better color choices, maybe if you could have white instead of black exterior walls, or if the offered a faux stone siding to give the building an older look. You of course could build something custom to look a lot more like the old farm buildings around Mapperton, but that would also be at a much higher expense. Try not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good on this.
There is a glamping location on the Russian River in Northern California where the site that has the best facilities for visitors has an outdoor wood fired hot tub that fits exactly two people. It is beautiful in a rather a Japanese style. I think such a facility would be attractive to your more affluent clients/campers.
I love at end of day one he is like, no I'm done you can proLOL. I just want tea and to relax. My husband is the same way when he reaches his limit and my brain won't turn off and I try and talk to him about whatever plans we have going on with the house or whatever. He always gives me a look like, just please stop..I'm done. Lol.
I loved when Luke said, "We don't need to process anything, we just need a cup of tea." So English! I am going to have a cup of tea right now.
Me too. I have the kettle on.
For sure you should keep Mapperton Gardens open in the winter. Definitely get the coffee bar. Lots of us want to travel off-season and want to visit Mapperton.
There's no such thing as keeping a garden open in the winter unless you want to walk through barren land.
Keeping the gardens open is a great idea, but I think you'll find maintaining the vending machine a nightmare. Better to keep the cafe open to limited service hours and offerings. Having a real person visible on the property provides the on site evidence that the property is being cared for and people will behave when there's oversite. I think you'll find the worst of people coming out with a vending machine.
Also, I love the sledge idea for your children's play area. And the dinosaur idea would work if you can show evidence on your estate of actual Jurassic evidence.
As for the cabin idea: I think the black ones would integrate into your copses really well. They would melt into the landscape.
@@missmartylynn I think you are right about the coffee machine. They would be better off with a coffee cart with a barista. Also what does the coffee taste like coming from the machine?
Get a Winter Garden as per Cambridge Botanic Garden.designed,maybe by a seen on TV garden designer.
Just watched a RUclips site on interior design home tour called Homeworthy. It was an historical home in New Orleans filmed a year ago. He had a beautiful portrait of the Vicountess of Sandwich from the auction of your ancestral home. I wasn’t sure if you knew about it or not, but it would be neat for both of you to see it since you’ll both be so close when your both traveling down to one of our Southern States. Sorry I’m off topic here, but just got thru watching that RUclips channel as well.
I wish you two the best in figuring out how to make Mapperton more money to keep itself sustained.
Julie doesn't even let Luke finish a sentence before she interrupts. I loved it when he told her to let him finish what he was saying.
To be fair, sometimes Luke cuts Julie off too, but she does it more probably. 😀My thing is Julie is the only / main on-camera star for their other two RUclips channels, so she can at least allow Luke to shine / lead on this one.
Julie even interrupts Luke while she's holding the camera!! 😂😂😂 I have never heard whoever is behind the camera do that!! 😂😂😂
It was funny because right before he gently pushed back, I was thinking to myself "Golly, Julie will not let Luke finish a single thought!" Clearly, their dynamic works for them, but as a viewer it can be jarring.
I think she has ADHD.
I find it cringe worthy
Julie sure is full of energy. That was the impetus behind the rescue of Mapperton.
Have you joined the Food Finder's Hub? Even if it is just someone on the estate selling honey or eggs. This needs to become a movement,the selling of healthy British food.
The Roller pay system seems amazing. Be mindful of elderly guests and or cash guests.
You guys are the best couple, your real and I love how you guys are and thank you for taking us along your vision of your property, I want nothing but success for you and your family♥♥
I loved the slides for kids to go downhill on & it reminded me of my childhood in Australia in the 1950s when we had billy cart races down the hills, my grandkids in the early 2000s loved sliding down the hill near my place on cardboard boxes. You have hills, so why not organise a race day, or set aside a hillside where the kids can slide down. Luke is so correct when he states that kids are too coddled up in protection in case they get hurt!! I agree wholeheartedly with him. You just have the parents or guardians sign to say that they take responsibility & let the kids be kids!! The more they are allowed to go outdoors & become athletic in natural surroundings, the more agile they will become & so the less injuries they will sustain. We were never indoors unless it was raining but out & about climbing trees, chasing one another, having wars between ourselves & generally enjoying life to the full.
You would do well with glamping, or just creating a park where folks can come for the weekend or a few days bringing their tents or vans & you just provide an open kitchen, barbeque area, toilets & bathroom facilities as well as fresh water & possibly electricity to the sites along with instructions that they take their rubbish with them or else you provide a large dumpster that is emptied by a local council once a week. Everything is done online when booking to come. We have many parks here in Australia that are run that way especially along some of our coastline in South Australia that are very popular & people respect the privilege & don't leave rubbish behind, plus a lot of them have special pits for campers to have their own fire often supplied with wood but not always, as we have a drier climate. I follow a couple who camp in a lot of these places.
I know the dinosaurs would be a big hit with kids at the play area in the woods. We used to get our largest crowds for our Family Fun Days. Every dinosaur crazy kid would want to go to Mapperton to play with dinosaurs.
Mapperton stationary and notebooks!
Roflol 😂😂 poor Luke!! Julie please get that man a cup of tea!! 😆. Love you guys! I needed this chuckle.
the booking system being able to add on what you want when visiting Mapperton is an awesome idea, saves time for both the consumer and the staff at Mapperton. I agree with you that the pods and glamping structures were not really suited to the wilding side of Mapperton, they need something that is going to blend into its surroundings. Love this video, truly was worth your while going to this event.
JULIE actually has a great idea! Plus, the gift shop could be put into a vending machine, also, for the off-season easily! The souvenirs could easily be purchased that way when the gift shop is closed.
With your Jurassic coastline just a few miles away, the idea of the dinosaurs for the children might actually be a hit! I love the rewilding idea and to have 'platform tents' similar to what we have in California's Yosemite National Park for the High Sierra campgrounds might make sense. Separate tents that can sleep up to 6 (bunk beds) with a small wood stove for those chilly nights, with a central shower/bathroom (portable) and a separate dining tent, all heavy canvas with the platforms being hauled in by trucks for the season, then hauled away for the winter. That would require staff for the season to stock the bath house and change bedding, plus a kitchen and wait staff. Not exactly 'glamping', but affordable for the average family who might want to get away to explore the nearby coastline. If the acreage at Mapperton could handle moving the 'campground' on a rotational basis, that would make it more interesting for families to become repeat visitors. If there are beach walks where one could find fossils, even more exciting for the younger families! Anyway, a thought!
Christmas & Halloween should be a big time for visitors. Light up the gardens & have some great walk thrus. 🎄🎃
You have sheep and being a spinner and knitter I see shepherd huts with sheep in view. Workshops about keeping sheep, talks about shepherds, sheepdogs and workshops in using hand spindles and or spinning wheels, spinning etc. This can involve all members of a family and kids would have fun learning these skills. Create a small selection of patterns...fingerless gloves, scarves, shawls, socks. A three day fiber fun weekend priced to include fiber, pattern, etc and instruction, some kind of tour of the land, a visit to nearby shops that sell related items. The ecological value of keeping sheep and using wool. And the opportunity to purchase Mapperton wool ....Oh my wool brain is in full gear....
What a truly FANTASTIC idea! I would LOVE to do this! Then a workshop on tapestry design and repair!
@kathymcfarland5516 Great idea... things that relate to Mapperton's history and projects!
Get a historic dual purpose breed and you can also sell healthy British lamb for locals and visitors.
@@WayfaringDay brilliant idea !
My wool brain is kicking in again .... wool felting for children and adults would be a fun, easy craft to add to the list. Another workshop I see is little felted ornaments featuring Mapperton wildlife... Quackers the goose, the turtle, ponies, beavers, cows, deer etc. These could all be sold as individual kits or sets they could be on Christmas trees in the shop / house with kits available for purchase in the shop or online. Lucets for making square braids or cords would also be a fun craft. They date back to the viking and medieval periods and children and adults can do this.
Luke’s hair is very well groomed and lovely, interesting conference , hope there are lots of ideas you can use at Mapperton ❤I think the computer booking system is awesome and would be very good for MAPPERTON
thank you for taking us along on this journey. Your enthusiasm is delightful and I'm so excited to see what you move forward with at Mapperton.
I like Julie's idea for winter opening of the garden. You could have a ticketed opening that included a free drink, even simple snacks, from a vending machine. The ticketing system that you looked at would probably incorporate this.
I also liked the idea of the grass sledge, but for adults. You could have sledge racing.
LUKE you're actually a smartass by nature!
No he isn't
@@teresa-o3t I lovvvvvveeeee Luke’s sense of humor. It’s very dry, witty, and understated. The perfect foil to Julie’s.
Im so excited about your endeavor! Some here in the US have bumper stickers saying "no farms no food". Big industry has taken over too much with commercial farming. They use toxic pesticides and gmos that are poisoning our food supply. I live in the pacific northwest where there are markets that are more conscientious about selling their food from local organic farms. Its so much healthier. I cant wait to see what you do with this.
Hi Julie and Luke. This was a very interesting behind the scenes look. The event you went to seemed invaluable for an estate like yours. I wonder if you've considered having a large event where crafts people, who specialise in rare restoration projects, such as are very much needed in the UK could hold talks, demonstrations, workshops, for people interested in learning and improving skills in rare crafts. This could be an event worth travelling to for a lot of people. Best of luck as you work so hard to make the estate viable.
Id like to add a further suggestion towards your idea of having visitors to Mapperton garden in winter or at least up to end November maybe and resume at start of February. Plant a Winter Garden. Your current Head Gardener would know what to plant and how to maintain it. The idea of walking round Mapperton garden sipping a hot coffee would be even more attractive if it included a walk through a part full of specifcally winter flower and colour things. Not under glass but outdoors. I've heard Cambridge Botanic Garden has got a stunning Winter Garden. Yours could be on a smaller scale of course. It would involve some cost but maybe you could work with a local garden centre and they might supply plants (free or at discount ) in return for ads at Mapperton,subtle ones.
Some stunning Winter plants are Chimonanthus fragrans known as Wintersweet, Clematis cirrhosa,and the variety Freckles is rightly noted as once it gets going its exuberantly joyously abundant. Your Head Gardener can tell you loads more. Don't spoil Lady Sandwichs lovely classic design and there may be some of the ones I have mentioned already but add a bit on. Use a bit of the surrounding ground for the new Winter Walk. Trouble is everything costs money and no guarantee of a return. I would love to visit Mapperton but I would want to stay at least one night over due to the relative isolation of Mapperton which frustratingly for you is what gives your land it's specialness. It's not yet been de-souled by the developers and turned into ANYPLACE. I'm not a fan of Beavers. I just dont like them. But I've heard that Roast Beaver is delicious. That place you had your Beavers. I got why they didnt like it. It was dark and muddy and uninspiring and the trees there were not the kind they like. Mmm,roast Beaver hope it'll be on the cafe menu next summer.
In my area, Yurts for glamping are a big thing. You could feed off of the "wilding" idea and combine it with the old British Safari fascination.
Definitely look into keeping the gardens open for the winter. Hope this event inspired you and that you find a way to increase your income 😍😘
This is so cool, thank you so much for taking us along. I really want Mapperton to succeed intact. The rewilding project is important to the entire planet, but especially to England and Wales which have been over farmed and over developed for the land mass to the detriment of the wild species (except the deer, of course). I get so excited watching the plans and changes, and your dedication to the estate. If I was not in the US and stuck here even (though a lot of us would like to leave), I would certainly be visiting.
Rewilding is a WEF strategy to remove all private ownership of land and our recent UK budget inheritance tax scam is part of that strategy. I used to think rewilding was charming and good until I learned a lot more about it. Luke and Julie are very brave and imaginative but they are the first targets in the sights of the ENEMY who want us all to OWN NOTHING.
You two together are hysterical in the best way! Interesting show and thank you!
Coming from an Old Bobsleder......PLEASE.......Buy the kids a lawn sled. It looks Fantastic. Cheers from NYC and a Happy Holiday Season to All of You. It's so lovely to see all the different directions you are looking at, to draw more interest. I am so looking to come and visit in the Spring. Until then, Much Love & Many Blessings. Keep up the Great Work !!!! I just love where your heads are at. It's so fun to watch Julie's expression when she really likes something. There's no hiding her enthusiasm.
Gelato in the Cafe. Indian Runner Duck stuffed animal in the gift shop in memory of Quackers.
@@ibuguru brilliant!
Good afternoon from Texas ❤ . Thank you for always sharing your awesome videos. God bless you and your family 🙏🏻.
These days you have to be innovative without overworking yourself, good luck and we wish you every success, we‘ve just returned from a holiday in England and Wales and I‘ve found stately homes don’t offer any special food but rather the American style take away food, I know it’s essential to have money making venues, I would like to see serving the same or similar food you eat yourself and not just fit for peasants
There are quite a few interesting ideas there!
The sleds, no, ask your insurance agent about liability. Disc golf is VERY popular, they have tournaments and you can provide self camp areas!
Julie your hair looks beautiful up like that! You should wear it like that, especially when visiting other homes and castles!
I love the sledding idea! We're all just big kids!
I you do the Coffee Bar Vending Machine ... you would need to build a tiny building to put it in, almost like a Guard Shack. So the architecture of that little building would fit in better with Mapperton, and then have signage at the entrance to alert visitors to go and find the Coffee Bar.
Luke's right about the coffee bar.
Stunning setting!! Seems unreal. Beautiful home and amazing history. Thank you for sharing another brilliant tour.
Sooo glad you’re looking at high end camping! I’d come from Canada for sure!!! It would probably be cheaper and more ideal to your aesthetic if you look at building a village with your own people! Rustic wood, fireplace warm beautiful fabrics, caravan type style…like people would have been traveling through and discover your fantastic property. (I’m thinking time period around the time Mapperton was built). This combined with a little village/market set up in the outbuildings you are currently using for storage is a real destination vacation! I see it clearly in my mind!
This is my favorite channel… would love to stay at Mapperton someday
Hello from Charleston, SC. I thought of you & Mapperton because I just visited The Biltmore for Thanksgiving.Truly an amazing operation they have going on at The Biltmore. You should go for some inspiration!!
Yes, they have as many visitors in December as they do during summer by doing Christmas tours. It's magnificent.
You could do just weekends, have carriage rides, bon fires with cocoa, Santa,unlimited possibilities.
Glad to hear they are up & running. Was scared with all the damage Asheville sustained.
Those sledges remind me of my childhood. A lady in our neighborhood had a veritable “playground” in her yard! Julie should know about it. There was a “ride” on a track one climbed up, got on and DOWN we went! Weeee. I don’t remember any of us falling off or getting hurt.
Do Girl Guides primitive camp? I did as a Girl Scout growing up. We pitched tents, slept on the ground(with a ground cloth) cooked over an open fire, went hiking and did a Service project wherever we did so. All the while learning about Nature. My late Mom was one of my Leaders and she would be so excited about the Rewilding Project! I’d suggest you check with the local Guides to see if camping at Mapperton could be an option for them.
Just watched your Dead Duck video. My suggestion for the crossing at the convergence of the two steams is build a Bridge over the River Kwai. Bad location for a pond the surrounding trees make it difficult for the ducks or birds to fly away.
Larger birds like geese in areas like this will generally make their way to the adjacent fields to take off. They can land easily enough but will usually land in open spaces and then make their way into the secluded areas. We have lots of birds in my area where there are roads dissecting their usual paths through woods and undergrowth to ponds as the area has become quite over developed. I've even gotten out of my car to herd (hurry) them along as they often hold up traffic.
You can tell so much about people the way you treat others. I love how unpretentious you both are in all circumstances!!!
Love the rewilding. So inspiring.
time well spent, congratulations on so many good finds
Some times I think Luke is a big kid.😁
He's very intelligent
Gelato and disc golf get my votes! My five bys all loved getting out to play disc gold at a local course. My experience from when I lived in the UK, was that your ice cream needed better and richer flavoring. Gelato would fit the bill.
I must say, as a conservative American, I am very excited about your wilding project. Your speaking to the re-wilding gentleman in the video reminded me of how much grass roots encouragement we are lacking here in the U.S. to move forward with a project such as you propose that would help hundreds of farmers in saving their homesteads .There are sooooo many small Farmer’s and homesteaders here in the U.S. that would be excited about the re-wilding idea if that would allow them to possibly keep their family homesteads intact. I hope someone here in the U.S. sees this video and proposes this program countrywide. I am 1000% sure this is a fabulous idea. Kudos guys, you make my heart swell at your drive and dedication.
I believe lots of good things are coming to farmers, beginning in January. Just getting rid of the inheritance tax will be such a relief. I've heard it mentioned numerous times so it's on his radar. Biden not allowing farms to irrigate in the Midwest would soon destroy food supply. Then we have the steroids being injected into our meat. I have a family member who raises chickens for Tyson. Chicks are delivered to him at 3 days old, they are fed food Tyson provides. In six weeks they are picked up full grown and butchered. The process would take 7-8 months without steroids. I won't buy Tyson.It's unbelievable how much damage can be done in four years but unfortunately the US has just witnessed it.
There are amazing rewilding programs happening in the states and lots of innovations in farm to table agriculture. Sadly our recent elections will now ensure that all ag $ goes to giant corporate farms.
If you tie the old craft making for kids to what artisans did in the era of Mapperton, you don’t need the cheap dinosaur fakes. Adults & kids learn skills which last a lifetime. For instance there could be spun wool and bamboo knitting needles for sale in your shop and a workshop geared for teaching knitting for kids and/or adults. Similar skills are learned at such schools like Waldorf/Steiner schools, which dot the countryside in England. (Arrange a visit to one and speak with the handwork teachers in that school….visit a classroom to see the children play with true objects from the natural world….sticks, stones, acorns & leaves!) Maybe spinning wool from the sheep with the help of spinners from around the countryside. Hurray Julie for sticking to the natural crafting arts that could be offered instead of awful plastic, cold mockery of the natural world and it’s inhabitants! If I were visiting, I would not appreciate a coffee or wintertime hot chocolate from a vending machine but would respond to a human being taking my order for one. It’s the human connections which count between beings, whether humans or animals.
Hello from New Zealand, loving your channels and this was very interesting. Keep up the amazing work and content. Cheers 😀❤
I'm wondering if the ticket app man didn't think it was past time for Julies medication.😂
Julie and Luke, you are not "picky." You are consciously conserving precious Mapperton. The gross amount of imported toys and nonsense featured is ill-suited to your estate and our planet. Thank you for being thoughtful. 🌱
Right? Hate to see it become so gimmicky
If i were to visit Mapperton, or even any of the other historic British estates, i would probably not be interested in vending machine coffee. I think a coffee made from a historic recipe would be on the menu, along with other food's from different time periods. I like cowboy coffee, it's made with a special metal pot that is cared for much like cast iron, no soap. The great thing about this coffee, is that the rolling boil process removes the acid, and its much smoother, my grandpa learned to make it back in wwll. When i was a kid, he used to make it, and i would sneak a drink, and would always be amazed how much smoother it was than the coffee my mom made in a regular mr. coffee type machine from the early 70's and 80's. The cowboys had a cook back when they drove the cattle to pasture, or across large tracts of land to be sold at auction, or transported north by the rail line. The cook would add a cup of ground coffee to the kettle, bring it to a boil on the cook stove, and then just let it do a rolling boil for around 3-6 minutes, depending on how coarse the coffee was ground. The rolling boil removes the acid, helping the stomach issue's people would have back in the 1800's.
This event seems to have plenty of idea's for Mapperton, i think selling locally sourced, or specialty sourced item's makes sense in a unique setting such as your estate. Attempting to do different thing's with the land makes sense, and returning it back to the wild in places will draw people interested in those thing's. I still think the tapestries need the first love, imagine the time involved in the creation of such beautiful work's. G-d bless.
When I was visiting Croatia this fall, gelato shops were everywhere and it is so good!! The Dalmatian coast of Croatia, on the Adriatic sea, is directly across the water from Italy. I kept thinking that it looked so much like videos and pictures that I've seen of Italy and when I saw where Croatia was located on a map, my impressions all made sense. It may sound funny that I didn't know where I was going exactly, but the trip was rather last minute. I went there with my sister to bury her Croatian born husband in his family plot, so when we decided to go to Split, after the funeral, that's when I looked at a map. It's a beautiful area of Europe. I highly recommend visiting.
Glamping is an excellent idea for Mapperton. I could just picture it. I'm somewhat of a glamping expert. I clamped 300 out of 365 days for 10 years.
Wow! You need your own YT channel to share these adventures. We had a motorhome and traveled what we call “Full Time” and it was a unique way of life and fun. Then we were ready to call it quits and got weary of the nomadic life. But, back to Mapperton, glamping would probably be perfect, hoping people are respectful of the Montague’s land.
@JMarSa-1 Were home permanently due to health issues. That was long before RUclips or the big glamping craze. That's just what we did. Luxury in the outdoors.
This is Brilliant! 😊
Thank you! 😄
Discgolf might work? It is not golf-golf-money, but it is much lower cost as well. Could work up an appetite for a cafe visit, at least. 😁 I have no idea how popular it would be, but there should be awesome lands for it.
I survived broken bones and many scabs as a kid, but my parents weren't waiting to bring a law suit against someone else. Agree with Julie that health & safety is a concern for the sledges. Also, maybe you could connect with the nearby Jurassic coast safari tours. They offer a variety of tents, gypsy caravans, shepard huts, and other removable options to consider for your own seasonal visitors.
Julie you're like a nervous break down on legs.
@@debbiehollis5711😂😂😂😂
In Canada they have a company that sells bunkies and they fit in with nature and they are made out of wood so you might want to look into them.
The coffee machine could be used by campers as well. It would be nice if you could add an area that has toilets, shower ( where water shuts off automatically after a set time), and a fee based washing and drying machine facility in one of your buildings for overnight guests that also includes a coffee machine. You could add an additional fee for use of the facilities with options for 1 day or a flat fee for up to 3 or 4 days ( or whatever ever number you choose). You may be surprised how popular it is.
I enjoyed seeing all that the event offered, and your discussions around.
You have to get that ice cream!
my feet hurt when I see those distant halls, so thanks to be able to enjoy as a relaxed very natural couch potato over here - those cabins really look luxurious with lots of cleaning for each use, more attractive to have people camping and take their stuff away with them again...maybe just have them wander (as on the Appalachian trail) with just some open wooden huts, some rivers to cross, beavers to be searched (maybe a reward when found?), extras: swim in a slimy pool or slide down a hill on the way to a cafe machine - best wishes ❤👍
Luke and Julie: I believe your best bet to bring money to the estate would be to market yourself as a glamping destination and wedding/couples retreat. The rewilding is great and once you restore most of the cottages around the estate you can then market yourself as that. You make your current weakness, which is the isolation of your estate into a plus. You have lots of forests, hills, streams and the ocean nearby. And you also have other historic houses and sites nearby. All of this can be made into a package deal with various tiers and sold online to locals as well as internationally. Folks from the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Australia would probably love to get married, honeymoon, or just spend quality time at your estate. Again, you would need to set up various package deals (at different prices) and offer them on your website. For the international couples I would even go as far as limousine or some kind of transportation from the nearest airport to the estate.
I agree, the Biltmore is the largest privately owned mansion in the US. It is located in Asheville, NC USA. At one time it was fast moving to ruin but the family has used smart diversity to make it both hugely successful tourism site and self sustaining enterprise raising organic fruits and vegetables and raising their own livestock to provide dairy and meats. They also raise sheep I believe. Yiu should reach out to them
Built by George Vanderbilt, brother of Cornelius Vanderbilt who built The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island. Both Grandsons of patriarch Cornelius Vanderbilt who started the dynasty with his shipping then railroad lines. (Former Breakers guide here.😊)
They really really need to visit Biltmore and see everything they’ve done to attract visitors
@@LSTEdD1Very cool
@@LynnBFosterChristmas alone is fabulous 🎄
Mapperton wool jumpers!
You should decorate outdoors for Christmas and maybe do Christmas markets. I see some of the Estates do this.
Hi Julie and Luke, First I love England's devotion to preservation, along with other European countries. Julie, I do agree with you that a coffee bar would be prefect for the off season when it's generally colder out, add a hot chocolate choice for the kiddos and you're all set. Maybe a water vendor machine as well. Not that everyone wants a tri-colored cow, but if you don't already, maybe sell small stuffed animals of what to do have at Mapperton. This looks like a fun and informative event. Looking forward to what you decide with the overnight stays. Thanks for sharing. Love from N.Y.
Add some hot spiced apple cider to the hot chocolate alternative for non-coffee drinkers! Or a tea bag assortment with free hot water! My concern would be having sufficient garbage cans available along the walks to encourage the visitors to properly take care of used cups!
What about the kinds of tents they have on safaris in Africa? Probably much cheaper than the pods and only have them up in the season, take them down in off season? Regarding the coffee bar, you need hot chocolate for the kids.
You might want to check out the American's "Log Cabin" industry. Is there also a vending machines for tea? I know we Americans love our coffee. But wouldn't you British visitors like their tea?
Julie,Luke nice video regarding Birmingham event.you are lovely couple.I think coffee machine is a good idea.
As a child living on our family farm in Nebraska, my brothers and I used to take our little red wagon and ride down a hill out in the pasture. Lots of fun, better than sledding in the winter!
I love you including us on your adventure and ventures❤
Thank you for the tour. Lots to think about, don't get dinosaurs. Do a mini putt...
woody and twiggy know what they want ... get another pair 🙏
I absolutely would buy a highland cow stuffy! ❤
Hi Luke and Julie! I'm an avid follower of Mapperton Live. Your channel is just brilliant. I've heard you speak about rewilding in this and other videos. I'm an artist that focuses on reconnecting with nature. Are there any books you recommend someone read who's new to the concept and wishes to explore an in-depth understanding? I'd be ever so grateful for book recommendations. ☺🌳
Enjoyable! 🎉
Would having horse stables and a riding school be something that could benefit The Mapperton Estates? Or adding a man made lake and stocking it with fish for people to come and enjoy fishing?
Coffee bar is brilliant!
Must be so many great ideas there - spent a lot of time at trade shows at the nec when i had my shop it’s exhausting i hope you find the glamping youre looking for ❤
Disc golfing is huge in michigan
Texas too.
Disc golf is huge in the US
Nice video thank you👍
Luke and Julie, you need to internationalize your business to attract new customer bases in America, in the EU, and Japan. There are numerous individuals, organizations, philanthropic, scientific concerns, as well as folks involved in passing on rare skills to both career changers and younger people. One person I would definitely suggest you communicate with is Sir Peter Crane. Dr. Crane is the former head of Kew Gardens, Dean of the Yale University Environment School, and is now the Director of a new-ish estate-based garden and forest “rewilding” program in the area our beyond the Washington, DC suburbs in Virginia. The estate was the home of part of the Mellon Family and like Mapperton has many different buildings and a variety of sites. It is in Uppperville, Virginia, which is in the heart of the Virginia Hunt country. Sir Peter, I believe would be a great person for you to get to know, share ideas with, and consult with.
Is that Bunny Mellon’s old estate? Wonderful gardener
Hello! Ya know there's a place either here in the states or over there that has little hobbit homes that people can book and stay in. Y'all need to find someone that can build you some of them and let them out to guest. They make them with this moldable wire and this spray foam that hardens very well. Then you can either paint them or plant them out. In your case all planted up to look like a hobbit home. You can make them against a hillside, and they have kitchenettes and rest rooms.. bedroom x2 or 3
Then you can have your wildflowers all around. Oh and the Frisbee golf is huge in the states! Almost every park has a course, that would really get people out and about. There's so many different things you can do. Petting zoo would be a great idea, don't y'all have stables? Those need to be fixed up nice, add some corals, offer trail rides, riding lessons, horse boarding. Here people will take their own horses and ride trails out and camp.
You could also offer the camping to schools for field trips, there's so many things. Have you ever thought of holding battle reenactments? Those are big here, also Celtic festival, people come and set up all sorts of merchandise tents and sell crafts they make that are related to the festival.
I hope maybe some of these ideas help out.
Oh and I know you're so excited about the computer thing to take orders but for real... people like that personal interaction with others.
How about y'all be done if the first to bring the bears 😉🤣
Love y'all! Take care and God Bless ❤❤
Disc golf has gotten big here in the USA. A lot of the parks have them set up.
You do have some empty barns and such that could be rebuilt into a woodland lodge for groups of like minded people. Then these people would have perhaps separated rustic cabins to sleep in . But in the lodge all meals will be served plus lectures, demonstrations, and then tours of the different parts of your estate.
I’m with you. Sink money into fixing up all the on site bldgs. Glam them up for overnite lodging instead of tents & such.
Hi Julie, Hi Luke, have you thought of presenting an absolutely over the top American style outdoor Christmas light display in your gardens ? There are many very successful examples here in NY state. There’s always an entrance fee.
Coffee Bar sounds amazing…..👍❤
I think for glamping Yurts or some kind of large tent-like structure would be best.
The structure you are standing next to at 9:44 might be better as far as permanent structures go and might blend in better if they had better color choices, maybe if you could have white instead of black exterior walls, or if the offered a faux stone siding to give the building an older look.
You of course could build something custom to look a lot more like the old farm buildings around Mapperton, but that would also be at a much higher expense.
Try not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good on this.
There is a glamping location on the Russian River in Northern California where the site that has the best facilities for visitors has an outdoor wood fired hot tub that fits exactly two people. It is beautiful in a rather a Japanese style. I think such a facility would be attractive to your more affluent clients/campers.
I love at end of day one he is like, no I'm done you can proLOL. I just want tea and to relax. My husband is the same way when he reaches his limit and my brain won't turn off and I try and talk to him about whatever plans we have going on with the house or whatever. He always gives me a look like, just please stop..I'm done. Lol.
Make sure if you get a coffee bar vending machine that there's something for little ones as well. Perhaps chocolate milk?
No sledge. I am a defense litigator. It's dangerous, and if someone were injured, it could ruin your business.
I think it has a card/phone reader. Totally Electronic Payment System for the Coffee Bar. I saw something like that in Sweden.
Have you thought of a shuttle bus ? The older people here in Arizona love day trips on the shuttle bus. A shuttle to Mapperton. That's my idea.
Do you have food trucks in the UK that could come and offer tea, coffee and desserts/snacks? When the gardens are open in the winter.
Modern technologies is great.. but what about the old school people and only use cash!!😊 Best of luck, hopefully it'll come together for you!! 😊