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Holiday to a galaxy far, far away: The best Star Wars inspired getaways
With the hotly anticipated new film Force Awakens released this week, we take a look at some of the best Star Wars inspired places to visit around the world
By Kat Romero
PUBLISHED: 08:08, Tue, Dec 15, 2015 | UPDATED: 08:49, Tue, Dec 15, 2015
Stay in these Stars Wars inspired spots
Spain, Andalucia:
The desert landscapes surrounding Camping Los Escullos, in the rocky outcrop of Andalucia, are reminiscent of Luke Skywalker’s home town of Tatooine. The campsite is an ideal choice for those wishing to bask in the sun and with over 328 days of sunshine per year, guests will be left more than just a little ‘Lukewarm’. There’s an outdoor swimming pool to cool off in and multi-sports courts for the more active.
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Modern two-bedroom lodges start at £44.60 per night for up to five people.
They include all the must-have pleasantries needed on a ‘desert planet’, including air-conditioning, a fully-equipped kitchen, flat screen TV and outdoor terrace.
The campsite looks like Luke Skywalker's hometown Tatooine
England, Suffolk:
Feel like you’re camping under the forest moon of Endor by pitching your tent on a non-electric woodland pitch at Little Ropers Woodland Camping.
The campsite offers a truly unforgettable wild camping experience in the lush heart of the Stour Valley.
Non-electric woodland pitches start from £15 per night for up to four people.
Feel like you're camping under the moon of Endor PITCHUP.COM
https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/England/East_Anglia/Suffolk/Sudbury/little-ropers-woodland-camping
Spain, Comunidad de Madrid:
Be inspired by the Ewoks of Endor and head up into the trees at Camping-Bungalows Monte Holiday where you can stay in the AT-AT style Skyscraper pods, which stand on stilts four metres above the ground.
The pods, which are heated for year-round comfort, offer spectacular views over the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park from the spacious outdoor terraces. There is a swimming pool and restaurant on site and for those wishing to take a day trip, Madrid is less than 80 km away.
The pods start at £42.44 per night for two people excluding bedding.
The pods are heated all year round PITCHUP.COM
4. England, Cumbria:
It’s not quite the remote ice-world of Hoth, but a blanket of snow in Penrith can quickly turn The Quiet Site into a snowscape. Stay warm (no need to involve any dead tauntauns…) by snuggling up in a two-bedroom wooden pod.
Each cosy pod is carpeted throughout and comes complete with heating, lighting and electricity points. There are large family bathrooms available on site, a playground and a magnificent family pub. The pub, located in a 17th-century barn, features a well-provisioned cellar, games room (with football, pool, air hockey and table tennis), television room and upstairs soft playhouse.
Camping pods start from £40 per night for up to two adults and two children.
The snowscapes in Penrith are just beautiful PITCHUP.COM
France, Midi Pyrénées:
It’s no Kashyyyk, but we feel the Wookiees would feel right at home in this treehouse, situated between Toulouse and Bordeaux, in the heart of the Gascogne region.
A hideaway tucked behind the trees, Domaine d’Escapa’s treehouse is perched five metres above the ground and features two bedrooms (a double bed and a large triple room), a separate kitchen and spacious outdoor terrace with private Jacuzzi. Those looking for something ‘chewie’ will benefit from the on-site take away service offering a range of local delights. Fresh pastries can be ordered for breakfast the following morning.
Domanie d’Escapa treehouse starts from £165.50 per night for up to five people.
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Farmers tap into booming camping and caravanning sector to boost income
This winter, outdoor accommodation search specialist Pitchup.com has revealed its figures for farm bookings in 2015, showing 20,463 bookings at farm sites throughout the UK and Ireland over the last year – representing a massive 31% growth on 2014.
The farm site listed with the provider took a whopping £60,000 in bookings in the past 12 months alone. Given that the average UK farm earns just £27,000 in net farm income, this is a huge opportunity to grow income and make farming a more viable and attractive business.
Pitchup founder Dan Yates commented: “The British farming industry has seen a serious decline over the last couple of decades, with total farm income in 2014 26% below its 1995 peak. With farm business income per farm down 9% in 2014/15 compared to last year, financial difficulties remain a cause for concern. However farmers can invigorate their finances and their farms by diversifying into other areas, and this is easier to do than they might think.
“The way to help farms is via a diversification programme and this is where we can assist. It can be very straightforward to set up and run a campsite on a farm and the results can be game-changing, as the following figures show:
- The average farm campsite earnt £7,000 in bookings on Pitchup over the last year
- Average net farm income was £27,000 in 2013/14
- 49% of farms earned £10,000 or under in net farm income in 2013/14
- Pitchup's best selling campsite earned £200,000 of bookings in the last 12 months
Yates continues: “Following the recent pressure on the sector including the milk crisis, over the last six months, we have seen 45% more farms register on Pitchup.com compared to last year, renting land out as pitches or adding lodge, caravan or ‘glamping’ accommodation.”
At present Pitchup has 250 farmers selling outdoor holidays via its website.
“The domestic camping and caravan market is worth £2.3bn per annum and we’re encouraging farms to get on board and enjoy a slice of this income. One of our farms took 95% of its campsite bookings income last year from its listing on Pitchup. Farmers already own the land in most cases – why not put unfarmed parts of it to use?”
The facts for farmers:
- Brits holidaying at home spend 25% more nights at campsites or caravan parks than at hotels
- They spend £2.3bn each year during GB camping and caravanning trips
- They take more camping and caravanning trips in Britain than holidays to Spain and Greece combined
- Campsites have received up to £200,000 in bookings over the last year, with the average farm campsite receiving £7,000 and the most successful farm campsite receiving £60,000
- A simple call to a local council will provide information about planning permission and obtaining a licence to run a campsite on a farm. Consent is not always required and many
- applications no longer need to be considered by a council committee
- Many companies now build and deliver glamping options such as camping pods, meaning that farmers can set up with little effort and generate a year-round income from holidaymakers
