Fact Check: Why Do People Choose Woodfarm?

Over the last few months, I’ve been asking guests a simple question when they arrive:

“What made you choose Woodfarm?”

Nothing formal, no clipboard, no survey, just a chat as they arrive and settle in. It’s been fascinating to hear what people say, and I thought I’d share it here.

There are two types of answers because there are two types of guests: those visiting us for the first time, and those coming back again. And the reasons are really interesting.

Woodfarm first-time guests

For first-timers, it’s all about what they hope to find. Words like “peaceful”, “tranquil”, and “rural” come up again and again. People are looking for a proper escape from everyday life. Somewhere they can slow down and just enjoy the countryside.

Another big factor? We’re dog-friendly. That’s no surprise – most of our guests have dogs – but it’s still nice to know it’s such a key reason people find us. Reputation and reviews also feature a lot. Many have read about us, seen the feedback from others, or been recommended by a friend. That trust clearly makes a difference when they’re choosing where to spend their precious time away.

Repeat Guests

Then there are the people who come back – and there are a lot of them. In fact, 34% of our business is from repeat guests. That’s something we’re really proud of, and the reasons they give are what make all the hard work worth it.

They talk about the hot tubs (always a winner), the secure gardens (so they can relax knowing their dogs are safe), and the dog walking meadow, which seems to have become a firm favourite. They mention the warm welcome, how their dogs feel instantly at home, and how the place just has that “we’re back” feeling for them.

A big one that keeps coming up is how we’ve managed to combine proper creature comforts with being genuinely dog-friendly. People love that they can enjoy a really comfortable, high-quality break without feeling like they have to compromise because they’ve brought their dog. That balance really seems to hit the mark.

They also talk about the surroundings – the peace, the quiet, the space – and the fact that we’re not miles away from everything. “Only two hours from home” is something I’ve heard more than once.

Some mention the variety of properties we offer, so they can try different Barns and Barges, while others have their firm favourite and come back to the same one every time – Woodfarm House gets a lot of love!

Put all of that together – the hot tubs, the secure gardens, the meadow, the welcome, the surroundings, the creature comforts, and that home-from-home feeling for their dogs – and you’ve got the reasons why so many people come back year after year.

What This Tells Us

Hearing these reasons first-hand is brilliant because it’s real, honest feedback. It shows that what we set out to do – create a place where people (and their dogs) can relax, feel at home, and want to return to – is exactly what’s happening.

So, if you’re reading this and wondering if Woodfarm is for you, maybe this gives you an idea. Peace, countryside, dog-friendly, trusted by others – and for many, worth coming back to again and again.