The past few years have seen many more farms diversify from their traditional roles. With pressures increasing on incomes, farmers are relying more than ever on sources outside conventional agriculture to boost their finances.
According to Defra, in 2024/2025, 72% of farm businesses in England had some diversified activity. Tourist accommodation and/or catering were among the most popular, bringing in an average yearly income of £8,700.
Whether you are considering setting up a campsite on your land, renting out some buildings, investing in renewable energy or branching out in some other way, then it’s vital to get the right advice from the start.
H&H Insurance Brokers support many local farms from the beginning of their diversification journey, with business ventures including glamping pods, holiday cottages and farm shops.
Diversification should always be accompanied by a thorough review of a farm’s insurance and risk management arrangements. Whenever a farming business is considering diversification, one of the first steps is to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the new risks and liabilities that the venture may introduce.
We typically work with clients to develop a pre-diversification checklist, identifying any changes to their risk profile and highlighting the insurance considerations they need to address before they proceed.
For example, converting an agricultural building into a holiday cottage creates a very different exposure to risk, requiring specialist cover that reflects the nature of the new operation.
Our role is to provide ongoing guidance as businesses grow and diversify, helping them manage risk effectively at every stage of their journey.
Contact Amanda on 01768 808010 or email [email protected]
Carlisle-based H&H Insurance Brokers works with farms and businesses across Cumbria and has an office in Kirkby Stephen.