Website video
Holiday Let Video Tour Guide for Glamping Owners
A plain guide to which videos are worth making for your glamping site or holiday let, and where they belong.
You’ve been told you need video, and you’re not sure where to start. A shepherd’s hut, a few pods or a holiday cottage can all look good on film without a crew. Start with one 60 to 90 second phone walkthrough of each unit, put it on that unit’s page, and add short reels once that’s working. Everything else is optional.
The first holiday let video tour to make
Make a simple walkthrough of each unit. It answers the question guests have before they book, which is what the place is really like inside, and it needs nothing more than a steady phone.
Most of what ranks for holiday let video tour searches is either a guest vlog or a company selling 360 tours. Neither tells you what’s sensible for a small site with a handful of units. For most owners, the order of value runs from a walkthrough, to short reels, to drone and 360 extras.
Holiday let video types compared
Each type does a different job, and they don’t all deserve your time.
| Video type | Effort | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Phone walkthrough | Low | Unit pages and the booking page |
| Short reels | Low to medium | Social media and the homepage |
| Drone clip | Medium, plus flying rules | Showing the setting and the land |
| 360 virtual tour | Higher, often a specialist | Larger properties with complex layouts |
| Longer promo video | Higher | Homepage or an “about us” page |
A 360 tour is useful when guests struggle to picture how rooms connect, for example a big cottage that sleeps ten. For a single hut with a hot tub, it’s usually more than you need.
What to film in a glamping unit
Film the things guests ask about in enquiries. Those are the same things that put people off when they can’t see them.
- The approach, from parking to the door
- The bed and the sleeping space
- The kitchen or cooking area
- The bathroom and shower
- The hot tub, fire pit or outdoor seating
- The view from inside and out
Filming a holiday let video on your phone
A modern phone is good enough. Shoot in landscape for the walkthrough, tidy the space first, and use daylight rather than lamps.
Clean the lens, turn the phone sideways and move steadily. A cheap gimbal or even a firm two-handed grip helps with shake. For short reels, shoot upright and keep to one idea per clip, such as the hot tub at dusk or the kettle going on in the morning. Add captions, because many people watch with the sound off.
Where to put video on your website
Put the walkthrough on each unit’s page, near the photos and above the availability calendar. Put a short reel or highlights clip on the homepage, and keep any video on your booking page small so it doesn’t distract from the form.
Guests often find a place on a listing site, then search for the owner’s own site afterwards. Hoping for a better deal, or knowing the owner keeps more of the money. A video that’s only on a listing doesn’t help you there. Having it on your own pages gives those guests a reason to stay and book direct. A site built for holiday lets, such as our holiday let website design, can place video where it supports the booking rather than just sitting on the page.
Keeping your pages fast with video
Don’t upload video files straight to your website. Host them on YouTube or Vimeo and embed them, which keeps pages quick on a phone. That matters because guests often browse on mobile, and a slow page loses them before the video plays.
When a drone or 360 tour is worth it
Only if they answer a real question. A drone clip is good for showing a meadow, a coast or how far apart your pods sit. A 360 tour suits bigger layouts. If your walkthrough already makes the place clear, spend the time on reels and good photos instead.
If you use a drone, check the Civil Aviation Authority rules before you fly, and hire a licensed operator if you’re not sure.
FAQs
Do I need a 360 virtual tour for my holiday let?
No. A well-filmed walkthrough on your phone does most of the job for a small glamping site or holiday let. A 360 tour can help with larger properties where the layout is hard to picture, but it costs more and needs a specialist or a dedicated camera, so start with the walkthrough.
How long should a holiday let video tour be?
Between one and two minutes suits a main walkthrough. That is long enough to show every space and short enough that people finish it. Social reels work better at 15 to 30 seconds. If a guest wants more detail, link to your photos and the unit page rather than stretching the video.
Can I use a drone at my glamping site?
Often yes, but you are responsible for flying legally. In the UK, drone rules come from the Civil Aviation Authority, and you should avoid flying over people or neighbours without checking. If you are unsure, hire a licensed operator rather than risk it. Drone clips are a nice extra, not a must.
Should I put video on my website or just on YouTube?
Both. Upload to YouTube or Vimeo, then embed the video on your own site so guests watch it next to your dates and prices. That keeps visitors on your site, close to the booking button, instead of sending them off to YouTube where other videos pull their attention.
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