The evolution of nature stays, and Crown & Canopy's new space
Sixteen years ago, "glamping" barely existed as a word. Canopy & Stars launched, and the term soon became mainstream. As the industry grew, we stayed one step ahead, moving on from glamping as we added treehouses and cabins to our collection.
A few years ago, we acquired Crown & Canopy, whose planning and design service was the kind of cutting-edge approach that we knew could take outdoor accommodation to a new level. Crown & Canopy is a crucial resource for our owners looking to develop their sites and stay competitive in a crowded market, but they're also innovators in their own right, putting their theories into practice with their latest project, Marion's Barn. This small stone building, which helps guests embrace nature through its remote location in North Yorkshire, is soon to join our collection.
A little about Crown & Canopy
In 2024, we acquired Crown & Canopy, a leading consultancy in the nature stays industry. The goal was simple: to give owners better advice and keep shaping the market with professionalism and creativity.
Crown & Canopy has done exactly that. Since launch, it's advised [NUMBER] owners setting up their own sites, covering:
This year it also obtained a planning exemption license which allows landowners to operate small, temporary, and low-impact glamping sites across England, Wales, and Scotland without obtaining full traditional planning permission. Read more on the planning exemption here
Want to know more about Crown & Canopy's services, or get help renovating a stone space of your own? Get in touch with us.
Marion's Barn: Crown & Canopy's first space
Crown & Canopy has now embarked on its first solo project, managing the project end to end, from acquisition through to renovation. It's a an old agricultural barn which, for many years, was used as a craft space. They're bringing it back to life and renovating it using sustainable building methods and equipment, such as an air source heat pump, wood fibre insulation, PV panels, natural lime plaster and lime paint, reclaimed timber and recycled materials. They've called it Marion's Barn to retain the heritage of its previous owner, Marion, who enjoyed time weaving in the barn, surrounded by nature.
This isn't a classic cottage stay. They, and us, see the opportunity of places immersed in nature, built around experiences that connect guests to nature rather than simply housing them near it. Marion's Barn sits squarely in that shift.
We’ll be sharing updates on Marion’s Barn as the project takes shape, including what we learn along the way. If you have any questions about the project, please do get in touch with your account manager at owners@canopyandstars.co.uk.