Fallow Fields Camping was first tested at Selson Farm, near Sandwich in Kent. David was considering diversifying his top fruit farm and Lex was looking for a business idea for a career change from marketing and advertising. After an initial pop-up test period, Lex and David joined forces in 2017 to create a permanent campsite at Selson Farm. Building on this initial success they purchased Lathe Barn on Romney Marsh and then took on Wild With Nature in Norfolk.
With a mix of rural and corporate expertise, the experience of building a campsite from a bare field, managing the planning process for new and existing buildings and operating sites that range from BYO tents to beautifully appointed luxury shepherd’s huts and yurts, the Team have a wealth of experience you can benefit from.
But it’s not just about ‘building it and they will come’. You need to know how to get them to your site and when they are there, how to ensure they have an excellent customer experience. With Lex’s blue-chip marketing background and David’s understanding of the rural environment, combined with 6 years of establishing and running our own sites we have the additional skills you’ll need to ensure your venture has the best possible chance of success.
Joint owner of Fallow Fields
David grew up on his family farm in Kent and after a few years in the Army returned in 2008 to take over from his father. After looking at a number of diversification options he joined Lex Cook in 2016 to form Fallow Fields Camping. He understands the pressures and complexity of starting a camping business on a working farm and uses his experience to help other farmers.
Joint owner of Fallow Fields
With over 25 years’ experience marketing and advertising has been at the core of Lex’s career. He started working at AXA 1996 and moved to Mazda cars, followed by Reader’s Digest and then in 2007 he helped build the TV agency, DTV Group.
Digital Domain Expert
Matt has almost 20 years' experience working on digital projects for a range of businesses including brands such as Farmers Weekly, Marriott and Sage as well as start-ups and SME brands across hospitality, fintech and property.
Customer Service Domain Expert
Aly started her career in Northern Ireland at a successful start-up call centre business, leading the IT and Client Services team working with clients like Time Life and JML before moving to London to set Rosetta Stone’s EMEA call centre. Moving to Kent in 2010, she set up and ran a successful campervan hire business before using that knowledge to help create Fallow Fields Camping with Lex and David.
HR Domain Expert
Gemma has over 20 years of HR and administration experience in the health sector; completing her CIPD in 2017. Moving more recently to work in the Leisure industry, before bringing her expertise to Fallow Fields as the newest member of the team in 2022.