Johnny Vegas stunned many of his followers when he chose to create his own glamping facility.
In 2021, the comedian began parking a collection of antique automobiles on a plot of land and inviting people to stay overnight. The Field of Dreams presently allows travellers to stay in five different adapted vehicles, including a Maltese public transport bus called Patricia after Johnny’s mother and a helicopter that served in Chile.
The inactive forms of travel are stationed at Melbourne Hall in South Derbyshire after persuading owners Lord and Lady Kerr to give them permission to operate from there.
The intriguing enterprise created ideal fodder for a reality TV series, and Channel 4’s Carry on Glamping was born, documenting the highs and lows of Johnny’s tenure at the head of the endeavour.
But what do we really know about The Field of Dreams, including what the locals say and how much it costs to stay there?
The Field of Dreams reviews
Jonny, real name Michael Pennington, has many happy customers with 13/13 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor.
‘I can not put in words how wonderful The Field Of Dreams is,’ wrote one visitor called Ma.
While Kev G said: ‘From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel very welcome.
‘The people are very friendly and the site is beautiful. I would recommend it to anyone looking for something a bit different to the normal camping experience.’
However, while the tourists may be happy, The Sun claims that some locals aren’t pleased.
A resident told the publication: ‘I think it looks like a Travellers’ camp. It’s horrible for Melbourne. I think it looks hideous and awful.
‘It’s very distracting, particularly at night. From higher up in Melbourne you can see the lights in a landscape that is purely beautiful.’
Another anonymous local complained it looked like a ‘junkyard’ and said there was now a lack of parking spaces.
Architect Amanda who has lived in the area for over a decade praised the business, but declared it isn’t somewhere she’d stay: ‘It does bring business to the area which is good but there are a lot of people about and some of them have dropped litter. On the whole, it’s not a bad thing. It just looks a bit odd.’
Others declared that they love the glamping site, and enjoy speaking to Johnny, 53, about his upcoming plans, which are said to include a submarine.
Does Johnny Vegas still have his glamping site?
Johnny is still operating the firm after three years. Although the site (formerly in Harrogate) has changed and cars have come and gone, the firm remains operational.
Guests can book their stay on the Melbourne Hall website, which is open for 2024 bookings – you can book to stay between now and October 3 – and booking is open for 2025 too showing there’s no signs of closing down. It is still proving very popular with most slots already taken.
How much does it cost to stay on Johnny Vegas’ camping site?
The Field of Dreams promises that ‘no other glamping experience like this is available in the UK!’
‘Each special vehicle is spaced out just as before, with a sense of its own individual plot, and we’re nurturing the communal feel too; with the pitstop area, communal fire and bell tent with games to share in, still in the same spot around the centre of the field,’ the website reads. But how much is it going to set you back?
Johnny has two pricing bands: peak and off-peak, which are mostly determined by school holidays. Guests must remain for at least two days on weekdays and three days on weekends.
The Mahala, a refurbished yacht, is the most affordable choice for booking, costing £330 for two nights and £525 for three nights during peak season. It is designed for one to two people and contains a bathtub, a fire pit that can be used for barbecues and a converted horse trailer restroom.
The Skoolie is the most expensive choice, but it can sleep five people. Prices begin at £370 for two nights and rise to £585 for three nights during high season. For that price, travellers may sleep on a 1970s American School Bus that once brought students to school in Minnesota. This is the only option where dogs are allowed indoors.
Other options include Oscar the Puma, the Citreon Camper, and Patricia the public transit bus. Johnny planned each space and included genuine mattresses so that no one had to sleep uncomfortable.
Johnny Vegas: Carry on Glamping series one and two are available to watch on Channel 4
Source My Celebrity Life.