Is Airbnb Worth It in Somerset? A Realistic Look at Income, Effort and Trade-Offs

If you own a property in Somerset or are thinking about turning one into a holiday let, the big question is simple: is Airbnb actually worth it here?

The short answer is yes, it can be. But the longer, more useful answer is that it depends on how well the property is set up, how it’s managed, and how much time you realistically want to spend on it.

This article gives a clear, honest breakdown of what running an Airbnb in Somerset looks like in practice, covering income potential, workload, and where professional management tends to make the biggest difference.

Why Somerset is a strong Airbnb market

Somerset performs well as a short-term rental location because demand comes from several directions, not just one.

You see bookings driven by:

• Major events such as Glastonbury Festival
• Summer holidays around the coast and countryside
• Walking and outdoor breaks near Exmoor National Park
• City breaks and culture-led stays around Bath
• Autumn and winter “cosy break” demand rather than a total drop-off

That mix creates strong peaks but also fills in quieter months better than many purely seasonal areas.

How much can an Airbnb earn in Somerset?

There is no single number that applies to every home, but in broad terms:

• Well-presented two to four-bed homes in good locations can achieve strong year-round occupancy.
• Peak weeks around events or school holidays often command much higher nightly rates.
• Rural homes with parking, outdoor space and pet-friendly policies usually outperform expectations.

Where owners sometimes go wrong is focusing only on peak nights. In reality, annual performance matters more than individual weekend rates. Pricing, reviews and availability all affect how visible your listing is, which then feeds back into income.

The real costs of running an Airbnb in Somerset

This is where many owners underestimate the reality.

Common ongoing costs include:

• Cleaning and laundry after every stay, often more expensive in rural areas due to travel time
• Maintenance and wear and tear, which is higher than with a long-term let because of guest turnover
• Linen replacement, consumables and small repairs
• Platform fees and software tools
• Time, which is the least visible but often the most costly element

Somerset homes tend to be larger and more “lived in” than city flats. Guests spend more time in the property, which raises expectations and increases upkeep.

How much work is it, really?

This is the point that usually surprises new hosts.

Running an Airbnb is not a single weekly task. It is lots of small, time-sensitive jobs spread across every day:

• Responding to guest messages, sometimes late at night
• Handling check-in questions and directions
• Coordinating cleaners and dealing with last-minute changes
• Sorting maintenance issues when something stops working
• Keeping pricing, calendars and listings up to date

Many self-managing owners tell us they can never fully switch off. Even on holiday, they are still on call.

Some weeks are quiet. Others can take several hours. The unpredictability is what makes it feel heavy.

Is Airbnb still worth it if you self-manage?

For some owners, yes.

If you live nearby, have reliable cleaners, enjoy the operational side and are happy being available seven days a week, self-management can work.

However, most Somerset owners who come to us do so because:

• They underestimated the time commitment
• Cleaning or maintenance became unreliable
• Reviews slipped due to small issues compounding
• They wanted their evenings, weekends and holidays back

This is often the point where Airbnb stops feeling “worth it” without support.

Where professional management changes the equation

Airbnb tends to become more worthwhile when the day-to-day work is removed and performance improves.

A good management company can:

• Handle all guest communication 24/7
• Coordinate housekeeping, inspections and maintenance
• Optimise listings and pricing around Somerset’s demand patterns
• Protect reviews through consistency and fast issue resolution
• Let owners choose how involved they want to be, from hands-off to closely informed

Many owners find that higher occupancy, better reviews and stronger pricing offset the management fee, leaving them with similar or better net income and far less stress.

So, is Airbnb worth it in Somerset?

In most cases:

• Yes, if the property is well suited to short-term lets
• Yes, if pricing and presentation are done properly
• Yes, if you are realistic about the work involved

But it is rarely worth it if the operation is under-resourced or managed reactively.

For owners who want a reliable income without the constant mental load, professional Airbnb management often makes the difference between a demanding side project and a genuinely worthwhile investment.

Final thought

Somerset is one of the UK’s stronger holiday let markets, but success is not automatic. Airbnb works best when it is treated as a business, with the right systems, local knowledge and support behind it.

If you want an honest view of whether your Somerset property would work as an Airbnb, or what it could realistically earn with professional management, we are happy to talk it through.

Want to explore Airbnb management in Somerset? Get in touch.

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