The Secret Garden Glamping has announced the opening of its first overseas site, with a new Irish location launching in February 2026.
Founder Derry Green first brought the business into the spotlight with an appearance on Dragons’ Den in early 2024, where he showcased a glamping operation already running at full occupancy and supported by a two-year waiting list.
During the episode, all five Dragons made offers, with Green choosing to accept a £100,000 investment from Deborah Meaden.
Since then, the company has continued to expand across the UK, with sites now established in Lancashire, Cornwall and Devon. In total, the business operates 22 units across five locations.
The move into Ireland represents a key milestone, marking the brand’s first expansion beyond the UK. The new site initially opened with three units, with additional development planned for the future.
Green said: “The Den was a turning point for us. It wasn’t just about the investment, it helped bring wider attention to what we had built. Expanding into Ireland is the next step for the business.”
The company has stated that each unit at the Irish site is designed to provide a private and self-contained experience, featuring outdoor spaces, hot tubs, external screens and fully fitted interiors.
Since securing investment on the show, the business has gained further recognition within the industry. It was awarded “UK Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year” at the Visit England Awards, while Derry Green was named among The Times’ Top 50 Entrepreneurs. Site manager Andy Reade is also part of the team and was recently honoured with the “Unsung Hero” award at the Lancashire Tourism Awards.
“The Den was a turning point for us,” says Derry Green, Founder of The Secret Garden Glamping. “It wasn’t just about the investment; it was about showing that a simple idea built with passion could become a leading international brand. Taking that vision to Ireland is the start of a whole new frontier.”
