Kip Hideaways co-founder Sarah de Vere-Drummond is set to make her television debut on BBC One this month, appearing on Dragons’ Den on Friday 25 September at 8pm.
Founded in 2019 by Sarah de Vere-Drummond and Liz Simpson, Kip Hideaways champions independent UK stays – from cosy cabins and treehouses to castles and cottages – chosen for their character, soul and the owner stories behind them.
The appearance marks a landmark moment for the independent travel company, with Sarah pitching Kip Hideaways to Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Gary Neville and Steven Bartlett, and answering questions on the business, its model and future.
“Walking in, we genuinely had no idea what the response to Kip would be,” says Sarah. “It’s a business we’ve built very much from the heart, so having the chance to pitch Kip to such experienced investors was incredibly exciting and validating. These are people who have seen thousands of businesses come through those doors, so it was a brilliant opportunity to spotlight what we’ve built – and the potential for where Kip could go next. I’m not sure I’ll ever forget standing there trying to take it all in.
“The travel industry is dominated by some absolutely enormous businesses, so there was something amazing about walking in as a small, independent British brand and saying: we think there’s another way to do this.”
“Kip has always been about championing brilliant independent places and the people behind them, rather than turning travel into an endless scroll of identical options. To have the chance to put that idea in front of such an experiences panel – and now in front of millions of people – is a huge moment for us.”
Kip’s hand-picked collection now includes more than 200 under-the-radar, design-led places across the UK, many with interesting owner stories and local experiences to discover.
Unlike a conventional booking site, Kip offers an Insider Membership, giving members early access to new hideaways, savings on stays and thoughtful perks from like-minded brands, while supporting the Thousand Year Trust through a donation from every membership.
The episode airs at 8pm on Friday 25 September on BBC One.
For more information about Kip Hideaways, to become an Insider Member or explore the collection and book a stay, please visit www.kiphideaways.com
