BEST ECO-CONSCIOUS STAYS IN THE UK
The Best Eco-Conscious & Ethical Retreats Around the UK
When travel shut down during COVID, the world witnessed how quickly our natural world bounces back when not disrupted by the constant torrent of tourism traffic. Fish returned to previously near-empty streams, heavy smog gave way to clear skies over cities and wild animals felt emboldened to roam the streets. Since then, many of us feel newly inspired to travel in a way that will help, not harm, the natural environment (King Charles would approve). The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice luxury to travel responsibly. These upscale UK resorts are committed to eco-conscious operations. Better still, they can be reached without the use of a carbon-emitting plane trip.
The Green House Hotel (Bournemouth) - The self-proclaimed “greenest hotel in the UK” lives up to its name, going far beyond simply asking guests to reuse towels. The rooms are outfitted with locally-sourced furniture, including its 100% wool rugs, sumptuously comfortable bespoke beds and UK-made wood furniture from trees felled by storms or tree surgeons. The hotel’s award-winning restaurant, aptly named Arbor, serves dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients including protein from farmers with high animal welfare standards. While its eco-conscious ethos extends to almost every aspect of the hotel, all guests need to do is relax and enjoy the surrounding natural landscapes, free from the guilt of leaving behind a large, destructive footprint.
The Pig at Bridge Place (Kent) - Sophisticated restraint and secondhand charm aren’t usually synonymous with an animal known for its rapacious appetite. Yet The Pig’s collection of sustainably-minded hotels across the UK are a great example of eco-minded hospitality done right. We especially love The Pig at Bridge Place, located in a 17th century manor house that once played host to classic rockers like Led Zeppelin and The Kinks. Like its sister properties, The Pig at Bridge Place employs a “garden to plate” ethos in its kitchens. Any food not sourced from the on-site garden comes from farmers and purveyors located within a 25 mile radius of the hotel. Its cosy common areas are adorned with antiques and upcycled furniture and in each bedroom guests will find a rather unique souvenir - a packet of strawberry seed to take home and plant in their own backyard.
Cary Arms & Spa (Devon) - As guests at this historic, seaside inn enjoy picturesque views of Babbacombe Bay, they can rest easy knowing the hotel is committed to protecting those very waters. In addition to working toward eliminating single-use plastics, which pose a threat to marine life around the world, Cary Arms & Spa has partnered with Sea Change Wine, supported by Sir David Attenborough himself. For every case the inn purchases of Sea Change’s sustainably-farmed wines, £3 are set aside to support a range of charities committed to reducing plastic waste from ocean environments. Other initiatives include the use of an electric moped, affectionately named “Buzz,” to run local errands in place of carbon-emitting cars, and re-using the same 30 Christmas trees each year, rather than cutting down new ones for every holiday season.
Floathouse (Cornwall) - Experience the meditative calm of sitting on a sun-dappled deck whilst surveying the flowing waters of the Penryn River, upon which this unique lodge sits. Equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows, the energy-efficient Floathouse offers idyllic views of the river’s natural ecosystem. Guests can choose to let the day drift away as they observe the life around them, or get up close with the river by paddleboarding, surfing or sailing its waters. Floathouse thoughtfully incorporates rain water harvesting, biomass heating, and electricity from all renewable sources in order to ensure as minimal a footprint as possible on the beautiful site that inspired its design.
Saorsa 1875 (Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland) - While most famous for being among the first all-vegan hotels in the world, this time of year, guests flock to Saorsa 1875 to behold the colorful array of changing leaves taking over its surrounding natural woodlands. Whatever inspires the trip to this luxury retreat in northern Scotland, guests rarely miss the more meat-centric menus back home after tasting the plant-based, and often locally-foraged fare on their five-course dinner menus, which change daily based on the best local produce.
Jesmond Dene House (Newport) - As an independently owned boutique hotel, Jesmond Dene House is able to constantly listen to its guests and evolve accordingly, and one thing has become clear, guests want a more sustainable form of hospitality. To answer the call, the luxury retreat designates a “Green Team” to train new staff members in its waste management, recycling and energy efficient operations. In addition, guests are encouraged to explore nearby Newcastle and other surrounding sites via public transport - with a train less than 10 minutes from the hotel on foot - or via bicycles, which can be stored on-site when not in use.
The Langdale Estate (Langdale Valley) - This 35-acre estate set in the heart of the English Lake District believes strongly in protecting the environment, both locally and globally. Indeed, it’s hard not to be inspired when almost every scenic natural landscape is enjoyed twice - from above and as reflected on the lakes’ surface. Each year The Langdale crunches the numbers of its carbon footprint in an annual report, in order to form a baseline from which to measure the impacts of improvements to their sustainable operations. They also extend that environmental concern beyond their immediate surroundings to the world’s rainforests, ensuring palm-free beauty products across the property to help prevent further deforestation globally.
Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa (The Cotswolds) - Perhaps the only thing better than blissing out at this bucolic country estate is knowing that, behind the scenes, the management team is working to ensure operations are in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, part of Whatley Manor’s partnership with NOW force for good alliance. As guests dine on Michelin-starred menus and indulge in luxe spa treatments, the hotel is working to preserve its environment to be enjoyed for generations to come through wildlife conservation, reducing food waste and composting, eliminating plastics and more.
