Family self catering cottages, Peak District
How this vacation makes a difference
Environment
Aims and ambitions
- To establish a home and business where we can put into practice some of our ideas for living and working with a minimal negative impact on our surroundings and maximum use of what our local region has to offer
- We want our guests to enjoy a fantastic vacation here with us in the Peak District National Park
- To look after our environment and support the local economy
- To develop our site and business whilst staying true to our ideals, providing our visitors with a great experience
- Achieve a carbon neutral status – we are not sure yet how long this will take, but we are committed to it!
Achievements
- Silver Award for East Midlands Tourism Enjoy England Excellence Awards 2010.
- Gold Award for the Green Business Tourist Scheme in August 2010. The leading sustainable tourism certification scheme in the UK, with over 1400 members, businesses opting to join are assessed against a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas, like energy and water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity and more.
- Peak District Environmental Quality Mark accreditation. This award recognises businesses who have adopted good environmental practices and contribute to the support and conservation of the Peak District National Park.
- Green Tourism GoldStar award winner 2010/11
What we do
- Recycle glass, paper, tins, cardboard, milk/fruit juice cartons and plastic.
- Wherever possible, we use email and telephone, rather than paper.
- Recycle our used printer cartridges
- We provide our guests with a separate container in which to place all kitchen waste. The contents are ‘fed’ to our on-site green cone food waste digesters.
- Supply our guests with recycled toilet paper, kitchen paper, tissues & aluminium foil for use during their stay
- We've installed a ground source heat pump, which converts stored solar energy in the ground to provide central heating and hot water and only uses a small amount of electricity to power the pump. No need for gas or oil!
- We've insulated the solid stone walls of our cottages with rigid insulation boards behind plasterboard lining and added extra insulation in the loft spaces.
- Installed low energy lighting throughout and, wherever possible, fitted minimum ‘A’ rated appliances to reduce energy consumption.
- We make as much use as possible of the sun and wind to dry our laundry.
- We buy our electricity from Ecotricity – although not the cheapest, we like the fact that they are investing heavily in renewable energy sources.
- All toilets in all our cottages are dual-flush.
- All cottages are stocked with non-bleach cleaning products that do not adversely affect the functioning of our septic tanks. Our cleaning staff do not use bleach and make maximum use of e-clothes!
- We use short-water cycles at 30 degrees using non-phosphate detergent.
- Buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste and supply our guests with complimentary toiletries in refillable plastic bottles for use during their stay.
- We provide guests with information on cycle hire, local transport, and a place where they can lock bicycles up safely.
- We have lots of information on “walks from the door” to give guests the choice of a car free break or vacation.
- We offer a discount for those guests who choose to arrive by public transport or by bike, and can arrange collection from nearby train and bus stations.
- We refund our guests the cost of local bus journeys during their stay, and we drive a hybrid Toyota Prius!
Community
- Wherever possible, we use local suppliers. Our recent renovations were undertaken by local builders, architects and craftsmen
- We offer local suppliers the opportunity to match prices we have received elsewhere.
- We also offer guests a ‘breakfast box’ with locally produced goods and have a freezer stocked with locally produced ready-made meals, deserts and ice cream for our guests to enjoy.
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