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We have been awarded the Silver Green Tourism Business Scheme Award. The nature of the houseboat accommodation offers the visitor the unique opportunity to co-exist with nature. The visual impact of the houseboats and the lake are an additional feature to the surrounding area.
The boats operate on electricity from solar power, have marine toilets (water efficient), instant hotwater units and a woodburning heat system supplied from site. We make sure that the guests are aware of the solar power system and as such that there is a limited supply depending on the daylight hours. Water on the boat has to pumped off the boat via electric pumps so we ask visitors to keep showers short and not to run taps unnecessarily. We have onsite composting and we have recycling bins for cans, plastics, bottles, glass, newspapers, paper, cardboard. We use Ecover products and leave them for the guests to use.
We are encouraging new wildlife such as hunting birds, wetland birds, hare, deer, barn owl, rabbits and voles by planting 13,000 trees, creating a 4 acre lake and wetland, not interfering with the wildlife balance. The lake was developed particularly with conservation areas in mind. Specific areas have islands and marsh bog areas that are not accessible to walkers. We instruct visitors not walk in certain areas and to respect the birdlife especially when there are chicks present. We manage our hedgerows to encourage wildlife. Hedge trimming to a minimum in order to allow a natural habitat for animals and birds.
We employ local staff and local agricultural contractors for work such as hedge trimming, topping rushes, land management. We have also employed a local cleaning company. We also encourage guests to shop in the local farmers market.
Blagdon evolved from nothing but a couple of Devon fields into a home and business for the O'Neill family. Dermot and Caro first bought the 35 acres which were being grazed by cattle in 2002. They planted 13,000 young trees of mixed local varieties and dug a 5 acre lake. Blagdon is at the end of the original Bude Canal at Blagdon Moor Wharf and so barges seemed to be the most appropriate form of craft to have on the lake. Encouraged by delighted visitors the first boat was joined by two others. We are proud to offer visitors the opportunity to experience the real countryside.
We invite every traveler who books a vacation via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the vacations they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same vacation can have different views!
