Unusual accommodation in Dorset, England
How this vacation makes a difference
Environment
We are committed to minimize our impact and the impact from our business on the environment. In the main house we have moved from oil fired central heating to have a wood pellet boiler.
Tilleys Hut has been sympathetically restored using much of the original materials and it now has a new lease of life. It is fitted with a small solar panel connected to a battery, which in turn supplies electricity for the Hut.
To minimize the amount of food miles we try to provide as much locally produced and locally grown food as possible. The jams are homemade, as are the bread rolls which are made from organic flour from the local mill. The charcoal that is used on the charcoal burner in Tilley’s Hut is made in Dorset and bought locally. The soap provided for guests in the shower room is organic and again locally made.
All of our waste is recycled, such as plastic bottles, cans, glass, cardboard and paper and we make our own compost from any food waste. In an effort to reduce waste we do not support the provision of individually wrapped food and drinks such as teabags, coffee, jams and milk. All of this is provided in jars and fresh milk is provided in a bottle.
Community
We have lived in Melbury Abbas for 20 years and enjoy living in this rural community. Adam has a local business, selling and restoring antique furniture and Yvonne works as a nurse in the local hospital as well as working for Artsreach, a charitable arts organisation that specializes in touring performing arts around rural venues, such as village halls in Dorset, so their working lives are deeply embedded in the local community. Both Adam and Yvonne are very interested in local crafts and can guide guests to local crafts people and craft galleries. Yvonne is a bell ringer in the local village church.
We feel it is important to support local businesses and so buy many food products from local suppliers, such as the bread making flour from Cann Mill, vegetables and other products from the local farm shop, the organic liquid soap from Enchanted Plants of Shaftesbury and the locally made charcoal from the nearby garden nursery.
Our guests will receive a personal and warm welcome, yet their privacy is respected at all times. We recommend local restaurants that are renowned for their excellent menus, created from locally sourced products. Should our guests wish to visit local amenities and attractions then we have a depth of knowledge of the area.
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