Wye Valley luxury lodges, sleeps 2, England

Planet

Our aspiration is to be an exemplar for eco-tourism, founded on a low carbon footprint in aesthetically beautiful contemporary accommodations, providing year-round employment to local people and service providers.

Local timbers from Welsh forests - Our luxe-lodges were designed with advice from Wood Knowledge Wales and are a showpiece for the strength and aesthetic appeal of Douglas Fir for both exterior cladding and interior floors. Wood was sourced locally from sustainably managed woodlands.

Energy efficiency - Our luxe-lodges are incredibly energy efficient, they are very well insulated with the added merit of solar panels for electricity supply and an air source heat pump for warm water and heating.

Responsible land management - With advice from a local ecologist the meadow and woodland have benefited from extensive planting to enrich the original landscape of mature Corsican pines and coppiced hazel to create a wildlife habitat for mammals, bats, birds, and insects. Indigenous snowdrops, primroses, and bluebells have been planted to bring additional colour and energy to the woodland walks in late winter and spring.

People

Optimisation of community resources - To bring our dream to reality, we brought together an innovative group of local architects, craftspeople and specialist consultants, all of whom shared a common ambition to create a unique, cutting edge design with modernist aesthetics and excellent energy performance. Following this our project positively promotes and utilises the services of local suppliers found mainly in and around Hay-on-Wye.

Sustainable lifestyle -
As with many others, this is a work in progress that we aim to strengthen in the months and years ahead and commencing with the following:

Bins provided for guests to compost their raw vegetable waste, which we collect and use to feed the plants and trees.

Eco-friendly and ethical products provided for shower room, cleaning and washing.

Three fast-charging points have been commissioned for guests to recharge electric cars.

Hot tubs are heated using the waste energy from the filter motor in a system based on one motor only rather than the conventional two motor tubs.

Organic fertilisers only used on the land. Fruit from trees is available to guests when in season. Local suppliers are well documented in our Information handbooks for guests.

Electricity is from a green supplier.