The most eco friendly holiday you can take is within your own country as that means a lower carbon footprint, and an even lower one if you travel to your destination by train or electric car. Of course you can fly abroad and offset your carbon footprint by donating to a tree planting scheme or booking with a sustainable travel agency but we’ll focus on the best eco friendly hotels in the UK, or staycations.
Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning I might make a small amount of commission, at no extra cost to you, if you book a stay somewhere.
What is a staycation? A staycation is a very annoying made up word combining both ‘stay’ and ‘vacation’ and refers to staying within your own country (or at your own home) for a holiday rather than heading abroad.
Although holidaying at home is the first step towards an eco friendly UK holiday, why not go a step further and stay at a hotel or other type of accommodation that also practices sustainable tourism? Below you’ll find a list of some of the best eco friendly hotels in the UK that I could find.
If you use a booking website like booking.com, just check out the accommodation providers green credentials – which they normally will mention quite prominently in any description of their accommodation.
The Best Eco Friendly Hotels UK
The Sanctuary Cornwall – Golant (Fowey)
It would be difficult to start this article with a more sustainable place to stay than The Sanctuary Cornwall. They have the most comprehensive green policy I think I’ve ever seen on any company website. Everything that happens at The Sanctuary Cornwall is based around their green policy, from building the place, their cleaning materials, toiletries and being off-grid. If you want to be inspired to live a more green / sustainable lifestyle, I’d probably go here for a holiday if I were you!
Sustainable practises include (but are not limited to):
- Wooden building, insulated with wool waste
- Solar for electric and heating (backed up by a log gasification burner using their own wood)
- Water supplied by borehole
- 5 Watt lights and motion sensors / timers
- Doors and windows are triple glazed and made of wood and aluminium so they can be recycled
- Kitchen units made of wood so they can be repaired
- Bought glasses etc from charity shops
- Trialling shampoo bars
- Rugs and blankets made from recycled plastic bottles
- Cleaning products are Ecover or handmade
- Locally sourced food wherever possible
Honestly, I could make such a long list of everything they do. A very impressive green policy indeed. Is this the most eco friendly holiday accommodation in the UK? Very possibly! If it isn’t, it’s surely in the Top 10!
The Green House – Bournemouth
The Green House in Bournemouth is one of the most environmentally responsible hotels I’ve found so far. They consider the impact of every single thing they do including every item that comes in and out of the property, including all furnishings.
Sustainable practises include:
- Using locally sourced produce where possible
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle as much as possible
- Produce electricity onsite using a combined power and heat unit
- Use low flow systems and taps with sensors to save water
- Low energy lighting and sensors so they only switch on when someone is in the room
- Food waste is composted
- Careful to only use organisations with high welfare standards
- They even have 2 beehives on the roof!
The Scarlet Hotel – Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
To start with Cornwall is beautiful and you won’t regret going on holiday here and exploring the area. The Scarlet is also beautiful with some amazing sea views. A luxury hotel which offers spa and yoga packages as well as being green, what more could you ask for?
Sustainable Practices include:
- Responsibly sourced products and services
- Aiming to reduce the amount of waste to landfill
- Aim to reduce carbon footprint year on year by monitoring energy usage
- Guest Gifting Scheme – guests can donate to Surfers Against Sewage or CoaST: One Planet Tourism Network
Bodhi House – Bath
The historic city of bath is within walking distance of Bodhi House which has great views of the city from their beautiful garden.
Sustainable Practices include:
- Solar panels provide some of the heating, electricity and hot water
- Breakfast is locally sourced and organic as much as possible
- Rainwater is harvested
- No harsh chemicals used in cleaning products
Over The Rainbow Country Retreat – Cardigan Bay, Wales
A lot of places seem to refer to themselves as retreats and sometimes that claim can be a bit dubious, but Over The Rainbow seems to tick the box quite well. You can stay in a secluded Georgian mansion located within woodland and totally relax. You’re only 3 miles from the stunning West Coast of Wales as well.
Sustainable Practices include:
- Renewable Sources of heating, energy and hot water
- Locally sourced produce (much of it from their own garden and polytunnels)
- Green Tourism Association Gold Standard
- Vegetarian and Vegan Food only
Please note that they’re only open for bookings between late February and mid November.
Danby Cottages, Forest of Dean
This is another great place to stay where the owners have really thought about their impact on the environment. They also have an amazing garden where you could even spot wild boar as well as plenty of birdlife.
Sustainable Practices include (but are not limited to):
- Eco-friendly washing and cleaning products and avoid harsh chemicals
- Organic cotton sheets
- Solar panels for hot water
- Recycling encouraged
- Reusable shopping bags provided for guests
- Local suppliers used and promoted
- Encourage the use of public transport and local tours which don’t require a car
- Use local people for all building work
- Rainwater butts for the garden
- Green Tourism Business Scheme Gold rating
Eco Friendly Hotels – what to look for
When researching places to stay, if the hotels own website has a page about their sustainability that’s a good start. If they don’t shout it from the rooftops then it’s unlikely to be a very sustainable place to stay.
Book Accommodation
on booking.com
Make sure you check out this list of Eco-Friendly Travel Essentials, perfect for any short or long haul holiday. If you don’t fancy staying in a hotel, check out how to have an eco-friendly camping trip.
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