From using local food, staff and services to low-energy light bulbs and
biodiversity projects in the grounds, many hotels and other styles of
accommodation have introduced eco-friendly measures to enhance your stay.
Strattons, Norfolk
This family-run Palladian mansion near the pretty market town of Swaffham,
just south of the wild Breckland landscapes, ticks all the right green
boxes. Formerly home to Howard Carter, the archaeologist who famously
discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb, it is now a boutique hotel with a light
ecological footprint.
An antique glass cabinet in reception offers local farmers’ produce and each
of the ten themed rooms is stamped with its own sumptuous character; some
have carved four-poster beds, others Renaissance art print wallpaper.
The restaurant’s food hails from the local counties, waste is recycled and
guests who arrive by public transport receive a 10 per cent discount. It is
not thought that regular visitors Stephen Fry and Mick Jagger qualify.
01760 723845, www.strattons-hotel.co.uk;
doubles from £150, B&B
Bloomfield House, Bath
Bloomfield House, home to Bath's first “eco-hotel”, has Grade II listed
protected status so you won’t find any wind turbines and a grass-turf roof
on this classic Georgian building.
The owner, Robert Barnard-Weston, is passionate, however, about green living:
he runs his 4x4 car on filtered vegetable oil and offers 10 per cent
discount to guests arriving in similarly fuelled vehicles, by public
transport or bicycle. There’s a strict recycling policy and reclaimed timber
and old snooker table slate feature in the newly refurbished kitchen and
dining room.
The full English breakfast uses fair-trade and organic produce from local
suppliers, including bacon from Bath's farmers' market and honey from a
local beekeeper just “two hills away”.
Rooms from £70 B&B (01225 420105; ecobloomfield.com).
Lower Coombe Royal, Devon
