Our approach to the Environment & Sustainability
We are committed to preserving and enhancing the exceptional Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in which we are privileged to live and welcome our guests. We are always looking at ways to improve our environmental impact and working towards being more sustainable. Here are some of the ways in which we try to meet our commitment at the current time.
Log Burners
All the cottages are fitted with log burners to provide extra heat. We provide free logs, using well seasoned wood from fallen trees on our farm. There is nothing better than relaxing in front of a fire!
Natural Water
Our water is from our own borehole on the farm and is free of chemicals. It is tested by the local authority to ensure it meets required standards. It tastes amazing!
Eco Friendly products
A recent improvement of ours is looking at ways to further reduce our environmental impact. The Covid-19 pandemic has made us increasingly aware of how important it is to support local and British made products. We are pleased to now be using cleaning products made in the UK. This includes Bio-D® washing up liquid, that is biodegradable, packaged in 100% UK recycled material, Vegan friendly and made from natural derived ingredients. We are also in discussions with a local ethical tea and coffee producer in order to add more local products to our welcome package!
Solar Power
We have solar panels on the roofs of our swimming pool and one of the barns to help reduce our use of mains electricity. We aim to increase our solar energy production capabilities over the next few years. Reducing our carbon footprint still further.
Energy Saving
All of our cottages have been refitted with a double layer of high quality insulation to reduce heat loss and so reduce our electricity usage. In addition the cottages are all fitted with low voltage lighting, thermostatically controlled radiators and have wood burning stoves to provide supplementary heat. The majority of our outside lights are solar powered where possible.
Home grown/produced food
We have numerous animals on the farm that produce food for our guests and the local community. Chicken and duck eggs make for the best breakfasts and cakes! We pride ourselves on making our guests feel welcomed with delicious homemade scones, local jam and clotted cream. We are also able to supply home reared lamb and pork products such as bacon and sausages, on request from guests and subject to seasonal availability.
Zero to Landfill
We have chosen to work with Devon Contract Waste who have a zero to landfill policy. Guests are asked to separate their waste into recyclable material (plastic, paper, cardboard, aluminium etc) , glass and general waste using the clearly marked bins.
Conservation
We actively encourage a wide range of wildlife by providing varied undisturbed habitats on the farm with a multitude of wild flowers, berry & seed bearing plants and trees. A natural, spring fed, stream runs through our valley and feeds our small lake that is home to various native fish and ducks. 2020 will be the first year we are working with a local bee keeper to expand the number of his hives. He has set up eight hives at the top of our valley field. We look forward to being able to supply honey to our guests in the future. We collaborate with the Bat Trust to support, with their work to conserve the Horseshoe Bat population. Our orchard is key to this and we have embarked on a renovation programme to ensure that our apple and pear trees continue to flourish. In January 2020 The Bat Trust gave us 250 hedgerow trees to create a new hedge line that will provide additional shelter for bats, other wildlife and our own animals.