“Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photographs”

There’s so much of the world to explore, but adventuring close to home can make a lot of sense not only economically but also environmentally. What’s more, booking a self-catering holiday is much more energy efficient and sustainable than a hotel room - you have control over lighting, washing, heating and food wastage for a start.

So, if you love to be green AND want to make the most of our beautiful British countryside, look no further than a Staycation break. You’ll be spoiled for choice with our wonderful eco-friendly holiday homes.

Plas Cilybebyll Estate, near Pontardawe, South Wales

Lloc Llo, one of our six eco-friendly holiday homes in South Wales

The historic Plas Cilybebyll Estate near Pontardawe in South Wales has been given a new and green lease of life with the transformation of its outbuildings into environmentally-friendly self-catering holiday accommodation. Heating and hot water are supplied by renewable biomass energy, and much of the farm’s energy needs are produced onsite from solar energy. Accredited a Gold Green Tourism Award, our six sustainable cosy barns don’t however skip on luxury. The owners carefully balance their conservation interests with the interests of their guests for the perfect eco-friendly holiday in the UK. There are walks and cycle rides from the doorstep with over a hundred acres of private fields, woodland and hillside to explore and spectacular views of the Welsh countryside. The cottages are also perfectly located for touring South Wales with the Brecon Beacons, Gower Peninsula and city of Swansea all within easy reach.
Find out more: Ty Gambo (sleeps 6), Hafod Y Wennol (sleeps 4), Y Stabl (sleeps 4), Ty Cerbyd (sleeps 4), Lloc Llo (sleeps 4) and Bwythn Y Saer (sleeps 4) can be taken individually or in any combination to accommodate up to 26 guests.

The Waternook Estate, Ullswater, Cumbria

This magnificent lakeside estate comprises The Great Barn (left) and Waternook (right)

Caring for the mind and body of guests as well as the environment, Waternook and The Great Barn offer those who stay a sumptuous and eco-friendly five star experience. Situated in a stunning waterside location beside beautiful lake Ullswater, the Waternook Estate is a fusion of total luxury and green technology. Packed with eco credentials, the luxurious underfloor heating is powered by an efficient and environmentally friendly biomass boiler, and the water for its outdoor hot tub, monsoon showers and other splendid water fittings comes from the fellside behind the property. Treated by ultra-violet light, it produces fantastically pure spring water. There’s plenty to do here too; try your luck with a spot of fishing, explore the lake by foot or on bike, or wind down in the spa and wellness sanctuary and stargaze from the luxurious hot tub.
Find out more: This magnificent private estate comprises two luxury 17th century properties, Waternook (sleeps 12) and The Great Barn (sleeps 8) which can be booked individually or together for up to 20 guests.

Kilmington Barns, Kilmington, Devon

The open plan reception space at The Milk Shed (sleeps 16)

A passion for eco living and original buildings has become a reality at our luxury hideaway in Kilmington. Here, seven beautiful 18th century stone barns, renovated using recycled materials and traditional building methods, have been awarded a Gold certificate by The Green Tourism Business Scheme. A state of the art biomass boiler system delivers heating and hot water to the barns, onsite spa and restaurant, whilst electricity is supplied via a solar energy plan and the farm’s own spring provides the water supply. This off-grid idyll is situated in 100 acres of beautiful countryside and woodland where the owners promote the flourishing wildlife. Located in an AONB near the Jurassic Coastline, enjoy fabulous walking, onsite fishing, spa treatments and plenty of outdoor activities. Off-grid doesn’t mean isolated though - our eco-friendly holiday homes are within walking distance of the local pub, store and organic farm shop selling the best locally sourced food.
Find out more: The seven eco-friendly holiday homes are: Keepers Tallet (sleeps 2); The Pony Trap (sleeps 2); The Straw Loft (sleeps 4); The Creamery (sleeps 4), The Freestall (sleeps 5/6); The Milk Shed (sleeps 16) and The Linhay (sleeps 16). Barns may be taken individually or in any combination for get-togethers of up to 50 guests.

Campion and Woodbell Lodge, Wakes Colne, Essex

View of Campion Lodge & Woodbell Lodge across the two acre fishing lake

Who can argue with a holiday property that is as eco-friendly as it is stylish and comfortable? Five star isn’t a guilty pleasure at our Essex eco-lodges which put green issues at the forefront without skimping on creature comforts. Sleeping two to four guests, our 5AA-star lodges have been specially designed to be carbon neutral and use the latest eco-technology from Canada, keeping visitors snug during the winter months. Discover the finest fixtures and fittings and the ultimate in indulgence - a soothing hot tub with dramatic lakeside views. Our lodges offer dreamy escapism in the tranquil beauty of the Colne Valley, surrounded by 500 acres of private grounds with woodland and abundant wildlife. The owners have planted over 3,000 trees, created a two acre fishing lake, installed solar panels to assist in the supply of electricity and reinstated a hydraulic ram to help supply fresh water to the lake. All just an hour from London - you’d be hard pressed to find a more idyllic spot in which to unwind.
Find out more: Campion Lodge (sleeps 2) and Woodbell Lodge (sleeps 4). The eco-friendly holiday homes are next door to each other and group bookings are welcomed.

West Hollowcombe Cottages, near Dulverton, Exmoor

Jasper, Kiri and Norton Cottages are three of the delightful stone barn conversions

Looking for a truly relaxing and sustainable getaway? You won't be disappointed with our four delightful self-catering cottages near Dulverton, in the glorious surroundings of Exmoor National Park on the Devon/Somerset border. Their great eco credentials include solar energy as the primary source of water heating, a wind turbine and micro-bore electric generation via the privately owned, spring-fed streams and river. Guests here have shared access to 60 acres of private fields and woodlands including a designated Special Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which the owners sympathetically manage to protect the flora and fauna. The SSSI includes culm grassland habitats and rare plants and animals including the Heath Fritillary, one of the rarest butterflies in England. The Two Moors Way passes the gate and numerous walks are accessible from our dog-friendly cottages. They are also ideally situated to explore the North Devon coast and picturesque villages including Porlock, Lynton and Lynmouth.
Find out more: The farm offers four eco-friendly holiday homes: Smiddy Cottage (sleeps 4); Jasper Cottage (sleeps 4); Kiri Cottage (sleeps 6); and Norton Cottage (sleeps 4). The cottages can be taken individually or together for up to 18 guests.

Leaving a small footprint

Lloc Lo and Ty Gambo, two of our eco-friendly holiday homes in South Wales

We understand how important and precious our environment is and we encourage our owners and customers alike to be ‘green’. We also follow our own advice. If you'd like to be inspired by our wonderful collection of eco-friendly holiday homes with an emphasis on being green, please click here.

Not all of our holiday cottage owners can go ‘the whole hog’ but they do what they can by encouraging their guests to support the local shops, farm shops and eateries for fresh and locally sourced produce – it’s beneficial to the environment and good for the local economy. We endeavour to provide recycling information for your cottage, along with local walks, bicycle hire and cycle rides. Many of our cottages use energy saving LED lights, eco-friendly cleaning products and wood burning stoves which are considered to be energy neutral. We encourage our guests to turn lights and appliances off when not in use. Details can be found in our ‘Things to do’ section for each holiday cottage listing and/or in the information folder at your chosen holiday cottage.