“Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photographs”

Staycations make a lot of sense, not only economically but also environmentally. And, if you also love to be green while making the most of our beautiful British countryside, look no further than our wonderful eco-friendly holiday homes.

Designed, built and managed using clever eco-sensitive practices, our eco stays minimise their environmental impact as a priority. Meaning you can relax and enjoy your holiday knowing you are treading lightly.

Fir Hill Glamping Yurts, Newquay, Cornwall

A passion for eco living and the restoration of an historic estate has become a reality at our Glamping hideaway in Cornwall. Here, our ten beautiful and spacious Mongolian-style Yurts provide an unforgettable eco stay away from the pressures of 21st century living. A state of the art biomass boiler system delivers heating and hot water to the communal facilities, whilst electricity is supplied via 40 solar thermal panels, and a borehole and natural spring provide the estate’s water supply. This off-grid idyll is situated in 62 acres of beautiful private countryside and woodland and the owners have also planted over 200 fruit trees to restore the abandoned orchards. Overlooking Porth Reservoir and just three miles from the lively surf town of Newquay, enjoy fabulous walking, coarse fishing, bird watching and plenty of outdoor activities.
Our eco stays: Our ten eco-friendly glamping Yurts comprise nine Yurts each sleeping six guests and one Yurt sleeping two. Five of our Yurts are also pooch-friendly.

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.
Our eco stays: This magnificent private estate comprises two luxury 17th century properties; Waternook (sleeps 12) and The Great Barn (sleeps 8). Both properties are dog friendly.

Essex Lodges, 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 five 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.
Our eco stays: Brook Lodge (sleeps 2), Campion Lodge (sleeps 2), Endymion Lodge (sleeps 4), Ramson Lodge (sleeps 4) and Woodbell Lodge (sleeps 4). All our Essex eco stays are dog friendly.

Brooks Lodge, Piddinghoe, Sussex

Brooks Lodge is a soul-soothing, architect-created eco stay in the heart of the South Downs AONB. A proud winner of a 2013 Sussex Heritage Award, Brooks Lodge blends beautifully into the natural rural landscape with beautiful countryside views showcased by its bespoke floor-to-ceiling glass windows and stunning terraces. Lovingly crafted from traditional local materials, our extraordinary haven sleeps four and is blissfully eco-friendly. Heating and water is cleverly supplied by a ground source heat pump and an in-roof, inconspicuous photovoltaic slate system produces electricity. Situated by the River Ouse, there are amazing riverside walks from the front door and easy access to nearby Lewes. Alternatively enjoy a fun filled day on the coast at Brighton and Eastbourne, or explore the beautiful Seven Sisters Country Park.
Our eco stay: Brooks Lodge, Piddinghoe, East Sussex (sleeps 4).

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. 
Our eco stays: 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). 

Plas Cilybebyll Estate, near Pontardawe, South Wales

Lloc Lo and Ty Gambo, two of our six eco stays 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.
Our eco stays: 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).

Leaving a small footprint

Clockwise from top left: Waternook, Brooks Lodge, Beech Yurt & Campion Lodge

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 stays with an emphasis on being green, please click here.

Of course, not all of our holiday cottage owners can go ‘the whole hog’ but they certainly do what they can. All encourage guests to support the local shops, farm shops and eateries for fresh and locally sourced produce, as this is beneficial to the environment and good for the local economy. Staycation Holidays provide recycling information at your cottage, along with local walks, bicycle hire and cycle rides. Our cottages use energy saving LED lights, eco-friendly cleaning products and many have wood burning stoves which are considered to be energy neutral. We also encourage our guests to turn lights and appliances off when not in use.