Eight of the best sustainable hotels across the UK

Sustainable staycations have never looked so good, and with a plethora of incredible eco-conscious boltholes right on our doorsteps, we don’t have to travel abroad to reap the benefits of sustainability. Whether it’s a hotel serving up locally sourced, home-grown cuisine, an off-the-grid eco lodge experience, or a reserve that protects rare and endangered species, these UK treasures prove you can enjoy travel while being kind to the environment – and without compromising on luxury and comfort.

Retreat East, Suffolk. Image: Retreat East

Eagle Brae

Eagle Brae seamlessly merges spectacular scenery and untamed wildlife with plush pioneer-style accommodation. The authentic, hand-crafted eco cabins are hidden away in an ancient Caledonian forest in the hilltops of the Scottish Highlands, boasting breathtaking views across mountains, moorland and lochs for a true back-to-nature experience. The roofs are topped with wildflower grass, while the rustic-chic interiors brim with fairytale whimsy – proudly sustainable, the cabins are also powered entirely by renewables.

Eagle Brae, Scotland. Image: Eagle Brae/ timwinterburn

The Montagu Arms Hotel

An elegant country house hotel sitting in a quiet corner of the New Forest, The Montagu Arms Hotel is an idyllic abode for a proper English escape. With a Green Tourism Award – Gold 2019 under its belt, this timeless country gem is committed to sustainable, eco-friendly practices. For truly fresh and flavoursome dishes, the three AA Rosette-awarded Terrace Restaurant uses only the finest local countryside and coastal ingredients, sourced by the Michelin-trained chef, Matthew Whitfield – the property also has its very own kitchen herb and vegetable garden.

Terrace Restaurant at The Montague Arms Hotel, Hampshire. Image: The Montague Arms Hotel

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve – Treehouse Hotel

If an African safari experience is at the top of your travel bucket list, you’re in for a treat – and you don’t even have to board a plane. The award-winning Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve sits within 600 acres of land in Kent, and is home to over 760 rare and endangered species. Nestled in the tree canopy above the reserve, you’ll find the luxurious Treehouse Hotel. Each glass-fronted tree house is a stylish, open-plan space, complete with a balcony boasting views across the rhino and cheetah paddocks. All stays here directly contribute to the reserve’s conservation work, with all profits going to the The Aspinall Foundation charity – a stay that truly helps.

Treehouse Hotel at Port Lympne Reserve & Hotel, Kent. Image: Port Lympne Reserve & Hotel

The Private Hill

Keen to go off the grid and leave the world behind? Unwind, re-energise and re-connect in one of these eco-chic geodesic domes, sitting in a peaceful pocket of the North Yorkshire Wolds. Named after some of the farm’s former award-winning pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle, the domes offer cutting-edge reprieve from the outdoors, where you can enjoy all the luxuries of a boutique hotel – think The White Company toiletries and comfy super king-size beds. You can also enjoy farm-friendly pastimes aplenty here, including an incredible walking experience with the resident alpacas, Ziggy, Renoir and Perseus.

Geodesic dome at The Private Hill, Yorkshire. Image: The Private Hill

Ston Easton Park

Ston Easton Park is a step back in time to a bygone era of opulence and decadence, but a step towards the future with its environmental responsibility and values. One of the most exclusive hotels in Somerset, this West Country treasure is full to brim with original features and furnishings, not to mention a warm and welcoming ambience for a home-from-home feel. As for the dining, 60% of the ingredients are grown in the hotel’s own kitchen garden, while the rest are sourced locally by the head chef for the freshest flavours – it’s no wonder it holds the culinary crown when it comes to exquisite dining.

Sorrell Restaurant at Ston Easton Park, Somerset. Image: Ston Easton Park

Retreat East

Wellness and relaxation are at the forefront of Retreat East in the Suffolk countryside. Crafted from eco-friendly materials and incorporating solar panels, this restored farmhouse is made up of converted barns, each owning a unqiue, individual style – from exposed brick walls and wooden beams to sumptuous textured fabrics and tiled wood-burning fireplaces. With an outdoor Jacuzzi to soak away all your stresses and a menu of natural Elemental Herbology treatments focusing on the elements, you’ll get to embrace the true meaning of rejuvenation while surrounded by stunning countryside scenes.

Retreat East, Suffolk. Image: Retreat East

Atlantic Surf Pods

You’ll find the contemporary Atlantic Surf Pods on the north Cornwall coast, amid sheltered, undulating landscaped lawns for true tranquillity. This collection of cosy, curved pods sit in all their eco-friendly glory not far from some of the best surfing beaches and rugged Cornish coastline. Capsule living has never been more luxurious, with each pod featuring underfloor heating and memory foam king-size beds, alongside an alfresco decking area with unobstructed views of the stars – the best of the outdoors and sustainable modern comforts bundled into one.

Atlantic Surf Pods in Bude, Cornwall. Image: Atlantic Surf Pods

Whatley Manor

This five-star Cotswolds manor house has embarked on an eco-friendly journey to make the hotel, its restaurants and spa a beacon for sustainability. Alongside stellar sustainability credentials, this countryside abode holds Relais and Chateau status and is a Pride of Britain Hotels member. You’ll find a two Michelin-starred restaurant headed up by Niall Keating, and a more laid-back brasserie, both featuring menus carefully crafted using freshly plucked ingredients from the manor’s very own kitchen garden for a memorable culinary affair. There’s also the luxurious Aquarias Spa where you can reset and recharge away from it all.

Whatley Manor, Wiltshire. Image: Whatley Manor

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