4 nights for the price of 2...

Stay 4 nights from Monday to Friday during March for only £255.00 Call us now on 01298 83219 to book....

Aiming Green

We arrived at Wheeldon Trees Farm in March 2007. Our main reason for moving to the Peak District was to escape the city and the urban life in which we had spent all our previous 94 combined years; we wanted to establish a home and business where we could put into practice some of our ideas for living and working with a minimal impact on the environment!

Our eventual aim is to achieve a carbon neutral status – we are not sure yet how long this will take, but we are committed to it! We want our guests to enjoy a fantastic holiday here with us in the Peak District National Park, and we also want to look after our environment. We think that increasing numbers of you will be looking for a holiday with a difference and we want to provide it.

In July 2008, we were awarded the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark. This recognizes businesses that have adopted good environmental practices and contribute to the support and conservation of the Peak District National Park.

In August 2008, we were delighted to be awarded the Silver Award for the Green Business Tourist Scheme. The GTBS is the leading sustainable tourism certification scheme in the UK, with over 1400 members. Businesses opting to join are assessed against a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas, like energy and water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity and more. Over the coming year, we will be working towards the Gold standard.

Here are some of the things that we are already doing:

Waste/Recycling
* We recycle glass, paper, tins, cardboard, milk/fruit juice cartons and plastic
* We provide our guests with a separate container in which to place all kitchen waste. The contents are ‘fed’ to our on-site green cone food waste digesters
* We supply our guests with recycled toilet paper, kitchen paper, silver foil and tissues
* Wherever possible, we use email and telephone, rather than paper
* We recycle our used printer cartridges

Energy
* We have installed a ground source heat pump. This clever machine converts stored solar energy in the ground to provide central heating and hot water and only uses a small amount of electricity to power the pump. No need for gas or oil !
* We have installed under-floor heating in the ground floors of all our cottages and fitted radiators on the first floor with thermostatic valves
* We have overhauled (and replaced, where necessary) our windows and doors to reduce drafts and heat loss to a minimum.
* Curtains over external doors help to further reduce drafts and heat loss
* We have invested heavily in insulating the solid stone walls of our cottages with rigid insulation boards behind plasterboard lining
* We have added extra insulation in the loft spaces
* We have installed low energy lighting throughout
* Wherever possible, we have fitted minimum ‘A’ rated appliances to reduce energy consumption
* We make as much use as possible of the sun and wind to dry our laundry
* We buy our electricity from Ecotricity – although not the cheapest, we like the fact that they are investing heavily in renewable energy sources
* We monitor electricity usage to help identify potential savings
* We are investigating the installation of a wind turbine to further lessen our dependence on non-renewable energy sources

Water
* The toilets in our cottages are dual-flush
* Our shower heads are water-saving ‘Eco’Camels’, which reduce consumption without affecting quality of flow!
* All baths are fitted with over-bath showers as a water saving alternative
* We collect rainwater from our roofs in butts for watering the garden and containers in the courtyard

Purchasing

* We supply our guests with complimentary toiletries in refillable plastic bottles for use during their stay
* We offer guests a ‘breakfast basket’ with locally produced goods
* Locally produced pre-prepared meals are available from our communal freezer
* Wherever possible, we use local suppliers. Our renovations were undertaken by local builders, architects and craftsmen
* We offer local suppliers the opportunity to match prices we have received elsewhere
* We buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste

Transport
* We offer a discount for those guests who choose to arrive by public transport or by bike, and can arrange collection from nearby train and bus stations
* We refund our guests the cost of local bus journeys during their stay
* We provide guests with information on cycle hire, local transport, and a place where they can lock bicycles up safely
* We have lots of information on “walks from the door” to give guests the choice of a car free break or holiday.
* We drive a hybrid Toyota Prius !

How about you, our guests?

We can work together to make less of an impact on our surroundings and we ask our guests to help by doing the following:

* Buy local food and services whilst you are here. This supports the local community that you have come to visit and reduces food miles
* Use our recycling facilities: Reduce, Re-use and Recycle
* Use public transport. Go by bus or enjoy the wide range of beautiful walks right on your doorstep at Wheeldon Trees.
* Bring your bikes - we have secure bike storage for you to use
* Use as little water as possible
* Only turn heating up higher if necessary
* Buy products with less packaging
* Respect the Country Code, and dispose of litter carefully
* Follow the instructions regarding the septic tanks; chemicals kill the natural cleaning cycle