Battlesteads Hotel

Wark on Tyne, Hexham

Placed right in the centre of North Tynedale, north of the historic market town of Hexham and within 4 miles of Hadrian's Wall, this four-star Inn is one of the north's most eco-friendly hotels with a prestigious Green Tourism Gold Award and the national Hotel Excellence 2009 award for Social Responsibility.

We believe that a greener environment can significantly add to the comfort and experience of our guests in the glorious Northumberland and Borders countryside, and at less than an hour's drive from Newcastle, it is ideal for a relaxing short stopover.

Our restaurant features a range of menus planned around seasonal availability of fresh produce to suit every price and palate; from snacks, sandwiches and fresh salads to full a-la-carte including succulent steaks, seasonal game and vegetables, freshwater fish and tasty seafood all providing a true taste of Northumbria.

We grow our own herbs and salad vegetables on-site, and our desserts are hand-made by our award-winning dessert chef, Dee Slade.

If you are staying over, our breakfasts are as famous as our dinners; succulent kippers, subtly smoked haddock, smoked salmon and a truly great full English are all available.

Dine in our restaurant or sunny conservatory with views into our walled garden, or eat outdoors in summer.

Find out lots more about Battlesteads at www.battlesteads.com

Battlesteads Country Inn, Wark on Tyne, Hexham, NE48 3LS
(01434) 230 209

www.battlesteads.com
[email protected]

Celtic Quest Coasteering

Ambleston, Pembrokeshire

Celtic Quest are Pembrokeshire's only mobile activity centre, dedicated to Coasteering. Meet us at the beach, wriggle into a toasty warm winter steamer wetsuit, white water helmet, buoyancy aid and if it’s a bit chilly, wetsuit gloves, hood and socks.

Imagine kayaking without a boat, bungee without a rope and surfing without a board. En route you'll find yourself scramble climbing, adventure swimming, rock hopping and leaping from the towering cliff faces. Explore your limits, if you don't fancy the rough water features or big jumps simply traverse or float around them. Open all year.

(01348) 881 530
07816 161 985
www.celticquestcoasteering.com
[email protected]

Compton Pool Farm

Compton, South Devon

Compton Pool is surrounded by the countryside of South Devon which plays host to a variety of flora and fauna. We are dedicated to protecting our beautiful 14-acre grounds for our guests to enjoy. It is also important to us that our business is respectful to the planet as a whole.

The stunning grounds and gardens are a particular feature of Compton Pool Farm. There are 14 acres, all of which is available to stroll around at your leisure. Two of the 5 lakes are well stocked with fish, including mirror carp, common carp, rudd, roach and tench. Guests are welcome to fish using their own equipment.

The orchard houses goats, pot bellied pigs and the famous miniature Pennywell Farm Pigs, all friendly and a source of great joy to children and adults alike. The whole area is abundant with wildlife.

(01803) 872 241
www.comptonpool.co.uk
[email protected]

Cottage Lodge

Brockenhurst, New Forest

Cottage Lodge is an award-winning, 12-bedroomed, environmentally responsible, beamed, five star B&B, set in the New Forest National Park village of Brockenhurst, where ponies wander freely. It's easy to get to Brockenhurst by car or by train.... its just 90 minutes from Waterloo. Once here, you don't need transport. From Cottage Lodge you are are just a stroll, cycle or horse ride to: the open forest; three pubs and seven delightful restaurants; a thriving village high street; and the railway station (with links to across the country and to the Isle of Wight).

When booking you can pick your room. So you can choose a room with a patio garden for example or a ground floor room. All rooms have en-suites, tea and coffee making (with local fresh milk and locally made cake in the Snug Bar), tv's and in-room safes. You can expect a warm welcome, a New Forest breakfast and a locally sourced honesty bar. We hope to have the pleasure of meeting you.

(01590) 622 296
www.cottagelodge.co.uk
[email protected]

Deepdale Backpackers & Camping

Burnham Deepdale, Norfolk

Award winning eco friendly self catering hostel accommodation and campsite on the beautiful north Norfolk coast, 'an area of outstanding natural beauty' and the driest, warmest, sunniest region in the UK.

Escape the smog and rat race of the cities to the coast, beaches and countryside around Deepdale. You can choose from a range of self catering accommodation, private en-suite rooms, Tipi’s, Yurts, camping, group hostel, dorm beds, all Open All Year, even Christmas and New Year.

The hostel and campsite are a great place to chill or be as active as you like. All the facilities you need are on the doorstep, including a cafe, information centre, super-market, shops, walking and hiking, cycling, water sports and kiting. We also run events throughout the year, see our event calendar for information.

Here at Deepdale we are the 2009 winners of the East of England’s coveted Sustainable Tourism award and Gold GTBS award holders too. We reduce, reuse and recycle all we can. This even goes as far as the creation of the site. Telegraph poles from around the farm were reused as support poles for external shelters and walkways. Forest management in the woods allows us to transplant trees and shrubs onto the campsite to help build hedges and wind breaks around the site.

We believe here at Deepdale that we don’t inherit the Earth from our parents we are lending it from our children.

Deepdale Backpackers and Camping, Burnham Deepdale, Norfolk, PE31 8DD
(01485) 210 256

www.deepdalebackpackers.co.uk
[email protected]

Eco-Explore

South Wales

Roam the beautiful South Wales countryside on Eco-explore’s amazing nature tours! Not only will you get the chance to see and hear some wonderful wildlife, but you will be actively conserving it by taking part in surveys, experiments and observations. Our tour guides are qualified and award-winning ecologists and zoologists who are passionate about conservation. We are a not-for-profit company, with our profits going to the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.

07749 548457
www.eco-explore.co.uk
[email protected]

Hareley Barn

Linley Green, near Bromyard, Herefordshire

Guests staying at Hareley Barn in Herefordshire have shown so much interest in what goes on at the farm that from next year they will have the option of a morning’s course on Starting a Smallholding.    The course will be tailored to their particular interest, whether it be general interest or the options for their own patch of ground.

Gillian Herbert, who farms cattle and rare breed sheep, pigs and poultry on Hareley Farm, will give an overview covering land management, choice of livestock and breed, regulations, marketing and the good and bad things would-be smallholders need to know. There is no charge for the course.

(01886) 884 362

[email protected]

Hoe Grange Holidays

Matlock, Derbyshire

Three award winning cosy self catering log cabins set on a working farm on the edge of the Peak District, Derbyshire. Hoe Grange Holidays offers a real "home from home”, with superb views, fully equipped kitchen/open plan lounge, luxurious whirlpool bath and spacious bedrooms for up to 14 guests.

Proud holders of the Green Tourism Business Scheme Gold Award and the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark, awarded for use of local produce, energy-efficiency, and nature conservation.

Relax in our outdoor log-fired Swedish hot tub, or enjoy delicious local foods delivered to your door. You can even bring your own horse on holiday.

(01629) 540 262
www.hoegrangeholidays.co.uk
[email protected]

Hull And East Yorkshire

Hull And East Yorkshire

Hull & East Yorkshire is host to some magnificent countryside including the East Yorkshire Wolds, celebrated for its quality of award-winning walks. The gently rolling chalk uplands make ideal walking countryside with panoramic viewing points and an unspoilt beauty that’s simply hypnotic. Circular day cycle rides on quiet roads and country lanes are also great for exploring.

Wildlife is rich with countless species of birds, including reintroduced red kites, butterflies, herons, frogs and grasshoppers drawn to this rare natural habitat.

There are lovely old market towns and sleepy hamlets with charming inns, serene duck ponds and fine churches to admire.

Local food and drink gives you a taste of Yorkshire through farm shops, direct farm sales, farmers’ markets, and food festivals and many restaurant and many accommodation providers pride themselves on using fresh local produce.

Coastal retreats to countryside cottages, luxurious country house hotels to cosy farmhouse B&BS, caravans to camping and a Straw Bale Cottage created with locally grown materials, generating power from renewable sources and featuring many environmental benefits.

The Deep in Hull. (Green Tourism Business Scheme’s Gold Award and Enjoy England Silver Award for sustainable tourism) is home to over 40 sharks and 3,500 fish including several species of rays.

Come to Hull and East Yorkshire and discover more:

www.realyorkshire.co.uk
[email protected]

Langass Lodge

Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides

Welcome to the wild and beautiful island of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides and welcome again to your destination address which must surely be Langass Lodge. Set on the edge of Loch Eport and overlooking Ben Eaval, this former shooting lodge is a comfortable and beautifully updated small hotel that gives you access to the Islands and their wide range of activities for recreation and leisure.

The Lodge, now into its 20th year under the same ownership and management offers a unique experience and opportunity for comfort and adventure. We have a play area for children and menus for younger visitors and believe ourselves to be genuinely family friendly.

North Uist and the Islands offer a rich variety of wildlife for visitors to watch in their natural habitat. The RSPB reserve at Balranald is 15 minutes drive away and we have regular otter walks leaving from Langass to watch at the edge of the sea Loch.

(01876) 580 285
[email protected]

Largest piece of ancient scheduled land in England!

Cheviot Cottages, Northumberland

570 hectares of beautiful moorland right next to Cheviot Holiday Cottages in the Northumberland National Park will be scheduled as an ancient monument.

This rich and complex archaeological landscape is a paradise for walkers and cyclists, contains a very high number of nationally important scheduled ancient monuments and provides a fascinating insight into how our ancient ancestors lived and farmed.

Holiday visitors staying at Cheviot Holiday Cottages can take footpaths and bridleways directly from the doorstep and in minutes are transported back in time to the Iron Age as they visit the numerous hill forts and ancient Iron Age settlements that abound in the surrounding countryside. - the National Park Visitor Centre is situated only a minute's walk away.

(01665) 578 236
[email protected]

Manor House Stables

Martin, Lincolnshire

Welcome to Manor House Stables, beautiful self-catering accommodation in the heart of rural Lincolnshire. The 18th century building has been lovingly restored using environmentally-friendly materials and traditional methods. It is warm and welcoming, with exposed beams, lime-washed walls and wood-burning stoves. Little extras include organic toiletries, fresh flowers, a luxury hamper full of organic and local specialities, home-grown vegetables, a box of organic chocolates, freshly baked bread made from flour ground at a local windmill, wine from our own apples and a fridge full of locally sourced goodies such as Lincolnshire sausages, cheeses, butter and eggs.

Gardening, crafts and cookery courses run throughout the year. We want our visitors to relax and unwind and enjoy the peaceful surroundings within this traditional rural setting. We hope that as they view the surrounding countryside, taste the fresh local food, smell the natural oils in the plant products we provide, breathe the fresh air (inside the building as well as outside), wake to the sound of bird song, and touch the wood, the wool and all the other natural fibres, their enthusiasm for living in harmony with nature, their appreciation for the environment and their understanding of the reasons for preserving it will all be enhanced.

Situated close to the Wolds, Coast and Fens in an area renowned for good walks, cycling, bird watching, golf, angling and the big outdoors. The Edwardian town of Woodhall Spa with its famous golf course and cinema and the historic city of Lincoln with its cathedral and castle are both only short drives away.

(01526) 378 717 or 07979 750 760

www.manorhousestables.co.uk
[email protected]

Natural Retreats

Across the UK & Ireland

Natural Retreats is a holiday company which offers people in the UK and Ireland unique self catering experiences in some of the most luxurious holiday properties in simply stunning locations. This is matched by a service ethos and facilities that ensure there is no comparable holiday experience for the discerning traveller in the UK and Ireland.

Located in the Yorkshire Dales, Llŷn Peninsula and 2 sites in Cornwall in the UK and at four locations in Ireland, , Adare Manor in County Limerick, Parknasilla in County Kerry, Castlemartyr in County Cork and Kilronan Castle in County Roscommon, Natural Retreats is the benchmark for a new luxury self catering holiday experience in both countries.

(0161) 242 2970
www.NaturalRetreats.com
[email protected]

Pollaughan Cottages

Roseland Peninsula, Cornwall

Our Little Farm consists of 22 acres of meadows surrounding our farmstead making for a peaceful and idyllic setting where everyone who wishes can really get close to our animals during the daily round of checking and feeding.

Children love this part of the holiday, it is a great confidence giver and most importantly leaves lasting and happy memories.

It is the freedom to wander safely around without the safety restrictions of a busy working farm that makes Pollaughan so special and brings our visitors back time and again.

• Tina and Philip - our very friendly resident Donkeys
• Annie, Heather, Holly and June - our 4 Pygmy Goats
• Small flock of 50 Dorset ewes who lamb around Easter
• Chickens with daily egg collecting (depending on time of year)
• Safely fenced Nature Area with lake, ducks and an abundance of wildlife
• Gloucester Old Spot Pigs (bought each spring as piglets, sold in the autumn)

(01872) 580 150
Pollaughan Cottages

Sandy Balls

New Forest, Hampshire

Set in 120 acres of woodland in the heart of the beautiful New Forest National Park, Sandy Balls Holiday Centre is the ultimate relaxing countryside retreat.

Whether you want to unwind, explore, dine out, join in or go it alone – the choice is yours.

There is a range of accommodation on offer to suit all preferences and budgets from luxury lodges and cosy caravans to Ready Tents and teepees.

With superb facilities and first-class customer service, Sandy Balls has something for everyone whether it’s a long weekend or midweek break there is sure to be lots going on.

And the stunning New Forest holiday centre has the environment at the heart of all it does, focusing on the sustainability of operations and conservation of the rich natural environment which makes it such a unique destination.

Locally produced products can be found throughout Sandy Balls in the restaurant, the Country Store and at the popular monthly Farmer’s Markets.

For more information about what Sandy Balls has to offer or to request a 2010 brochure you can visit www.sandyballs.co.uk or call (01425) 653 042.

Snowdonia Tourist Association

Snowdonia, North Wales

Holiday makers who have embraced the “going green” message at home often find it hard to find self-catering properties that suit their philosophy when they go away.

However, there are some holiday let agencies who are increasingly working to meet this new demand. Gwen Thomas, director of Snowdonia Tourist Services, in North Wales, is a keen eco-warrior who has instigated a strong “green” policy in all her rental cottages.

“Each of our properties is graded according to how green it is, so customers can make an informed choice. I have made it a top priority to advise and encourage property owners to take on board the latest ecological initiatives.”

Gwen has devised a pack for property owners giving advice on everything from saving energy by lagging hot water cylinders to putting in loft insulation and using solar power.

She added: “Many of our properties now have excellent green credentials and we find that our customers are increasingly green-aware.”

(01766) 513 829
www.STS-Holidays.co.uk

Taking green to the extreme!

Lanyon Holiday Cottages, Cornwall

Wind turbine means Lanyon Holiday Cottages in Cornwall are set to become energy self-sufficient.

Lanyon are now proud owners of a new 50kW Endurance wind turbine. Sited away from the cottages so there is no noise, it has taken Geoffrey Leggo 14 months to research and install Aeolus Power’s first 50kW Cornish turbine. The power supplied will provide energy for all Lanyon Holiday Cottages and it will also be putting green energy back into the national grid. We are taking green to the extreme. Our new turbine is good news for the environment, and good news for business. Book now for wind turbine tours!

(01872) 242166
[email protected]

Treberfedd Farm

Dihewyd, Lampeter

Treberfedd Organic Farm nr Cardigan Bay, Mid Wales, is the ideal place for a ‘green’ break in the country.

The farm is just 20 minutes from the Cardigan Bay coastline which offers coastal walks, dolphin watching boat trips and pretty harbour towns.

The seventeenth century thatched Welsh farmhouse at Treberfedd is the perfect country retreat. The farmhouse was lovingly restored using eco-friendly building materials and contains original wall paintings, period furniture and a wood burning stove. Firewood is supplied from the farm’s woodlands.

The cottages are set amongst sixty acres of organic farmland which guests are free to explore. By prior arrangement guests can help farmer Jack feed the rare breed sheep, cows and chickens or take part in a guided farm walk. Free range eggs and organic beef and lamb can be bought from the farm.

The land is farmed sustainably and is home to abundant wildlife. Since 2005 Farmer Jack has restored traditional hay meadows, and hedgerows and planted 14,000 native broadleaf trees.

(01570) 470 672
www.treberfedd.co.uk
[email protected]