Photo by: VisitBritain/Daniel Wildey
Green escapes: From manor to meadow
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Dreaming of a summer escape where nature takes the spotlight? From stately manors set in lush gardens to off-grid treehouses perched among the leaves, Britain has green getaways for all kinds of eco-conscious traveller. Hike the Lake District’s fells, forage in Scottish woodlands, or enjoy cream tea fresh from Cornish pastures – all while staying somewhere that puts sustainability at its heart. Whether it’s luxury with a light footprint or wild adventures off the beaten path, these eco-friendly retreats prove your clients don’t have to sacrifice comfort to go green.
England
Green in style…
Cedar Manor, The Lake District
Tucked away in the heart of the Lake District, Cedar Manor is a family-run boutique hotel championing sustainability, with energy-efficient heating, eco-friendly cleaning products, and a food waste reduction programme. The restaurant serves dishes created from local produce, bringing the flavours of the Lake District to your clients’ plates, all while keeping food miles to a minimum. The manor’s rooms are a blend of traditional charm and contemporary comfort – think locally made toiletries and organic cotton bedding. Step outside into lush gardens, where your clients can unwind while soaking up the fresh country air. Just a short stroll will take them to Windermere Lake, where outdoor adventures like hiking and cycling await.
Getting there: Trains run regularly from Manchester Airport to Windermere, with one change at either Preston or Oxenholme Lake District stations – a journey of around two to three hours. Cedar Manor is a 10-minute walk from Windermere train station.
Daylesford Organic, Daylesford, Gloucestershire
Connect with nature at Daylesford Organic in the heart of the Cotswolds, where the focus is on sustainable practices and home-grown organic food. Daylesford offers a range of characterful accommodation, from traditional stone cottages and converted barns to cosy rooms in an 18th-century pub. Each retreat oozes rustic charm while boasting modern comforts like organic linen and plush robes. But there’s more to Daylesford. Guests can immerse themselves in the farm’s organic lifestyle, from indulging in farm-to-table dining, wellness treatments, or taking part in hands-on workshops, from floristry to cooking classes. The farm offers plenty to explore, from meeting the animals to discovering organic farming practices.
Getting there: The nearest airport is Birmingham Airport, with the journey to Daylesford taking around one hour 30 minutes by car. Alternatively, driving from London takes around two hours 30 minutes.
Heckfield Place, Hampshire
Tune into a slower pace of life and connect with nature at the five-star Heckfield Place, around ten miles (16km) to the south of Reading. At its heart is Home Farm, a biodynamic paradise supplying the hotel’s restaurants with seasonal produce, ensuring that every dish bursts with seasonal flavours. Clients can roll up their sleeves in gardening workshops, wander wildflower meadows or lose themselves in ancient woodland. But Heckfield’s commitment to the planet goes much deeper, with practices including rainwater harvesting, composting and rewilding projects to ensure nature is nurtured. Even the manor itself has been restored with locally sourced materials and energy-efficient design in mind.
Getting there: London Heathrow Airport is the closest international gateway to Heckfield Place (around 35 minutes by car).
Green and wild…
Callestock Courtyard, Cornwall
Escape to the heart of Cornwall, where Callestock Courtyard and its herd of Jersey cows await. Choose from seven self-catering cottages, a short distance from Truro, as a base to explore the county’s pristine beaches, heritage houses like Trelissick and Trerice, and colourful gardens. When not out exploring, sunbathe on the patio, relax with a deep tissue massage, or join farmers Nick and Liz on a tour of the dairy farm. For the ultimate farm-to-fork treat, try Liz’s traditional Cornish cream tea, with clotted cream made with the farm’s own milk.
Getting there: Callestock Courtyard is a 20- to 30-minute drive from Cornwall Airport Newquay. If arriving by train, the nearest mainline railway station is in Truro, a 15-minute drive from Callestock Courtyard.
Budle Bay Croft, Northumberland
Whatever the season, there’s always something to see and do during a family-friendly Budle Bay Croft farm stay, situated on the picturesque Northumberland coast, a short distance from Bamburgh Castle. There are lambs to feed in spring, sheep to shear in summer, marshmallows to toast in autumn and a sledging slope to tackle in winter. For hikers, the Northumberland Coastal Path is just on the doorstep. Refuel at the on-site takeaway, the Northumbrian Artisan Pizza Company. The charming Northumbrian stone cottages offer a cosy escape, with rustic charm and modern comforts – think stylish open-plan living, wood-burning stoves, and fully equipped kitchens.
Getting there: The nearest major airport isNewcastle International Airport. From Newcastle Central Station, take a train to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Then take a taxi to Budle Bay Croft.
Scotland
Green in style…
Cameron House on Loch Lomond, The Highlands
Perched on the banks of Loch Lomond, Cameron House is an opulent five-star Highlands escape and foodie paradise. The hotel not only boasts Michelin-starred restaurant, Tamburrini and Wishart, but also five other dining venues where clients can indulge in the best of Scottish produce. The rooms offer a cosy retreat after a day spent exploring, while self-catering lodges provide a more rustic experience. Outside, the mountains and forests of the Trossachs are waiting to be explored. For a real taste of adventure, your clients can set sail across the loch on a cruise, get their adrenaline pumping on a 4x4 safari, or try falconry and horse riding. After an action-packed day, they can unwind at the expansive spa, complete with a rooftop infinity pool that looks out over the loch.
Getting there: Cameron House is located approximately 25 minutes by car from Glasgow International Airport.
Ballintaggart, Ballintaggart Farm, Perthshire
Nestled above the Tay Valley in Perthshire, Ballintaggart offers a taste of rural Scotland. The newly renovated farmhouse sleeps up to 18 guests and features stylish interiors, underfloor heating, a log-burning stove, and a fully equipped kitchen – blending countryside living with contemporary design. Another true highlight is the food. Ballintaggart’s restaurant offers a gastronomic experience created from the best local produce, often sourced from their own garden or nearby suppliers. Imagine tucking into Loch Fyne oysters, Wye Valley asparagus, Orkney scallops and Shetland lamb – all are often on the menu. For a hands-on experience, your clients can hone their skills and learn from the experts at the on-site Cook School.
Getting there: The nearest major international airport is Edinburgh Airport. From Edinburgh, take a train to Pitlochry or Dunkeld and Birnam, followed by a short taxi ride to Ballintaggart Farm.
Saorsa 1875, Pitlochry, Perthshire
Saorsa 1875 is the UK’s first 100% plant-based hotel, set within two acres of woodland in Pitlochry, Perthshire. Each of the 11 en-suite rooms, bearing names like Otter and Lynx, offers a green sanctuary with eco-conscious design. Awaken to the gentle rustle of leaves and indulge in a breakfast that celebrates the finest local produce – all plant-based, of course. In the evening, gather in the lounge to savour a five-course tasting menu that transforms humble vegetables into culinary masterpieces. The dishes, crafted from seasonal and foraged ingredients, reflect Saorsa’s commitment to sustainability and gastronomic quality.
Getting there: The nearest international airport is Edinburgh Airport. From Edinburgh city centre, take the train to Pitlochry, followed by a 10-minute walk to the hotel.
Green and wild…
Newton of Fothringham Farm, Angus
Enjoy a slower pace of life with the Nicoll family at the peaceful Newton of Fothringham Farm, near Forfar, in rural Angus. Get cosy in their traditional guesthouse or cottage accommodation, where your clients can start each day with a Scottish breakfast, complete with eggs from the farm hens. Get stuck into their award-winning experiences for a taste of life on a working farm, where your clients might meet alpacas, lambs, or even Scotland’s famous furry residents, the Highland cows.
Getting there: The nearest international airport is Edinburgh Airport. From Edinburgh city centre, take the train to Dundee, then it’s a 20-minute taxi ride to the farm.
Wales
Green in style…
Palé Hall, Snowdonia (Eryri)
Step into a slice of Victorian elegance at Palé Hall, a country house hotel near Bala, on the edge of Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park. With just 18 rooms and suites designed to retain the building’s historic character, it lets your clients step back in time. The hotel’s three-AA-Rosette and Green Michelin star restaurant, Henry Robertson, showcases the very best of British seasonal ingredients, with dishes crafted to highlight the fresh flavours of the region. The seasonal menus make use of produce from local farms, supporting sustainable food practices and reducing the carbon footprint. Fancy a little adventure? Try fishing on the private lake, or guided mountain hikes. For a grander touch, cruise through the countryside in a Rolls Royce – chauffeur optional.
Getting there: To reach Palé Hall from Manchester Airport, take a train to Bangor from Manchester Piccadilly station. From Bangor station it’s a 40-minute taxi ride.
Green and wild…
Aberhyddnant Farm Cottages, Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog)
Make Aberhyddnant Farm Cottages the base for an eco-friendly stay in the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) National Park. From biomass heating to electric vehicle charging points, sustainability is at the heart of their ethos. A highlight here is sheep trekking, part of the family business, where your clients can explore the National Park in the company of friendly Jacob sheep.
Getting there: Travelling from Cardiff Airport, take a train from Cardiff Central Station to Abergavenny. Then it’s a 20-minute taxi ride to the cottages.
Sustainable sips, bites and experiences
Lammas Ecovillage, Pembrokeshire
Lammas Ecovillage was founded by self-sufficiency guru John Seymour, who moved to West Wales in the 1960s. It is a collective of nine ‘Hobbit’ houses, clustered around a central community hub. They aim to use environmental design, green technology and permaculture to show that it’s perfectly possible to live lightly in a landscape in which people are part of the wider ecosystem. It’s also about inspiring others to follow in their (low-carbon) footsteps: they run guided tours every Saturday from May to September.
Getting there: The nearest major international airport to Lammas Ecovillage is Cardiff Airport. Then it’s a two-hour drive to the site.
Crocadon, St Mellion, Cornwall
Crocadon is a farm-to-table restaurant set on a 120-acre biodynamic farm in the Cornish countryside, near Plymouth. Chef Dan Cox focuses on providing a seasonal, locally sourced dining experience, with ingredients grown on the farm. The farm practices biodynamic farming principles, which ensure the health of the soil and environment while minimising the restaurant’s carbon footprint. The menu highlights the fresh, diverse produce grown on-site, such as rare breeds of livestock and heritage vegetables, with dishes like Cornish lamb or seasonal foraged mushrooms. Crocadon’s farm was developed with the vision of creating a space where guests could not only enjoy food but also learn about the farming practices behind it. Visitors can explore the farm, which includes gardens and spaces that reflect the ethos of sustainable living. The farm also offers educational experiences, from garden tours to interactive cooking demonstrations.
Getting there: The nearest major airports are London Gatwick Airport and London Heathrow Airport. From there, take a direct train from London Paddington to Plymouth (around three hours). From Plymouth, bus and taxi services can provide connections to St Mellion, around 10 miles (16km) away.
Jericho, Plungar, Leicestershire
Set in the rural village of Plungar, near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, Jericho is a true farm-to-table dining destination, where sustainability is woven into every aspect of the restaurant. Having scooped a prestigious Michelin Green star in 2025, the restaurant is located on a family-owned farm, led by chef Richard Stevens, who is a fourth-generation farmer, alongside his wife Grace, who manages the front-of-house. Jericho sources much of its produce from its own farm, ensuring the freshest seasonal ingredients make their way onto the menu. Signature dishes like one-year aged cull cow with horseradish showcase their commitment to ethical farming, self-sufficiency and low-impact agriculture using regenerative farming techniques.
Getting there: Birmingham Airportis roughly an hour’s drive away.
