SUSTAINABILITY
Solar Panels
We installed our 54 array solar panels in 2022, these sit facing south in the field in front of the barns. They reduce the amount of electric we need to import, and guarantee a large amount of the electric you use during your stay in the sunny months is produced on site.
The remaining electricity supply is through Octopus Energy and is therefore guaranteed to be from green energy sources.
Ground Source Heat Pump
All our heating and hot water is produced by our Ground Source Heat Pump, this derives it heat from the array of pipes in our pond in front of the barns. The system is more efficient by having the array of pipes in the pond rather than the ground.
EV Chargers
We have three 7kW EV Chargers. These are available to guests, but you will need to obtain a pin code from us. We recharge the cost of the electric at the current import cost to us from Octopus Energy. You can either pay us from the card you use as a security deposit. Or we can send you an invoice when you leave which can be paid by cash or card.
Toiletries
In each bathroom, ensuite or toilet, we provice both handwash and a moisturiser. We source this from Out of Eden based just a few miles away in Kirkby Stephen. This means I can collect them myself limiting the mileage of delivery drivers.
We use the Eden – Green Tree and Lemon Zest range, these are refilled using 5L refill bottles to save on plastic waste.
- Dermatologically tested for sensitive skin
- Made in the UK using vegan and cruelty-free ingredients
- Bottles made from 30% recycled Prevented Ocean Plastic
Cleaning Products
We source almost all our products from Out of Eden, to ensure we are supporting a local business. We always buy refillable bottles, hence why you will see polite signs when you stay with us not to through any bottles away.
Our washing up cloths and sponges we also clean and reuse as many times as is practical, to limit the amount of waste that is produced
Hamper Supplies
Our hamper supplies are purchased mainly from local suppliers:
Sourdough Bread: Ivy Cottage Baker https://www.facebook.com/ivycottagebaker/
Fudge: Country Flavours http://www.country-flavour.co.uk/
Cheese from the local Appleby Creamery https://applebycreamery.co.uk/
Milk, and Eggs are delivered by our local milkman.
Wood
All our wood for the woodburners and firepit are sourced from our own woodland. Each year we have trees that have fallen in the storms that we cut up and stack to dry for a year in our sheds.
We manage our woods to allow a diverse habitat, attracting woodcock, red squirrels, numerous little birds such as Siskins, Tree creepers, and Firecrests.
Wildflower Bank
You will notice as you arrive the bank that shields the barns from the water that backs up from the River Eden. This natural flood barrier has been sown with native grasses and wildflowers that flower through out the year; attracting bees, moths and butterflies for the pollen, and Goldfinches that love the seeds in the late summer/early autumn.
Recycling
We recycle as much as we can, there is no commercial recycling in the Eden Valley, so we have to take everything to the recycling centers ourselves. This we do after each changeover, we have individual boxes to collect the recycling and split it out so that it makes it easier and quicker to sort when we get to the recycling centers.
Our recycling area incorporates a green roof to attract butterflies and bees.
