Our Environmental Policy

Many are small measures, but if many people do them, they do add up!

Recycling - Our council will collect glass items, tins and plastic bottles etc, and separately newspapers, magazines and other paper, plus textiles and shoes. We take care to use this service fully and provide boxes for our guests to do the same.

Lighting and energy saving - We use low energy bulbs in all external lighting and in livestock sheds.
Appliances with an energy rating of A or B (where the rating is available) are purchased when replacements are required.
Our central heating radiators are fitted with thermostatic valves and the central heating is only used in really cold weather.
Appliances are not left on standby or pilot lights left on except for the TV which is used to record programmes overnight and is difficult for our disabled member of the household to turn off and on!

Packaging - We buy as many household materials in bulk as possible to refill smaller containers, e.g. washing powder, dishwasher powder, washing up liquid, cleaning fluid and disinfectant.

Paper - We belong to the mail preference service to limit junk mail as far as possible, but some is unavoidable and so any pages only printed on one side are kept to reuse as rough paper.

Water - Rainwater is collected in butts to use for the pigs outdoors and in the garden.
We only use the washing machine and dish washers for full loads.
We do not leave the tap running whilst brushing our teeth

Gardening - We grow all our basic vegetables without fertilizer and minimum use of chemicals, preferring to use companion planting and timing to control problems as far as possible. Lawn mowings are used to mulch the vegetable garden providing weed control, moisture retention and fertilizer in one.

Farm - Only farmyard manure is used as a fertilizer and no sprays are used.

Woodland - A survey of an area of ancient woodland has suggested the presence of dormice so the management of this area has been adapted to mitigate any disturbance to them, and nest boxes have been erected. This woodland is also used by South West Forest for some of their educational courses on woodland management and green woodworking.

Culm grassland - Open areas in the new young woodland are being managed to encourage re-establishment of typical culm grassland species.

Guests are welcome to follow waymarked walks around the farm and a folder of information is provided in the games room for guests to read and take with them on walks if they want.

Information on local walks and cycling routes is available in each cottage.