Green Travel: Five of the Best Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Hotels in the UK
With climate change fast becoming a reality, we can do our part to support a conscious movement towards responsible tourism by choosing eco-friendly hotels, which help to make a positive impact on the planet.
Five of the Best Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Hotels in the UK
1) Whatley Manor, Cotswolds
Leading the way for hotel sustainability is Whatley Manor, a gorgeous getaway in the Cotswolds, comprising 23 individually designed rooms, two restaurants, 12 acres of gardens and a spa. The hotel has reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 98% since 2019, using 100% certified renewable Biogas energy while the passionate team works with the local community on sustainability projects. Whatley Manor has retained a Silver accreditation from EarthCheck for three years, while restaurant, The Dining Room, holds a Green Michelin Star.
2) Treehouse Hotel London, London
Treehouse Hotel London stands out for its commitment to sustainability, blending eco-conscious design with playful nostalgia. Perched high in London's skyline, this vibrant hotel uses reclaimed wood, natural materials, and abundant greenery, including a living wall, to create a rustic, eco-friendly atmosphere. Treehouse London has three restaurants, Pizzeria Mozza, Madera and the crown jewel of the property, The Nest, which offers organic cocktails and 360 degrees views from the wrap-around terrace.
3) Palé Hall Hotel, Snowdonia, North Wales
The grand and historic Palé Hall Hotel in Snowdonia is one of the greenest hotels in the UK and recent recipient of a Green Michelin Star since 2021 in recognition of its sustainable practices. These include Palé Hall’s own clean, completely carbon-neutral source of electricity, produced from the on-site hydro-electric generating plant. The estate is free of pesticides, fungicides or inorganic fertilisers and the woodland around Palé Hall is carefully managed to provide safe habitats for wildlife. In the fine dining restaurant, dishes are sourced locally wherever possible to support Welsh farmers and businesses, as well as to reduce haulage and CO2 emissions.
4) Swinton Park Hotel, North Yorkshire
This carbon-neutral haven invites guests to experience historic-yet-relaxed grandeur amid the breathtaking Yorkshire countryside. Powered by an eco-friendly biomass boiler, Swinton Park Hotel, a member of Beyond Green, exemplifies its commitment to sustainability, intertwining eco-conscious practices with a profound respect for nature. Spanning 7,000 acres of open moorland and 1,700 acres of woodland, the wider Swinton Estate takes on the responsibility of preserving and managing vast expanses of wild terrain. From revitalising river habitats to fostering biodiversity through wildflower meadows, a chemical-free natural pool and forest management, every endeavour is aimed at harmonising with the natural world.
5) Links House, Royal Dornoch
The UK's most northerly luxury destination, Links House is the perfect hotel for those looking to enjoy the very best of sustainable tourism. Located just steps from the iconic Royal Dornoch Golf Club, in the past few months, the hotel has further strengthened its sustainability offering with the introduction of garden and farm tours, which have been designed to allow guests to connect with the Highlands landscape, and enjoy an authentic experience meeting Head Gardener, Skye Buchanan, learn about successfully growing produce so far north, help pick herbs for dinner service and even take part in the lavender harvest.
