Green Holidays

It is encouraging to see that more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of being green in as many different aspects of their lives as possible, and as this awareness grows so do the opportunities available for people to do things in a more environmentally friendly way. One such area is holidays, and with holidaymakers beginning to take note of the impact that overseas travel has on their carbon footprint there has been a resurgence in popularity of UK holidays. It goes without saying that the lack of air travel involved in taking a UK holiday immediately makes it more environmentally friendly, but you may not be aware that there are also an increasing number of eco-friendly holiday properties available to rent for the self catering traveller.

South West holiday rental specialists Blue Chip Holidays have a number of eco-homes within their impressive portfolio, and these properties bring a new dimension to self catering holidays without compromising the quality or standard of luxury you would expect from four or five star accommodation. Holiday homes can be graded under the BREEAM scheme which promotes and influences sustainable construction practices across the world. Properties are measured against six key areas including energy and water efficiency, waste management and use of materials.

A prime example of a luxurious yet eco-friendly holiday home is Cuckoo Lodge near Taunton in Somerset which nestles at the foot of the Quantock Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This five star gold rated eco-lodge comfortably sleeps eight in a tranquil setting with wildlife aplenty. The timber lodge was manufactured in Finland using the highest quality slow grown timber and the latest in carbon neutral technologies and features the latest in solar and heating technologies. Enjoying the countryside could not be easier as whichever way you turn at the gate you will find yourself strolling or cycling along miles of leaf lined lanes with rolling fields and the Quantock Hills and Exmoor stretching out before you.

Once you are enjoying your holiday there are a number of things that you can do to make your visit even greener. One of the biggest tips would have to be buying locally as much as possible – by eating and drinking in local restaurants and cafes you will be benefitting the local community, or you could visit a farmers market where you will be able to sample and buy some delicious locally sourced meats, cheeses and organic produce, all with low food miles. The same thing goes for any souvenirs that you might buy to take home. Treat your holiday home the same way as you would your own home – taking showers rather than baths will help to conserve water and turning down the heating by just one degree will help reduce your energy consumption.

By taking a carefully planned UK break and following a few simple steps whilst you are there you can look forward to a memorable holiday without any guilt over the impact you are having on the environment.

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