Incorporating Sustainable Practices in Our Holiday Cottages
At our Norfolk holiday cottages. Mill Farm Eco Barns, we’ve always been passionate about providing guests with unique and eco-friendly cottage holidays. Our journey towards offering eco-friendly barns has been both challenging and rewarding. Although we believe that sustainable practices are not just an option; they’re a responsibility we do this with flair and without compromising on style.
In 2024 we were delighted to win the East of England’s Tourism Awards for Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Business of the Year. Judges cited our commitment to our community and to the natural environment.
The Journey Towards Eco-Friendly Accommodation
Our quest for eco-friendliness started ten years ago when we embarked on the journey of transforming our traditional farm buildings into cozy, eco-conscious cottages. It was essential for us to maintain the rustic charm of these structures while integrating modern, sustainable features. We knew that sustainability isn’t just about recycling and conserving energy; it’s a holistic approach to harmonise with nature.
Heat and Power
The first task when we began our conversion, was to address how we would heat and power our luxury holiday barns in Norfolk and our house next door. An oil boiler was out of the question. In the end, we opted for a wood-burning pellet boiler, a heat pumps and on-site solar panels and battery storage, along with energy-efficient appliances and light fittings. This investment has radically reduced our energy use. Indeed in summer 2023 we exported more energy back to the grid than we used. Any electricity we do import from the grid is supplied on a green tariff. We also have two electric car charging points for guests to use for a small fee. This means that our Norfolk countryside retreats are lovely and cozy and are are designed with your comfort and our planet’s well-being in mind.
We are in a low-rainfall area so reducing water consumption is important
We also knew that water use is key in our Norfolk holiday cottages. All taps are reduced flow without compromising user experience. We collect water from the barn roofs to fill our wildlife pond. The drinking water is on mains. Rainwater tanks are buried so you won’t see them.
Plastic and waste reduction; for eco-friendly accommodation
Plastic is a hot topic at the moment and while we’re working towards being plastic-free, we’re very careful with our current usage.
Our Norfolk rural retreats have recycling and food composting facilities for all our guests. Plastic use is reduced further by using using eco-friendly cleaning products and soap which I buy in bulk and then re-use and refill. We also use UK recycled loo roll.
Nature and biodiversity in our eco-friendly holiday cottages
We are on the edge of the Broads National Park and can walk to an Area of Outstanding National Beauty from the barns. When we moved here, our 2-acre site was barren and did little to support the local bird populations and biodiversity. We have planted over 40 fruit trees and a 1km of hedgerow around the entire site – that’s over 1800 saplings! The paddocks are now managed for wildlife and we have restored a wildlife pond too. We have nesting swallows every year and have put up bird boxes including a kestrel box and a swift box. We have loved watching the local birdlife flourish on site and it’s fantastic for our guests and kids to see.
Eat Local
As well as supplying guests with goodies like local jams, eggs, bread and cake on arrival, we also have a guest allotment for guests to pick their herbs and vegetables. I provide as much information as possible to encourage our guests to buy from local independent shops and growers too as we have an abundance in the area! You can find out more about them in my blog on local food.
Challenges and Triumphs of Going Green
The path to eco-friendliness wasn’t without its challenges. We faced hurdles in sourcing sustainable materials and finding the right balance between luxury and environmental responsibility. The investment in new technologies such as heat pumps, battery storage and photo voltaic is complicated and confusing, Neil has become a bit of an expert in designing and maintaining these systems but we had our fair share of misinformation, bad workmanship and terrible advice. However, these challenges only fuelled our determination to create a unique eco-friendly holiday experience for our guests.
Perhaps one of our least pleasant experiences was unclogging the drains with the bamboo loo roll. We now use plastic-free high-quality recycled loo roll.
One of our triumphs was the implementation of renewable energy sources. We harnessed the power of the sun with solar panels, reducing our reliance on conventional energy and lowering our carbon emissions. It’s been a step towards a cleaner, greener future for our rural lodgings in Norfolk.
Another has been in making our 4 bedroom 4 bathroom Threshing Barn fully accessible to wheelchair users. This includes the addition of a wet room.
Future Plans for Enhancing Eco-Friendliness
Our journey towards sustainability is ongoing, and we’re continually exploring new ways to enhance our eco-friendliness. Now we have finished all building work our focus will turn to the grounds and enhancing the wildflower meadow. We will always look to further reduce our environmental impact in our Norfolk barn accommodation, I have my eye on a roof-mounted wind turbine.
We have also just applied for a Visit East of England Tourism Award for Ethical Business of the Year.
The Impact of Sustainable Tourism in Norfolk
We’re not alone in our commitment to sustainable tourism. Norfolk, with its stunning natural beauty, is increasingly becoming a hub for eco-conscious travellers seeking Norfolk cottage rentals, Norfolk holiday lettings, and Norfolk vacation homes. Our efforts to create eco-friendly accommodations align with the growing demand for sustainable travel experiences in this beautiful region.
Sustainable tourism has a positive impact on the local environment, economy, and community. By choosing cottage holidays in Norfolk and Norfolk seaside rentals, you’re not only enjoying a memorable holiday but also contributing to the well-being of Norfolk’s ecosystems and communities. Even better if the cottages are actively reducing their carbon emissions and making efforts to encourage wildlife.
Contributing to Winterton-on-sea
Our holiday home business is based in Winterton-On-Sea on the Norfolk Coast and we wanted to contribute to the village and the local community. Since moving here I have served on the parish council and was briefly a school governor. We also spearheaded the campaign to transform the children’s play area, this was a huge village effort raising over £35,000 in total. I now chair the parishes’ newly formed Environment Group. We have also put in a footpath for villagers to use linking the village to the farm safely and a popular circular walking route around the village.
Guest Experiences in Our Green Cottages
The heart of our eco-friendly journey lies in the experiences of our valued guests. We’re proud to provide a unique blend of sustainability and comfort. Our guests appreciate the eco-friendly features and the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature without compromising on luxury. The feedback and enthusiasm we receive from our guests inspire us to keep pushing the boundaries of sustainability in our Norfolk coastal cottages. Recently a guest wrote;
“I chose Mill Farm because of their emphasis on being eco-friendly and was pleased to see how this was implemented. I only wish more holiday homes were like this!
Lindsay
Guest 2023
For those who are interested and looking for tips for their own home, we would be more than happy to take you on a little tour and talk birds or biomass boilers! Meanwhile, I’m working on how I can work with others to improve the eco-footprint of our local area.
Come stay in our Norfolk Seaside Rentals
We’d love you to be part of our eco-friendly journey. Stay at Mill Farm Eco Barns, and experience the beauty of Norfolk in harmony with nature. We’re dedicated to making your holiday not just memorable but also eco-friendly, offering Winterton beach cottages that provide the perfect Norfolk dog-friendly lodgings.
Want to see for yourselves and stay in our Eco-Friendly holiday cottages?
Do you fancy an Eco-friendly barn holiday? You can book with us to stay in one of our Norfolk eco cottages sleeping 2, 4 or 8 here.
