The best eco-friendly hotels in the United Kingdom offer sustainable sanctuaries for every occasion
Sustainable stays for town and country.
From London to Edinburgh, Manchester to the Lake District, we’ve already discovered the best boutique hotels in the UK, but what if you’re looking for sustainable accommodation options? The best eco-friendly hotels in the United Kingdom offer contemporary luxury and services in stunning locations that let you enjoy a memorable holiday without the guilt of leaving behind a heavy carbon footprint.
The best eco-friendly hotels in the United Kingdom
1. The Pig at Combe | Devon
Not just at Combe but across all its properties, The Pig is an inspiration for sustainably running a business. The list of measures that the establishment takes to help the environment continues to grow. Some of its highlights include using recycled glass, paper, and plastic while recycling coffee capsules, menus to make coasters, and plastic soap bottles. Furthermore, the hotels incorporate upcycled furniture in their décor and now have LED lights to reduce electric consumption.
Besides the environmentally conscious, even gourmands staying at The Pig should rejoice. The hotel is quite simply gastronomically blessed. The Pig’s main philosophy centres around food that too mostly grown in-house (it has three kitchen gardens) or at max bought fresh from within 25 miles of its location. Promising tasty delights during every aspect of the stay, the dining options at The Pig help place it among the must-visit eco-friendly hotels in the UK.
The rooms at The Pig heighten the feel-good aura one instantly feels upon reaching the property. Individually styled, they showcase characteristically rustic British interiors that consist of wooden beams, four-poster beds, fireplaces, brick walls, and pretty wallpapers. Although charmingly antique, the rooms aren’t without contemporary luxuries. So, come prepared for in-room pampering thanks to freestanding bathtubs, rain showers, Nespresso machines, and ample space to move around.
Learn more about The Pig at Combe
2. Treehouse Hotel | London
The centrally-located Treehouse Hotel is one of the most happening eco-friendly hotels in the UK, boasting novel interiors that celebrate the playfulness of life. Staying true to its moniker, the hotel takes space at a high vantage point in Langham Place that grants visitors an opportunity to enjoy unmatched panoramas of the iconic city.
Mind you, the views are not the only reason to stay here. The Treehouse’s colourful rooms with a relaxed disposition feature furniture and decorations made using pre-loved materials. Juxtaposing these slightly vintage elements are an array of modern amenities such as bedside USB points, digital newspaper, Nespresso coffee makers, rain showers, and organic bedding.
The proverbial cherry on top of The Treehouse, though, is its culinary offerings. Madera plates organic Mexican fare, while Chef Nancy Silverton’s Pizzeria Mozza is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Want more? There’s also The Nest, the hotel’s rooftop bar, and Backyard, a casual coffee shop on the ground floor.
Find out more about Treehouse Hotel or Book through Booking.com
3. Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa | Malmesbury
Sustainability is not a trend. Those serious about it take instant steps to reduce their environmental impact while making long-term plans to stay eco-friendly. Whatley Manor aims to reach Net Zero energy and supply chain emissions by 2028 and 2035, respectively. And to achieve this goal, they’ve already put practices in action that includes removal of single-use plastic in rooms, recycling initiatives, and working with suppliers that share a common ethos.
Located among the idyllic rolling hills and pastoral beauty of the Cotswolds, Whatley Manor is a traditional residence with a chic and elegant persona. Comfortable, vibrant, and spacious like a quintessential British cottage, its rooms and suites have a welcoming richness with just a touch of contemporary design thrown in for good measure.
Amidst the 12 acres of land that the manor occupies, guests have a chance to enjoy six different beautifully manicured gardens and a wellness centre. We, however, went absolutely gaga over Whatley Manor’s two Michelin starred restaurant The Dining Room. Having recently been awarded the Michelin Green Star, the restaurant is open only for dinner from Thursday to Sunday and serves a delectable tasting menu.
Find out more about Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa or Book through Booking.com
4. The Torridon | Scottish Highlands
A tranquil Scottish escape, The Torridon’s natural surroundings play as much a part in its alluring charm as does the hotel’s inviting character. Nestled amongst 58 acres of stunningly beautiful parkland, there is a continuous flow between the indoors and the outdoors, allowing guests to appreciate the hotel’s many facilities at leisure.
Stay options at The Torridon complement the diverse activities, from hiking and whiskey tasting to stargazing and snorkelling, that one can experience in the region. Guests planning a break at the hotel can choose between well-appointed stylish hotel rooms, sleek and unassuming abodes at The Stables, or the self-catering waterfront Boathouse.
Surrounded by exquisite wildlife, sustainability is second nature at The Torridon. The hotel is among the leading eco-friendly hotels in the UK. In their efforts to lessen their environmental imprint, The Torridon utilises biomass energy, has timer set lighting, free-to-use electric car chargers, water flow regulators, and chemical-free cleaning products. This essence of eco-friendliness is also visible at the hotel’s restaurant and brasserie, where 60% of the ingredients come from Torridon’s farm and kitchen garden.
Find out more about The Torridon or Book through Booking.com
5. Heckfield Place | Hampshire
Regenerative! A word that, unlike sustainability, not just depicts protecting the future of our land but also working towards restoring what we have already lost. It is also a word that the folks at Heckfield Place live by. Among the most influential eco-friendly hotels in the UK, Heckfield is eager to protect the soil that has been instrumental in its survival for the past 250 years. And thus, this gorgeous Victorian residence doesn’t shy away from modern techniques such as motion sensor lighting, rainwater harvesting, and practicing biodynamic agriculture to help preserve its surroundings.
What makes any vacation at Heckfield Place special is the attention to detail one notices everywhere. The accented ceilings and walls, colour tones that shift from pink to dark greys, and antique furniture give every space a unique and interesting personality. Moreover, while plush in appearance, the rooms seem to have a lingering familiarity, making them cozy and homey.
Adding to the exclusivity of Heckfield Place are its dining options. At Marle, guests get to savour seasonal produce from the hotel’s garden. Hearth, on the other hand, gives prominence to age-old cooking methods. At the same time, the Glasshouse is a bright and airy spot for a relaxing afternoon tea.
Learn more about Heckfield Place
6. The Green House | Dorset
A 32-room Victorian residence in Dorset, The Green House is in a league of its own. Among the top eco-friendly hotels in the UK, it is, after all, truly green in every way possible. The hotel has implemented over 100 changes during the past few years, intending to protect the environment without reducing the luxuries its guests adore. So now, they use solar energy, eco beds, wallpapers made with vegetable inks and recycle everything from oil to coffee beans.
For the residents, The Green House is a convenient place to stay. Situated in Bournemouth, the hotel is close to the city’s liveliness and its beaches. The 32 rooms on the property follow The Green House’s conservation philosophy. Made by hand in the UK, using sustainable materials, the furniture in the guestrooms celebrates the very best of British design. Moreover, standalone bathtubs, walk-in showers, LED TVs, king-sized beds, and Bose sound docks keep the abodes in tune with present times.
Meals at The Green House take place at the Arbor. Under the tutelage of chef Andy Hilton, this 2-Rosette winning eatery plates innovative yet humble dishes made with fresh seasonal produce.
Learn more about The Green House or Book through Booking.com
7. The Scarlet | Cornwall
Clifftop living at its dramatic best, The Scarlet is an adults-only retreat with a focus on health, tranquility, and ecology. All the rooms at this end-of-the-world boutique hotel face the sea. Hence, guests not only get to appreciate majestic views of the cliffs and the Atlantic, but can continuously enjoy a gentle sea breeze, be it while lounging on the balcony, field terrace, or in their pod room.
Inside the abodes, comfort comes in the form of designer chairs, functional tables, and plush beds. Sustainability being a key factor, the hotel makes the most of every possibility to save the environment. Consequently, there are no in-room coffee or tea sachets. Instead, you can order a fresh cup whenever you want. There’s also locally made body wash and a small bag to take your leftover organic soap home.
The Scarlet Restaurant, much like the hotel it is in, is about relishing the slow life. The menu changes with the seasons. But the one constant is the measured processing of the ingredients, from slow ageing the meat to unhurriedly growing the vegetables. The Scarlet Restaurant serves breakfast and lunch as well as dinner, at which time you can savour a seven-course tasting menu.
Learn more about The Scarlet or Book through Booking.com
8. Saorsa 1875 | Perthshire, Scotland
This fully plant-based hotel in Scotland is home to just 11 guestrooms and is on a mission to do hospitality differently. Expect fun and colourful wallpaper to contrast the striking facade here, with most furnishings and furniture upcycled.
The menu crafts delights from local and seasonal ingredients and toiletries are also created nearby and dispensed from refillable containers. Even the electricity here is vegan, run by Ecotricity.
Read more about Saorsa 1875
But wait, there’s more…
- Design enthusiasts will want to check out the best boutique hotels in Malaga
- Go sustainable in Asia with these eco-friendly hotels in Thailand
- And visiting England? Take a look at these great London restaurants we adore
