This Friday, 22nd April is World Earth Day; an annual day of celebration and reflection on how we impact the planet through our consumption, travels and habits. With travel on the rise again post-pandemic we’ve created a guide of some of the UK’s best luxury hotels for their ‘green credentials’; welcoming local wildlife, reducing waste and introducing regenerative practices to name a few.

1.LYMPSTONE MANOR

Lympstone Manor is situated on a 28-acre estate in the heart of Devon on the foreshore of the tranquil Exe Estuary. The hotel has 21 individually designed bedrooms and suites, six woodland setting Shepherds Huts, a tennis court, vineyard, and outdoor pool. A hive of biodiversity, each area of Lympstone Manor has been sympathetically restored or reinstated to help bring the grounds and mansion back to its former glory. In partnership with Coastal Recycling, the team at Lympstone implement a recycling and composting centre, ensuring minimal waste for landfill or the Aerobic Digester. Plant species on the estate have been chosen to encourage pollinators and this is matched by the meadow sites which have wildflowers for the bees and butterflies (the hotel has its own beehives which produce honey for guests). Nothing goes to waste on the estate, wood from damaged or fallen trees is reused to create seating or paths and kitchen waste and trimmings are recycled to fortify stocks. Working with the Devon Wildlife Trust, Lympstone Manor also help to monitor the ever-changing population of the Exe estuary, ensuring a hospitable environment for several key bird species, including Avocet, Merlin and Red Shank, that flock to the bountiful area to feed.

Nightly rates in the main house at Lympstone Manor available from £360 per night including breakfast and based on two sharing 

Credit Steven Brownhill

2.SOUTH LODGE HOTEL & SPA

South Lodge is a quintessential West Sussex Country escape and, as part of the Exclusive Collection, proudly became the UK’s first hotel group to become a B-Corp in 2021. Housed in a sleek, modern building curved into the natural contours of the (93 acre) grounds South Lodge was designed with sustainability in mind. The Spa complements the landscape, featuring the UK’s first wild swimming pool which uses no chlorine or chemicals but oxygenates plants to clean the water making it wildlife and environmentally friendly. Botanica is the spa’s Mediterranean inspired restaurant where head chef Jonathan Spiers draws on the South Downs as a larder for fresh and seasonal ingredients. Although not totally vegetarian, the menu features a plethora of plant-based plates including our standout dish, the undeniably delicious Wasted Burger, made entirely from the pulp from the freshly prepared morning’s juices.

Rates at South Lodge start from £285 per night on a B&B basis 

3.THE TAWNY HOTEL

Set within the 70-acre grounds of the wonderfully restored wild garden of Consall Hall Estate in Staffordshire, The Tawny Hotel opened in July 2021. Comprising 55 idyllic Shepherds Huts, Treehouses, Boathouses, Retreats and the Lookout – each space is designed to emulate the natural surroundings. The Plumicorn Restaurant offers a menu that speaks of Staffordshire and the Peak District, utilising quality local ingredients sourced from the hotel’s own kitchen garden as well as the neighbouring area. Eco-friendliness was at the forefront of The Tawny from the very start. Materials used to build accommodation were carefully considered, based on their environmental impact. There is also no floodlighting or ‘street’ lighting of the landscape. The hotel also provides eco-baths and ‘pinning’ structures into the ground to prevent tree-root damage. Activities include bird spotting and stargazing. Recycled bikes are also available.

Rates at The Tawny start from £230 in the Wildwood Huts, £360 in the Lookout, £400 in the Boathouses, £420 in the Treehouses based on two sharing and inclusive of breakfast.

4.THE WESTMINSTER, LONDON

The Westminster is the first central London Hotel to house an electric scooter point on their property. In partnership with Lime Scooters, the hotel provides the perfect base to roam central London. With an abundance of charging points dotted around the city, guests have the flexibility of hopping on and hopping off their scooters to see the sights, without polluting in their wake. Located in the heart of historic London, The Westminster hotel is surrounded by some of the capital’s most alluring landmarks. The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey are just a stroll away, in the area known for some of the world’s most legendary authors and political figures. Looking to capitalise on their unique position, The team have even designed an interactive map for inquisitive guests to plan their day out in the city. Choose from 464 uniquely designed rooms and suites across eight categories, with all rooms featuring separate bedroom and dressing areas. Striking wall prints, floor to ceiling windows, textured furnishings and mood lighting take centre stage.

Exploration rates: Nightly room rates start from £165 + Lime Bike hire £1 unlock fee and £0.15 per minute

Photo credit: Matthew Shaw 

5.THE SCARLET HOTEL

For those in search of serenity and sustainability this World Earth Day, Scarlet hotel in Cornwall is built to the highest eco-standards. Perched on the clifftops looking out over the golden sands of Mawgan Porth in North Cornwall.  Weaving environmental technologies into the building’s core design, the hotel boasts careful energy usage, new eco-technologies and electric car charging services to help every guest contribute to a positive climate impact. The hotel encourage guests to support local groups such as Surfers Against Sewage, a grassroots environmental group that fights to protect the coastline or Coast: One Planet Tourism Network, a Cornish social enterprise that promotes sustainable tourism.  The roof is lined with sea thrift, providing native plants for local insects and repurposed wooden posts that were once coastal erosion barriers now frame the hotel gardens.  Scarlet opts for cooling sea breeze instead of artificial air conditioning and shuns chemicals for the use of reeds and algae to cleanse the outdoor pool.

Rates at The Scarlet start from £245 on a B&B basis