Brackenrigg House & Brackenrigg Barn are beautiful places in a stunning location and we recognise our responsibility to operate all aspects of our businesses in an environmentally responsible manner.
Brackenrigg Barn cottages and Brackenrigg House have both achieved a Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme, and piloted the new Biodiversity Award sponsored by Natural England.
This is what’s been achieved so far
- Brackenrigg House and Brackenrigg Barn cottages can recycle glass, paper, cardboard, metals, plastic and compost kitchen vegetable matter.
- Both properties strive constantly to reduce and eventually eliminate single use plastic. eg refill all plastic containers (washing up liquid, cleaning products etc) rather than throw them away, use biodegradable bin liners.
- Environmentally-friendly cleaning & laundry products are used
- Low energy light bulbs and other energy saving devices are used where appropriate. Both Brackenrigg Barn & Brackenrigg House buy Green electricity.
- Brackenrigg Barn cottages & Brackenrigg House have loft insulation, and are double-glazing.
- Heating is monitored to ensure plentiful warmth & comfort without waste. Central heating has been replaced in Brackenrigg House with a modern system with thermostatically controlled valves.
- Brackenrigg House has two wood burning stoves and provide unlimited free logs.
- Appliances are replaced with new rated A or B.
- Brackenrigg House has funded planting of 500 willow trees to provide fuel and as a major carbon off-set.
- Brackenrigg Barn planted 3000 new native trees in the meadow, and have started a coppicing programme for the hazel coppice in the woodland.
- In 2021, Brackenrigg Barn planted a further 1500 native trees and developing the meadow with a wetland ‘scrape’ to encourage wildlife
- Also in 2021, we have developed a new wildlife -scrape’ this is a hollowed area in the meadow which accumulates water – a natural wetland/pond area. We are encouraging wildlife, and natural planting. Check out our blog for the latest developments.
- We have sown Yellow Rattle seed across the tennis court lawn to prepare it for developing a wild flower meadow there, and similar across the wetland for bog loving plants.
- For those who wish to minimise car use, you can bring your bikes or hire bikes in Keswick. Bus routes & timetables are available online and, of course, wonderful walks straight from the door.
- There are bird nesting boxes and feeders for both the birds and red squirrels. In this sensitive area it is also important to monitor carefully for encroachment by grey squirrels.
- Water for both Brackenrigg House and Brackenrigg Barn cottages comes from a stream high on the fell, collected and treated ourselves without use of chemicals (we use filters and UV light). Water used for the garden is drawn off prior to treatment. Bathrooms have dual flush cisterns.
What can you do?
You may want to be a sustainable guest, so here are a few suggestions. We leave this up to your own conscience & beliefs.
- Walk from the door or make use of the local bus services. You can even get here by public transport.
- Give us all your compostable kitchen waste for the garden. Use our extensive recycling facilities.
- Reduce your thermostats to save oil and AAL (Add Another Layer). Only boil as much water as you need in your kettle. Have a quick shower instead of a bath.
- Use full loads in dishwashers and washing machines and use economy cycles.
- Use airers (we dont provide driers). Turn off appliances and lights when not in use.
- Patronise locally owned shops and attractions, buy locally produced foods and fair-trade goods