Self catering accommodation nr Malvern, England

Self catering accommodation nr Malvern, England

How this holiday makes a difference

The house is an eco building using photo-voltaic panels for its heating/electricity supported by passive solar features and high insulation values. Green oak is a low ‘embedded’ energy building material and we have only used mineral paints on the walls and plant oils on the wood and recycled glass tiles are in bathroom. There are no electric gadgets such as microwave, dryer or TV, but a wind-up radio and rechargeable ‘candles’.

There are various forms of low energy lighting (LED, fluorescent). The Studio has a cork floor, simple wooden furniture, and good insulation. Local craftsmen built the house and our local workforce (cleaner and gardeners) are paid well above minimum wage. We offer organic bedlinen and mattresses and 50% of beds are made from recycled wood or made by English workshops from sustainable timber.

We provide Fairtrade textiles, bedcovers and quilts and recycled bed linen and other things (Oxfam etc). Local artists’ ceramics, textiles and pictures decorate, with occasional exhibitions down at the farm. We use organic (approximately 80%) and/or local food, Fair trade tea and coffee and other supplies, and ecological cleaning materials and washing products. In fact we do all our own laundry using minimal washing liquid (using wash balls) and dry washing out of doors or over the aga! We also recycle glass, paper, foil, garden waste, clothing and textiles. A local/organic food box is provided for each stay.

We garden organically and promote wildlife in our garden. We farm sustainably and are committed to benefiting the environment through our involvement in several environmental schemes. We educate the public by holding farm walks and garden open days. For our guests, we provide practical suggestions & files of information about green issues. We provide bicycles and give lifts to/from the train station. Here we promote peace and quiet as a desirable way to enjoy the countryside as well as to benefit our guests.

Self catering accommodation nr Malvern, England

Reviewed 02 Nov 2009 by Samantha Barratt

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Staying in such a beautiful house- seeing sustainability in action.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Don't worry about being cold- it is very cosy inside. Get out into the countryside, it is lovely for walking or cycling and there are lots of maps and walk sheets provided. Climb to the summit of Worcestershire Beacon, it isn't far but the views are stunning.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

We didn't use the local shop, and the local pub was closed unfortunately, so no great benefit to the local people. It would be hard to visit the house without car, maybe if it was set up with secure cycle storage it could be done.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Very relaxing and enjoyable. The house was in a peaceful location, really felt like we had got far away for the weekend. The big open plan kitchen and the lounge was perfect for a group of eight.

Read the operator's response here:

Good to know you enjoyed your holiday and appreciated the house. I'd just like to say that there is indeed secure cycle storage in the garage at the Lighthouse, and that there are several alternative local pubs not more than 3 miles away. Local people are benefitted by Samantha's holiday in other ways also, such as local cleaners and gardeners, and local shops used for supplies for equipping the house. We are only three miles from a railway station, so that can also sometimes be used to reduce the number of cars visiting.

Reviewed 24 Mar 2009 by Helena Posnett

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Reading my book with the early morning light streaming in through the glass walls of the house, great hill walking, pub lunches at the Malvern Hills Hotel, and the peaceful town of Ledbury. And the weather couldn't have been better!

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Get detailed instructions to the house, particularly if you're arriving after dark as there is minimal telephone reception.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes. The house was designed on sustainable principles, from the solar panels to the fair trade linen. Ella directed us to shop in the local town and towards a local pub.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

A wonderful haven; a peaceful escape from London.

Reviewed 07 May 2008 by michael thomas

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The highlight of our cycling trip around Malvern was stumbling across a vital promotion decider in Herefordshire's Division 3, on the last day of the football season and watching Bosbury Utd clinch prommotion and spray champagne over a crowd almost in three figures.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Take good friends, scrabble, bicycles and wine.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Not as much as we would like - it's difficult to get people to organise train travel sufficiently far in advance to make it affordable and, inevitably, people end up driving.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Absolutely brilliant - refreshing, hilarious and exhausting.

Reviewed 24 Jan 2008 by Kathryn Fairhurst

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The whole ethos of the house and its setting made this into an unforgettable weekend. Sitting by the enormous window/doors in the early morning watching the sunrise over the Malverns was remarkable; so was watching a nearby woodpecker in the orchard, while breakfasting; and nightime gathered around the woodburner was equally special!

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Allow yourself plenty of "unorganised time” to soak up the atmosphere.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Very exciting design of house with its solar heating and innovative use of glazing. How I would love to be there in the warmer weather to "open up" the South side.
Well thought out details in use of eco products throughout. The organic bedding was SO comfortable! The butcher and baker at nearby Colwall provided wonderful birthday food! Local Skylark Organics delivered top quality fruit and veg. Malvern brewery delivered good beer.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

A perfect weekend. A birthday celebration I shan't forget.