As lockdown measures start to finally lift and normality begins to return, many of us are looking forward to the prospect of a summer holiday in 2021. Jetting abroad, while tempting, is still uncertain for the foreseeable future and Google searches for “UK staycations” have rocketed in popularity over the last few months.Not only is a UK staycation the most COVID safe option for this year, but holidaying in this country also drastically reduces your carbon footprint and the impact on the environment.From treetop hideaways to luxury lodges, we’ve created the leaderboard for the best eco-friendly staycations the UK has to offer for 2021.Each resort that has made it into the top six leaderboard was ranked from 1-5 on a range of factors (renewable energy, waste disposal, eco-friendly construction, recycling efforts, location and luxury). All data was sourced from their individual websites and sustainability statements with additional third- party data sourced from Booking.com and TripAdvisor.com for public opinion on the luxury factor criteria.
Camp Katur Domes, North Yorkshire
Holidays can often be a chance to switch off and escape from everyday life, and Camp Katur certainly offers an off-grid experience. Katur is Icelandic for happiness, and the yurts and domes are designed to embrace Nordic living, which means no tech, no wifi, and embracing mother nature.Located in the gateway of the Yorkshire moors, you’ll glamp like no other at this unique and wild venue. The geodomes are created from recycled materials, with a wood-fired hot tub and outdoor seating allowing you to stargaze on clear nights.While some of the eco-retreats have shared bathroom facilities – it’s still camping after all – the eco-domes boast their own composting bathroom facilities.During your stay, you can also book to take part in activities that encourage an off-grid lifestyle, such as bushcraft and wild cooking, teaching you eco-friendly skills to take back home with you!While the charm of Camp Katur is its off-grid nature, if you need to return to civilization during your stay, the nearest large town to Camp Katur is Dishforth. Find out more about staying at Camp Katur.
Treehouse Hideaway at Chewton Glen – Hampshire
Chewton Glen describes their luxury hideaway as ‘playful, private and perfectly designed’ so if you’re feeling indulgent, this is the holiday for you. What makes the property unique is that it’s suspended thirty-five above ground level and surrounded by the tranquillity of the New Forest. The treehouses are designed to blend into their environment and run entirely from renewables, with solar panels used as the energy source. The lodge also harvests rainwater to be used throughout the resort.You can expect locally sourced produce to form your meals, to reduce your carbon footprint. You can learn more about the Treehouse hideaway here. For transport links, Chewton Glen is in easy reach of Christchurch, Bournemouth and Southampton.
Y Goeden Eirin, Dolydd, Gwynedd
You can expect a warm Welsh welcome when you arrive here, no matter what time of year you choose to visit. The quaint B&B offers a rustic resting place after a few days of exploring the Welsh countryside. Located in a small hamlet called Dolydd, the lodgings were originally a stone cowshed but was renovated as an eco-friendly home in the early 2000s. The cosy and well-insulated cottage uses solar panels to power the lodgings, with rainwater collected and all waste composted or recycled where possible.For EV users, there’s also an on-site charging point for guests to access.When arriving by car, your nearest town is Caernarfon. Plan your visit here.
Berts Box, The Pig at Brockenhurst, Hampshire
If the cute name isn’t enough to tempt you, its green credentials sure will be. Nestled inside the Pig Hotel in the New Forest, Bert’s Box is a cosy cabin, perfect for couples to enjoy a unique hideaway.From the outside, it looks like a regular holiday cabin, but there’s a surprising amount of space to make yourself at home in. Designed to be as green and sustainable as possible, Bert’s Box comes with a wood-burning stove, a floor of reclaimed timber and aluminium windows and doors. The nearby hotel also serves locally sourced food if you don’t feel like cooking, or the cabin is equipped with its own kitchen.For rail links, the nearest city is Southampton. Find out more about Bert’s Box here.
Treetops Treehouse, Devon
Ever wanted to relive a childhood memory but with all the creature comforts you need from a holiday spot? Look no further than Treetops Treehouse. A cosy two-bedroom treehouse nestled within the branches of a 200-year old oak tree. But this is no ordinary treehouse. Expertly kitted out to ensure the outside is brought into you, you can enjoy a king-sized bed, wood burner and copper bathtub.The house has also been furnished using oak rescued from the tree itself. It’s also nestled in the grounds of a country hotel, so if the call of the wild isn’t for you, you can retreat to the safety of the main hotel.The nearest train station is in Eggesford, just 250m from the resort, or Barnstaple is a short drive away.
Watergate Lodge, Watergate Bay, Cornwall
If you fancy a beach holiday this year but want to ensure you nab a sustainable option, try Watergate Lodge.Opening to guests for the first time in 2021, the accommodation can house up to 12 guests across five bedrooms. The stylish interior and large roof terrace featuring a sunken fire pit are sure to appeal to guests of all ages. Not only is it just 400 metres from the beach, but it’s also solar-powered with air-source heating and an eco-friendly ventilation system. The resort is a short drive from Newquay. Book your stay for the summer here.