SELF CATERING

If you want to go self-catering the lowest impact is probably to arrange a house swap. That way you are not taking up a house, which could be used by a family. At this time of major shortages of affordable homes, while many houses stand empty or unused much of the time, this is an important consideration.

If you arrange a house swap you can choose a family similar to your own and have the facilities you need. Of course then your holiday is only as low-impact as you and your house-swap partner care to make it.

You can do this through friends and acquaintances or through companies which arrange and advertise numbers of homes.

Some of them include
www.travel-quest.co.uk/blue/bd-house-exchange.htm
www.homelink.org.uk
www.homebase-hols.com

Southwaite Green, near Cockermouth
A small group of self-catering flats, which is only very recently opened. It has been purpose-built as a green place to stay, incorporating many green technologies including high levels of insulation, a ground source heat pump and rainwater harvesting. Nevertheless it retains the look of a traditional farm. It also has extensive grounds and over 2000 newly planted trees of various native species and is a haven for birds and wildlife including a family of very tame hares.
Website: www.southwaitegreen.co.uk

Bankend Cottage, Kirkland, Ennerdale
This historic cottage was built in the 17th century and incorporates a stone spiral staircase. There is a ground source heat pump to provide the under-floor heating and a wind turbine to provide electricity to the cottage and adjoining farmhouse. Both have been in operation since 2005. For extra heat there is a wood-burning stove. There is an organic vegetable and fruit garden and seasonal produce is made available to guests.
See www.bankendcottage.co.uk for more details.

Parkergate
Set with stunning views over Bassenthwaite Lake there are five cottages on this former farm. From the environs there are good views of the Wharrels Hill wind farm. Each cottage has a copy of their 12 point green statement and invites comments and suggestions for improvement. The owners use a renewable energy electricity supplier, have energy efficiency measures in place including energy saving plugs on fridges and encourage all their guests to use electricity carefully. They do not use chemical cleaning products or garden chemicals and recycle, re-use and use recycled paper products for stationery etc.
See www.parkergate.co.uk for booking details.

Blencathra Field Studies Centre, Keswick
Holders of the gold accreditation from the Green Tourism Business Scheme (www.green-business.co.uk), which they claim to have found relatively straightforward because their background is in providing environmental education for groups, and they readily admit that not everyone would find it easy. As well as the accommodation for groups there are two cottages.

The centre has adopted an environmental policy and has committed itself to a 5% year on year carbon reduction, which it has successfully pursued since 2005. It supports a project with the Tourism and Conservation Partnership to raise funds for footpath repair on Blencathra. For every £1 raised at Blencathra an extra £2 can be drawn from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support the Lake District National Park Authority, the National Trust and Natural England on the route leading up onto Blencathra.

The centre promotes healthy eating and living to all visitors. Since 2005 the soft drinks machine has been removed, and the use of bottled water is discouraged, as they have their own water source, thus avoiding plastic bottle waste. Links have been strengthened with the Keswick Fairtrade Association, and the centre actively encourages suppliers to consider ethical purchasing and support local suppliers. Crisps were removed from the packed lunch and only Fairtrade and healthier options are available in the shop. A staff kitchen garden has been established.

Visiting groups have worked on conservation tasks in the grounds, local community and Whinlatter Forest as component of the John Muir Award and in 2007 this culminated in the creation of an Ecogarden involving local schools. There is a strong expectation that all visitors will support the Eco-centre philosophy of the centre.
www.field-studies-council.org/blencathra/location.aspx

Youth Hostels
Already low impact places to stay several of the Youth Hostels in the West of the County have their own renewable energy generating scheme. Ennerdale and Derwentwater have small scale hydro-electric schemes and the remote Black Sail YH near Ennerdale has a small wind turbine, and the Keswick YH has a bronze award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme (as above). See www.yha.org.uk/find-accommodation/the-lake-district for booking details.