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Sustainable travel is gaining popularity as Brits make more eco-friendly choices in their everyday lives. If this is you, you’re not alone. ‘Sustainable travel’ has 91 million views on TikTok globally as holidaymakers seek inspiration for their next getaway.
If you’re keen to bring down your air miles and enjoy a staycation in a world-class eco property, then read on. We've conducted a thorough analysis and curated a list of the most environmentally friendly getaways in the UK, ensuring you can relax and enjoy your holiday whilst minimising your environmental footprint.
We analysed some of the most eco-friendly properties for hire in the UK and scored each out of 100.
The properties were evaluated against their starting price, total or partial use of renewable energy sources, percentage of 5* Google reviews, inclusion of a compost toilet, and whether they had won a Green Tourism Award.
Eco stays don’t need to break the bank – all properties in our UK analysis cost £100 and under per night.
The top 10 eco stays in the South West
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1. Wilderhus Glamping, Devon
Credit: Host Unusual
This eco-glamping destination provides an entirely off-grid hospitality experience amidst a breathtaking natural environment. The site consists of three unique eco tiny homes designed to encourage a peaceful getaway. Each tiny home has its own Scandinavian-style wood-fired hot tub, inviting guests to unwind and immerse themselves in the surrounding nature. The owners' commitment to sustainability shines through, as they exclusively source all items from ethical producers.
Glamping at one of these eco-homes starts at £69, with specific discounts available to those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
How to get there: Catch the 88 bus from Totnes train station and travel for 40 minutes to Ashburton. From there, it's a short taxi journey to the site.
2. Owl Valley Glamping, Devon
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Joining the list of eco-friendly glamping experiences, Owl Valley is set in a picturesque valley just one mile from Bideford, North Devon. Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, the glampsite is nestled within a secluded nature reserve, surrounded by a tranquil stream and woodland. Tucked away in the woods is their large campfire site, a cosy location for gathering, sharing tales of your adventures, and toasting marshmallows. The remote glamping retreat has various lodging options, including their Short-Eared Tent, Long-Eared Geodome, Barn Owl Cabin, and Tawny Cabin.
For those looking to escape to this picture-perfect destination, a getaway at Owl Valley starts from £80.
How to get there: Catch the 85 bus from Barnstaple station and travel for 20 minutes to Abbotsham Road. Then, catch the 75 bus and travel for around five minutes to Lidl. From there, it’s a short 14-minute walk to the site.
3. Holly Water Holidays, Devon
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Also situated in glorious Devon, Holly Water Holidays serves as a little slice of heaven, with its tranquil wood-fired hot tubs, shepherd’s huts, and its very own take on a treehouse. The site is very proud to hold a Gold Green Tourism Award.
Located on a farm, the area is home to a flock of livestock who help produce the property’s breakfast baskets. Holly Water Holidays is conveniently located near various service providers offering activities like horse riding, golf, fishing, rock climbing, and water sports. North Devon and South Devon’s beaches are reachable within an hour's drive, and guests have a plethora of activities at their disposal.
Prices for this countryside retreat start from £90, offering an exclusive adults-only experience.
How to get there: Catch a train to Exeter St David’s station. From there, it’s a 30-minute taxi journey to the remote site.
4. Kudhva, Cornwall
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Kudhva is nestled atop a hill where the land meets the sea on the North Cornish coast. Visitors can expect to fully immerse themselves in the off-grid site. From preparing meals in the shared kitchen to exchanging stories around the spacious campfire, your visit will be enriched by fellow guests who share similar interests. For the intrepid traveller, the retreat’s breathtaking waterfall, complete with its own climbing wall, remains concealed within the vast expanse of 43 acres of landscape. Kudhva often hosts yoga sessions and wellness retreats to allow guests to relax in the peaceful natural surroundings.
A stay at this Cornish seaside location starts from just £45.60. Kudhva also welcomes external practitioners interested in organising a retreat. Guests can contact them for more information about site rental rates.
How to get there: Catch a train to Bodmin Parkway station. From there, catch the 11 bus and travel for 40 minutes to The Platt. Then, catch the 96 bus and travel for just over an hour to Lugg's Garage. It's then best to book a taxi, or intrepid travellers could enjoy a 30-minute walk to the site.
5. Little Menherion, Cornwall
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Visit this magical glamping spot hidden away in beautiful Cornwall. Little Menherion strives to minimise its environmental footprint. From its eco-friendly practices to the use of renewable sources, sustainability is at the heart of its ethos. Since opening its doors in 2013, Little Menherion has been a sanctuary for peace and relaxation amongst an abundance of wildlife. Guests can choose to glamp at either a romantic log cabin in the woods or an enchanted wooden roundhouse. There’s also plenty to explore by strolling around the winding paths, taking a dip in the wild jacuzzi or foraging the surrounding historical landscapes.
Prices for this adults-only sanctuary start from £125.
How to get there: Catch a train to Redruth station. From there, it’s best to take a taxi for the three remaining miles to the retreat.
The top 10 eco stays in the UK
1. Down on the Farm, Aberdeenshire
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Hidden in the corner of Northeast Scotland, glamping retreat Down on the Farm is the UK’s most eco-friendly stay. This staycation combines a busy working farm with unique accommodation, guided tours, and delectable cream teas, all set against a stunning coastal backdrop. Visitors can get their hands dirty and partake in outdoor adventures and fabulous campfires down on the farm. This retreat has even won a Silver Green Tourism Award – an internationally respected award that recognises and supports eco-friendly achievements in tourism.
Boasting gorgeous beaches and ancient castles nearby, Down on the Farm starts at £65 per night and offers additional rural activities like cliff walks and dolphin spotting.
2. Wild Meadow, Powys
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Tucked away within three acres of meadows and orchards, Wild Meadow is an idyllic spot for relaxation and rejuvenation. With the option to choose between a cosy shepherd’s hut or eco-cottage, it’s no wonder this retreat in the Welsh Borders scored so highly. This destination is the perfect escape as guests can enjoy the surrounding countryside and popular market towns nearby.
The properties are powered exclusively by renewable energy, including their own solar panels. Expect to find compost toilets here, too. Stays at Wild Meadow start from £60.
3. Wilderhus Glamping, Devon
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This idyllic retreat scored so highly that it features again as a top stay in the UK. The perfect spot for stargazing; opt to unwind in their tree house, vintage Airstream, or hand-crafted vintage shepherd’s huts.
4. Wardley Hill Campsite, Norfolk
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Opened in 2014, Wardley Hill Campsite is an award-winning, family-run ecological site in the scenic Waveney Valley, between the Norfolk Broads and Suffolk Coast. The six-acre site offers visitors the chance to camp amongst beautiful wildflowers or relax in one of the two shepherd huts for those seeking a glamping experience. Wardley Hill is dedicated to preserving its fully off-grid charm with no electric hook ups or numbered pitches, enabling guests to disconnect entirely from their bustling routines.
Prices to set up camp at this peaceful site start from £52.50. Those with campervans and vehicles with rooftop tents are also welcome to stay in a dedicated area.
5. Owl Valley Glamping, Devon
Credit: Host Unusual
Owl Valley glampsite features once more as one of the best eco-stays in the UK.
Feeling inspired to book a tranquil, eco-friendly stay? Save on travel expenses by booking train tickets ahead of time, and use GroupSave for up to 34% off tickets if you’re travelling with family and friends.
If you’d like to check out more staycations, discover the top 7 South West staycation destinations. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to roll up your sleeves and immerse yourself in farm life, learn about the best farm stays in the South West.
Methodology:
To find the best eco stays across the UK, we collated a seed list of eco properties for hire from Host Unusual’s eco stays page.
We analysed these against metrics including the starting price per night, if there’s a compost toilet, if it’s powered by renewable energy sources (wind, solar etc.), if it has won a Green Tourism Award, and the percentage of 5* Google reviews.
These metrics were put in a weighted rank to generate a score out of 100 for each property.
| Ranking factor |
Weight |
| Starting rice |
10% |
| Compost toilet |
25% |
| Partial or total renewable energy us (heat pump, solar panel, wind etc.) |
25% |
| Green Tourism Award (bronze 1, silver 2, gold 3) |
15% |
| Percentage of 5* reviews |
15% |
Green Tourism Award: One point was awarded for a bronze title, two for a silver and three points for a gold title.
Note: Not all properties can be hired for only one night as some require a two/three minimum night stay.
Note: Renewable energy use may vary across sites that have multiple properties on offer.
