Organic Places To Stay – UK & Ireland
by Linda Moss
Travellers plan their itinerary around golf courses, national parks and landmarks, so why not purveyors of organic fare?
The author set about putting an organic accommodation guide together after finding that no such beast existed in the UK. What began as an online exercise has now spawned the third edition of a book packed with almost 500 options, including at least 170 new ones.
A long-term “organic vegetable box coordinator”, Linda clearly has a passion for all things organic. She has scoured the length and breadth of the land for small hotels and B&Bs that offer some or all organic fare.
The listings also include self-catering accommodation – colour-coded brown to differentiate from the “green” hotels and B&Bs – from which guests can access organic fare nearby.
Like many guides, it is divided into regions and includes a brief description of the type of accommodation, as well as short-cut symbols to the services on offer, such as whether or not it is suitable for children or dogs.
Unlike most guides, however, half of the symbols refer to organic categories, such as “meals containing organic produce available on site”; “meals containing organic produce available within five miles” and “organic produce available on site”; and “organic produce available within five mlles”.
So if you prefer a self-catered holiday to keep down costs, you could opt for the Coach House at Bashall Eaves, set on “an organic and conservation-minded hill farm in the idyllic and relaxing environment of the Forest of Bowland”. There you can enjoy a Lancashire breakfast hamper of organic and local produce, as well as home-produced organic beef and “pick your own” organic vegetables. Sounds heavenly.
To the manor born: Nash Manor is just one of hundreds of holiday options with an organic bent.
On the other hand, if you’d rather be waited on hand and foot – and let’s face it, we all want that some time – you might prefer to head to Steyning in Sussex where Nash Manor offers beautiful rooms on eight acres, and promises to deliver at least 75 percent organic fare. You will also be served fresh herbs and vegies from their own gardens and eggs from their chickens. This family-run business says they are “committed to protecting the environment in whatever way we can and have achieved the Gold Award with the Green Tourism Business Scheme”. Sound tempting?
Regardless of your holiday preference – and camping is also amply covered for those who like to “rough it” (count me out) – there is a veritable feast inside in this book. Who would have thought there would be so many options? Start planning your organic getaway now…
