Green Tourism Award for Battlesteads Hotel

ipa member Battlesteads is a four star 18th century inn and restaurant located in the heart of the Northumbrian countryside.

Owners Richard and Dee Slade took over in 2005 and had the environment firmly in mind when they embarked on the hotel's redevelopment. Their first eco-friendly move was to switch to low-energy light bulbs, which achieved an incredible saving - they now light the entire hotel using the same amount of power previously used for just the bar and lounge areas.

"This proved that we could make major efficiencies without compromising the comfort of our guests, leading us to look at the nationally recognised Green Tourism Business Scheme", says Richard. "Using their guidelines we have instigated a 'Green' policy aiming to minimise the environmental impact of the hotel and its guests."
 
Battlesteads is the first hotel in Northumberland to be powered by a biomass boiler. The innovative boiler provides heating and hot water for the entire hotel by burning wood chippings supplied from nearby forestry – a completely sustainable fuel – supplemented by solar panels to reduce fuel use during summer months. Of the various green options for providing heating, woodchip proved to be the most acceptable and most efficient. Having abundant fuel right on their doorstep made woodchip the obvious choice.

Their hard work has resulted in a Gold Award after only 6 months in the scheme. The Green Tourism Business Scheme is the leading sustainable tourism certification scheme in the UK. Each business is assessed every 2 years against rigorous criteria, covering areas such as energy and water efficiency, waste minimisation and recycling.
 
But the Slades' interest in green issues and sustainability doesn't end there. "We can't stop now that we've got an award", says Richard. "Once the green bug gets you, you find more and more things to include. Our commitment to environmental improvements is ongoing and will alter as new products and methods become available.
 
Battlesteads Hotel, Wark on Tyne, Hexham, Northumberland
Tel: 01434 230 209
info@battlesteads.com

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