The Old Kennels

Environmental Policy

It is our aim to create as little detrimental impact on our environment as possible.

we appreciate public transport is limited and walking or cycling here is possibly beyond the realms of pracitallity for most, but if you are coming to a class with friends, please try and car share.

When you stay or take a class here, you will see that we compost and recycle keenly, use 'green' cleaning products, and do our best to shop ethically and locally. We embrace organic prinicipals with our animals and on our land.

Our large glass roofed garden room works well to passively heat our house, teamed with woodfuel, solar panels and an automated woodpellet boiler to heat our well water. A woodpellet boiler heats the studio and loft
(for pellet boilers see woodenergy ltd). All other energy purchased is from renewable sources. grey water is saved for garden use and dirty water is treated (without the use of chemicals) and returned to a nearby water course as clean water.

Our printing is all on recycled paper or chlorine free paper made from pulp from sustainable forests.  All inks and toners used are made from vegetable based oils or recycled.

We home grow our fruit and vegetables and buy what we cant grow locally wherever possible. the Blackdown Hills have many excellent farm shops, box schemes and farm outlets nearby, if you are coming from Taunton or Wellington, do try Wallaces Farm Shop near the Monument for a wonderful range of local produce (they do a nice line in cakes and quiches if you dont have time to make something for lunch!). We also have a super freerange egg farm on the road to Hemyock and Connetts Farm in Dunkeswell grow the absolutely best pumpkins and Christmas trees. For more information on produce from the hills see the Blackdown Hills Food Directory and www.blackdownhillsfoods.co.uk .

 

OUR RESPONSIBLE VISITORS CODE

10 tips toward being a responsible visitor to
The Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Simply use less. Less of everything. If you DO have to use it, see if you can then RE-use it. And, if you can't, and there's no more use for it, don't bin it, recycle it.

Bags
Please say no to plastic bags! You will find that many shops in the Blackdowns will only give you a plastic bag if you ask for it and even pay for it.  Why not buy or make a lovely cotton, jute, rush or willow basket and enjoy using it to shop with – plastic bags are harmful to our environment and quite simply wasteful.

Get a breath of fresh air
We are surrounded by beautiful views, rolling hills and woodlands, these are best enjoyed by bike, on horseback or by foot. The AONB has produced a series of walks leaflets available from the AONB office (copies in our guest information folder). If you would like to walk to the pub for your evening meal we are always pleased to come and collect you after dark!

Keep it local
There are several local farm shops, village stores and post offices in the locality. Spending your money with local businesses helps our local economy.  While you're here and look out for local produce and farmers markets, galleries, craft fairs and open studio events. Most of our local pubs serve locally produced food  and drinks and we have a strong Blackdown Hills food producers group – see http://www.blackdownhillsfoods.co.uk/ for more information.

The sky at night
Everyone who visits is amazed by the number of stars you can see from the hills – that’s because we have very little light pollution. So turn off lights and keep the sky bright. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, ask yourself whether that light or standby button needs to be on. (You'll be doing yourself a favour by switching things off, as well as cutting down on carbon emissions.)

Water
People who stay here often remark on our icy cold, crystal clear well water – please remember that this is a private supply and is pumped to the house. Please use just what you need. We ask you to leave in the bath the towels that need a wash, to help save on water, power and detergent.

Getting here
We are pleased to help co-ordinate lift-share to classes, or if you are staying with us, do away with the stress while going as green, and travel by train, we can collect you from the station if you arrive the evening before.

Minimise waste
Every excess item you consume has an added cost to the environment – which is our biggest asset and most people’s main reason to visit. Try and avoid buying too much unnecessary food packaging, we truly appreciate minimally packaged lunch contributions on class days!
Support our local causes
Look out for local events and walks organised through the Blackdown AONB office http://www.blackdown-hills.net/calendar.htm

Wombling free
Be responsible for your impact; leave behind what you find, but nothing else. Please help us preserve the local flora and fauna’s natural ecosystems for everyone to enjoy.

 

We are proud to be rated as gold standard by the
Green Tourism Business Scheme

Click here for wwoof-ing opportunities
at the old kennels