Manor Bottom, Isle of Wight, England

How does Manor Bottom minimise its impact on the environment and contribute to a sense of place?

The wood burning stove runs on firewood from the owners' own timber. All light bulbs are energy-saving, and all appliances are A-rated. Recycling and compost bins are supplied for guests’ use, and large bottles of toiletries are used to cut down on packaging. Environmentally friendly cleaning products are used throughout the property. The interior of the barn has traditional, lime-washed walls throughout. Water consumption is reduced through the use of rainwater harvesting, and the garden (which is completely organic) is planted with drought-tolerant plants to minimise water usage.

The owners have planted new hedgerows and trees in the surrounding fields, with a further 500 trees being planted this winter. Guests are advised on where to buy locally produced food, including garlic, asparagus, cheese, beer, wine, pickles, juice, ice cream and freshly-caught fish and seafood. The area is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty adjoining National Trust land, and the owners can provide lots of information on arriving by bike or public transport; secure storage is provided for those arriving on two wheels. They can also advise on the best walks in the area: there are plenty of books and an enormous Ordnance Survey map on the wall in the kitchen if you want to plot your own route. Off-road walks and bike rides start from the door.