The Travelling Post Office, Cornwall, England

How does the Travelling Post Office minimise its impact on the environment and contribute to a sense of place?

All of the energy used for powering the converted railway carriages come from the Good Energy green electricity scheme, while the Railholiday office is heated in hamemade stoves using wood cut from their own woodland. Also, light fittings use low-energy bulbs wherever possible.A pump has been installed in the site's own well, with the grey water being used for the toilets and garden taps, plus there are water-saving devices in the toilets, the showers are designed to save water, and cleaning products and washing powders are environmentally friendly wherever possible.

There's a comprehensive recycling scheme, plus a compost bin in each carriage garden for guests, plus a larger bin for Railholiday garden waste. Liquid is decanted from the hopper to feed the garden and the compost is used as mulch. In terms of local food, guests receive a package of complimentary Cornish products including biscuits, apple juice, milk and beer, plus all other products are ordered from the local village stall. If you arrive by foot, bike or public transport, you'll get £25 cashback, and there's lots of information on train and bus services once you've arrived so you'll know how make as little an impact as possible on this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You'll also be able to wander 10 acres of woodland, as well as the owners parents' 20 acre orchard and wildlife sanctuary.