Wheatland Farm Eco Lodges and Cottage, Devon, England

Stay in one of three secluded wooden lodges overlooking a Devon meadow. In summer it’s alive with butterflies and flowers. In winter ghostly barn owls hunt here at dusk. Or choose stone-built Otter Cottage by the fishing pond (watch out for the kingfisher) and light the woodburner for a cosy evening in.

Your stay supports the management of our nationally-recognised nature reserve – home to rare dormice, owls, orchids and 190 other plants – and we’re always delighted if we can give you a tour. Our ethos at Wheatland Farm is comfort and sustainability – from the excellent insulation keeping you warm to our 100% renewable energy (wind turbine and green grid backup), food waste biodigesters and extensive recycling. Arrive without a car and we’ll collect you free from the station or bus. You can borrow free bikes (kids and adult sizes) and cycle to our neighbour’s farm shop, the village (with its friendly thatched pub and well-serviced bus stop), or lovely local walks. Or just spend time at the farm fishing the pond, playing volley ball on the mown court, exploring our 21 acres or sitting on your veranda with a book while the buzzards call above you.

Children, even the youngest, revel in the space and freedom – it’s what childhood is meant to be. Grown-ups appreciate our genuine welcome, the peace, and our fabulous surroundings. We’re open all year for family holidays or short breaks whether you need to switch off completely, or stay in touch with our free WiFi. From Wheatland Farm you can explore North Devon’s UNESCO biosphere reserve by car or bus, and northern Dartmoor is just a short drive away. Well-behaved dogs welcomed. We hold gold awards from the Green Tourism Business Scheme and the Devon Wildlife Trust accreditation scheme and won Low Carbon Business in the Devon Environmental Business Initiative awards 2011. We were Gold winners for sustainable tourism in the 2011 Devon Tourism Awards (and Silver in 2010) and we're finalists in the 2011 South West Tourism Excellence awards (to be announced Feb 2012).

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

Wheatland Farm has implemented a wide range of green measures to reduce its draw on natural resources and contribute positively to its surrounding environment. The lodges use 75% less than the UK average household per occupied night, and the cottage uses 50% less. They are on 100% green tariff electricity, have solar hot water, excellent insulation, and A or A+ rated appliances. A full year of monitoring confirmed that guests have helped the Farm keep close to 80% of waste out of landfill. Glass, metals, plastics, cardboard and waxed cartons are all recycled. All food waste is put in biodigesters. Things no longer needed are offered on Freecycle, and they buy recycled products or, where quality permits, second hand items to reduce waste. To minimise draw on water resources, they have enough water butts for all outside needs including watering the gardens. Also, basins have restricted flows and toilets have reduced flushes. Water usage is monitored and highly biodegradable cleaning products are used.

Wheatland Farm supports the local community in many ways, such as suggesting the neighbouring farm shop to guests, as well as the village pub, which has excellent local food. Reconditioned bikes are free for guests to borrow. The owners activity encourage arrival by public transport, and are happy to collect and return car-free guests to the station or bus free of charge to lessen car miles to reduce traffic emissions and congestion. A wide range of car-free days out in the area have been well researched for guests’ enjoyment. Staying at Wheatland Farm helps the finance management of Popehouse Moor, a nationally-recognised nature reserve, as well as the owners’ efforts to protect and enhance wildlife across the rest of the farm.