Wheatland Farm, Devon wins Visit England Sustainable Tourism Award

The Beech lodge at Wheatland Farm, overlooking the wildlife meadow.Congratulations to Greentraveller member, Wheatland Farm, Devon, which last night won the Sustainable Tourism Gold Award in the nationwide Visit England Awards.

Wheatland Farm, which has three secluded self-catering wooden lodges overlooking a Devon wildlife meadow, are let by owners Maggie Watson and Ian Ripper who manage their 21 acres for wildlife, including dormice, barn owls and even British orchids, including Popehouse Moor, a 7-acre Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The farm is a member of Greentraveller, and has been awarded gold from both the Green Tourism Business Scheme and the Devon Wildlife Trust.

The farm is powered by 100% renewable energy (thanks to a wind turbine and green grid backup), food waste biodigesters and extensive recycling of glass, metals, plastics, cardboard and waxed cartons. A full year of monitoring confirmed that guests have helped the Farm keep close to 80% of waste out of landfill. 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.

According to Visit England, Wheatland Farm "combines tourism and sustainability to create a low carbon business that enhances Devon’s environment.

"Staying at Wheatland Farm actively finances conservation work and educates guests, who see their consumer power in action".

Jeremy Brinkworth, Director of Business Development, VisitEnglandJeremy Brinkworth, Director of Business Development at VisitEngland, commenting on the awards last night, said:

“The calibre of entries for the Sustainable Tourism Award was extremely high this year, but Wheatland Farm impressed the judging panel by providing a genuine yet affordable experience, where guests can see their consumer power in action, and leave knowing their stay helped keep Devon the lovely place they came to visit.”

The other finalists in the Visit England Sustainable Tourism Award were Greentraveller member Wheeldon Trees, Peak District, Derbyshire, plus Hoe Grange, Peak District, Derbyshire, Kelling Heath, Norfolk and Ullswater Steamers, Cumbria.

One of Greentraveller's contributors, Rhiannon Batten, was also shortlisted for the Best Travel Article of the year, for her article in the Independent on Sunday: Rev up your bicycle and head for the hills

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