Bedknobs Bed and Breakfast, Cornwall, England

How does Bedknobs B&B minimise its impact on the environment and contribute to a sense of place?

Awarded Gold by the Green Tourism Business Scheme, Bedknobs is one of the greenest B&Bs around. The owners have spent the last decade carrying out a programme of sustainable restoration on the historic Victorian house, including putting 6 sq m of solar panelling on the roofs, each of which has been fitted with around 10 inches of insulation. They are also in the process of draft-proofing the 140 year old Victorian sash windows, installing energy-efficient boiler with thermostatic rad valves and decorating using as many chemical-free products as possible, including organic paints, 100% pure wool carpets and Ecolay. Most of the appliances in the rooms are A-rated.

Each of the guest rooms has a recycling bin and guests are encouraged to recycle their glass and plastic bottles, newspapers and card, plus information on recycling is provided in every room. All cleaning products are based on plant derivatives and toiletries are from ethical sources. The toilets are dual-flush and taps have flow restrictors, while the showers have a dual setting but guests are left to choose whether or not to use them. All of the food on offer is locally sourced, with much of it grown, reared or produced locally wherever possible, plus there’s a list of their suppliers available in every room. Both walker and cyclist accredited, there is plenty of information available on the walking and cycling trails nearby, including connections with the National Cycle Network and routes such as the famous Camel Trail, stretching from Bodmin to Padstow and the Coast and Clay Trail, which starts in Bodmin and leads to Truro via St Austell.