Sustainability
 
Here at Old Rectory House we are striving to lessen our environmental impact in every way possible. From the way we manage our 8 acres of grounds, our high-welfare approach to rearing our animals, sourcing products locally, electric vehicles, the consumables used in the running of our business and the waste it produces. We also make every effort to reduce our use of energy and water wherever possible. The green approach is at the forefront of our ethos and we actively encourage all our guests to follow our same principles.

Land Management

In 2017 we planted half of an acre of wildflower meadow as a haven for wildlife and pollinating insects. We get deer, pheasants and a host of other animals using the tall grasses to hide and shelter. We subsequently underplanted the meadow with 3,000 bulbs in 2021. When we installed our shepherd huts in 2020 we planted over 1,000 native shrubs and trees to lessen the environmental impact of the project. The extra hedgerows and trees creates a perfect habitat for wildlife as well as shelter and food for our livestock. We are continually adding new trees to our orchard to achieve a wider variety and extend the growing season (and our livestock are very grateful of all the windfall fruit!)

Livestock

On our smallholding all our farming practises are high welfare and low intensity. We currently have a flock of Herdwick sheep, Pygmy goats and free range chickens. Our sheep are left to naturally graze outside all year and we keep all our lambs for 18 months (compared to 6 months or less commercially). Our hens and cockerel have a large, free range area where they are very happy and safe with trees and hedgerows for shelter and interest.

Consumables

As a luxury holiday accommodation business, we provide our guests with a range of consumable items and products. Wherever possible we source local, refillable, recyclable or reusable goods.  All our wood-fired hot tubs, wood burners and fire pits use Hotmax Heat Logs. These are made from the waste dust and shavings from the wood industry which makes Hotmax one of the most carbon efficient, environmentally friendly fuels available. All the toiletries and spa products in our are supplied by Bramley.  All the bottles are refillable and the packaging is fully recyclable. Bramley products are made from all natural, bio-degradable ingredients. The toilet rolls we provide are supplied by Who Gives a Crap.  The toilet paper is made from 100% fast growing bamboo and 50% of the profits go towards ensuring everyone has clean water and a toilet. We supply refillable Ecover washing up liquid which is 100% biodegradable.  Even small details in the accommodations like bamboo cotton buds and recycled plastic pens are sustainable.

Local Produce

We love Somerset and champion its produce.  Our welcome pack in the properties and the stock in our Pantry shop are (where possible) sourced locally. The apple juice we provide from Herby4 is made by our friends in the next village. We supply tea and coffee from Miles who are based locally in Minehead. We stock the delicious Styles Ice Cream in our shop which is made at Styles Farm just a few miles down the road. All the meat and eggs sold in our shop and used in our meals are from our smallholding, so you can't get more local than that. The definition of zero food miles!

Recycling

We know our guests are on holiday so we've made it as easy as possible for our them to recycle. We have 3 dedicated areas on site with clearly labelled recycling instructions. Each accommodation has a food composting bin with compostable bags provided. We actively encourage guests to recycle as much as possible while they are here. The homecooked meals we prepare for guests are all packaged in recyclable or compostable containers. The milk we provide is supplied in reusable glass bottles.

Charity

We are delighted to support our local food bank. The food bank is an essential resource for many families in our community, providing access to nutritious food and essential items that they may not otherwise have. We recognise the vital role that the food bank plays in supporting our community, and we are proud to support their mission. We believe that it is essential to support our local community, and we are committed to making a positive impact in any way we can. Our village shop, Kilve Stores, organises and collects food items and financial donations for the food bank. During your stay with us, you can drop off any donations at our front desk, and we will ensure that they are delivered directly to Matt at Kilve Stores.

We are passionate about supporting and encouraging local wildlife but we also recognise the importance of  larger global wildlife issues. We are proud doners to the World Wildlife Fund.

Respecting our village

This is our home and we politely ask all our guests to respect our surroundings.  Old Rectory House is situated on a Sea Lane which is a rural, single lane with limited pedestrian pathways. We get a lot of walkers, horses, school group, dogs and even escaping livestock on the lane, so please keep your speed to a minimum.

Old Rectory House is located within an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and we must all work hard to preserve this. Stick to footpaths, shut gates, only light fires in designated areas and take your litter home with you.

We have spearheaded a project with the help of a local volunteer group to resurrect the village pond on our land which is a firm favourite with the villagers and a haven for wildlife, with ducks returning this year for the first time in decades.

Electric Vehicles

We have have made our own switch to electric vehicles and we have installed a 7.4Kw EV charger to encourage as many green journeys to Old Rectory House as possible. Please let us know if you'd like to charge your vehicle during your stay.