The Pursuit of Sustainability: It’s More than Carbon

Read on to find out our top tips for implementing planet-friendly practices into your day to day life, and travel choices…

Avoid long queues, baggage restrictions and delays by opting to travel to your favourite destination by train, rather than plane. Train travel not only allows far more flexibility and time efficiency, but it’s far better for the environment than plane travel. According to Eurostar, taking the train to Paris instead of flying cuts CO2 emissions per passenger by a staggering 90%. This year, begin your pursuit towards a more sustainable travel lifestyle and choose to travel by train. Why not swap the Caribbean for the azure beauty of the South Devon coast at Thurlestone Hotel or the mountains of Switzerland with the Scottish Highlands at The Torridon, the choice is yours…

Looking to stay close to home but indulge in a proper break away from washing, cooking and cleaning? Nearcations will continue to grow in popularity, not only as a way to save money on transport but also to explore your local area. Nearcations are a fantastic choice for guests who are looking to decrease their carbon footprint whilst celebrating and supporting their local community. So why not embark on a nearcation journey with PoB Hotels, whether you’re based on the coast, in a city or in the countryside, your next escape could be just around the corner. Based in Devon? Take a well-deserved break at Bovey Castle. Based in Oxfordshire? The Relais Henley is ready and waiting…

Supporting your local community, environment and wildlife is a fantastic and simple way to reduce your carbon footprint. That’s why many of the PoB Hotels offer local initiatives which aim to support the hotel’s local community where it’s most needed, and extend these efforts as interactive experiences for guests. For example, Calcot & Spa has recently launched a rewilding stay in honour of their hugely successful rewilding journey. Following a 20-year rewilding project, the hotel is now home to many rare farmland nesting birds. Moreover, The Atlantic hosts an annual Jersey-based food festival, celebrating all things local & delicious and finally, Seaham Hall prides itself on organising beach cleans which aim to preserve local marine life and keeps the beautiful coastline free from waste.

Whilst it’s tempting to give in to those trendy ‘it’ destinations like Mykonos or the Maldives, as a traveller, you can help prevent over tourism by skipping tourist traps and staying off the beaten track. It may be inviting to visit the bucket-list, Instagrammable destinations, but it can be even more rewarding to explore less traversed places. Visit smaller cities or head deep into the countryside: open the door to a luxury experience in Cambridgeshire with Haycock Manor Hotel, set in the idyllic surroundings of the historical Wansford on the River Nene, or escape to Park House Hotel, with beautiful Sussex countryside at every angle.

We all lead busy lives, so why not take some time away from the stresses of daily life with a slow staycation. With PoB Hotels, you can explore the UK’s beautiful countryside and do some good for yourself as well as the environment. Slow travel is all about taking the time to get to know areas, cities and towns in a way that you might miss out on by travelling in a more fast-paced way. It decreases the amount of carbon emissions, provides the local community you are visiting with greater support, as well as allowing time to truly enjoy a destination in its entirety. Heading to Sussex? Slow down and stay awhile by planning a stay at multiple hotels in one area such as the beautiful Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa, nestled above Climping Beach, and Ockenden Manor, with glorious views towards Cuckfield Park - there’s even the option to travel between the two by ebike!