News and media
40 Top Travel Trends
December 29th, 2007 - The Times
Doing the Country in Style
December 29th, 2008 - The Guardian
The search for the carbon-neutral holiday
The Times: Travel (Circulation 636,946) 29th December 2007
10 Things to Look Forward to
The Guardian (Circulation 356,789) 29th December 2007
Escape to an eco-lodge
December 2007 - Lifescape Travel
40 Top Travel Trends
December 29th, 2007 - The Times
Cut the Carbon
Next year brings the search for the carbon-neutral holiday, with Natural Retreats, which has nine sustainable log cabins set in 54 acres bordering the Yorkshire Dales, already saying it has a "zero carbon footprint", writes Anna Shepard. It offsets the toal amount of energey used by the cabins as well as in its offices, by supporting tree-planting projects through www.carbonfootprint.com.
Doing the Country in Style
December 29th, 2008 - The Guardian
Inspired by the likes of Bruce Parry and Guy Grieve (of TV's Wild Gourmets), in 2007 we went wild for survival and foraging holidays - despite the soggy weather. Next year eco-friendly lodges and resorts are upping the ante and going luxe. Forest Holidays is introducing luxury cabins at its sites in Keldy, Yorkshire, Deerpark in Cornwall and Strathyre, Scotland. Meanwhile, Natural Retreats, the grass-roofed eco-cabins in the Yorkshire Dales, are closing in January for a major overhaul that will see the existing 10 cabins spruced up plus nine more. It is expected tto reopen in August.
The search for the carbon-neutral holiday
The Times: Travel (Circulation 636,946) 29th December 2007
Cut The Carbon: Next year brings the search for the carbon-neutral holiday, with Natural Retreats, which has nine sustainable log cabins set in 54 acres bordering the Yorkshire Dales, already saying it has a "zero carbon footprint", writes Anna Shephard. It offsets the total amount of energy used by the cabins, as well as in its offices, by supporting tree-planting projects through www.carbonfootprint.com
10 Things to Look Forward to
The Guardian (Circulation 356,789) 29th December 2007
10 Things To Look Forward To: Doing the country in style: .Meanwhile, Natural Retreats (naturalretreats.com), the grass roofed eco-cabins on the Yorkshire Dales, are closing in January for a major overhaul that will see the existing 10 cabins spruced up plus nine more. It is expected to reopen by August 2008. Bivouacs? So 2007.
Escape to an eco-lodge
December 2007 - Lifescape Travel
Nikki Ebrey recommends a walking weekend in the Dales
We approached The Eco Lodges at Aislabeck via a half-mile farm track, with breathtaking views of Swaledale and the dog desperate to leap out and make the most of it. The lodges are set in 52 acres of private woodland and ancient meadow, each impressively positioned for complete privacy.
A Smart Green
The ethos is very green, but not at the expense of comfort. The lodges are luxurious, with flat screen TV, CD and DVD players, solid wood floors throughout, and bespoke kitchen and bathrooms, all built to exacting green standards. They were constructed with timber from sustainable woodlands and have natural sedum plant based roofs and electricity from Good Energy, natural spring water for drinking and showers, with eco friendly cleaning products. Recycled newspaper insulates within the walls and all are solar glazed throughout with e-glazed windows. Each lodge has a wood burning stove but some have leather sofas - not all green folk are vegan-minded.
A Rural haven
The surrounding countryside of the Yorkshire Dales offers numerous activities such as fell walking, mountain biking and canoeing. You can explore the wildlife trails where badgers, foxes, roe deer and squirrels can be seen. There is an abundance of bird life with regular sightings of greater spotted woodpeckers, jays, kestrels and tawny owls, as well as several species of bats. It's a great way to get away from the stress of work and city life without compromising on the luxuries. They do allow you to bring a pet and our dog did enjoy wonderful walks with us everyday.
Eating Out
A sound recommendation for an evening meal would be The Sandpiper, a 17th century inn, situated in the market town of Leyburn. This is a prize winning Gastro Pub, with a choice of three delicious veggie options about 15 minutes away by car, but you could easily bike it.
Cost
The lodges cost from £250 for two nights, low season, and from £545 for a week. High season, which includes the Christmas period, prices are £330 for two nights and £770 for one week. The price includes accommodation, an organic hamper, logs for the stove, linen, towels and bedding. Cots and high chairs are available and there is a minimum two-night stay, rising to five nights at Christmas.