News and media
Going green in loch homes plan
Lennox Herald - September 28, 2007
A cosy winter getaway in the Yorkshire Dales
September 26th, 2007 - Travel News Europe
Editor's Pick
15th September, 2007 - The Guardian
Approval for extra green holiday lodges
September 7th, 2007 - Darlington & Stockton Times
Green holidays
The Insider - September, 2007
Going green in loch homes plan
Lennox Herald - September 28, 2007
Loch Lomond has been earmarked as the latest in a series of luxury green holiday locations.
Natural Retreats currently has 10 environmentally-friendly "residences" set in 54 acres bordering the Yorkshire Dales. Now it is looking at bringing the high-tech, high-spec dwellings to other national parks, including Loch Lomond, with plans for up to 40 units on the bonnie banks.
The self-catering lodges, which sleep up to six, are constructed with sustainable timber and insulated with recycled paper. They have grass roofs, glass wall frontages, use ground source heat pumps and derive their water from the surrounding hills.
Ewan Kearney, a partner in Natural Retreats, said: "In many National Parks, the only accommodation options people have are to pitch a tent or set down a mobile home. "What we are saying is that you can holiday in the UK and visit beautiful areas and stay in very green but luxurious accommodation. We have used as much green technology as possible.
"We have one operational site down next to the Yorkshire Dales and are looking to develop a Natural Retreat site within or as close as possible to every national park in the UK. We have bought our next two sites at Snowdonia and the Lake District and have been up to Scotland a number of times to view sites at Loch Lomond. There are a few sites that we have got in mind.
"What we are looking for is a site of anywhere between 40 up to 150 acres, depending on the shape and lay of the land, and we would intend to construct between 30 and 40 units.
"The first year of operation in Yorkshire has gone incredibly well."
Each cabin is designed to be sympathetic to the landscape. The surrounding woodland is used as screening and this aspect will be a key feature of any future developments.
Ewan added: "If you were driving into the site from any road you would not know that any of the residences were there, and that is what we will be aiming for with future sites. Another deliberate thing is that we don't provide any facilities on site. Guests can't spend any money on site and everything is designed to push people into the local community and boost the local economy."
Each site is low density, with enough space between each residence to ensure privacy and an unspoiled look.
But despite being green, the firm has not scrimped on the interiors and facilities within the luxury cabins. Guests will be treated to a plasma screen television, leather couches, luxury kitchens, mood lighting, Egyptian cotton sheets and an organic welcome hamper.
A cosy winter getaway in the Yorkshire Dales
September 26th, 2007 - Travel News Europe
Escape from the city for a weekend or more to enjoy bracing countryside walks, fresh crisp air and beautiful seasonal (autumn & winter) scenery. The secluded Aislabeck location is ideal for family getaways, romantic breaks or a fun trip with friends!
The 10 eco-friendly, luxurious residencies balance luxurious contemporary urban living with countryside warmth. Each residence has extensive glass wall frontages, designed to bring in the natural light, magnificent surrounding woodland and meadow views directly into the open plan living room. A wood chip burning stove and solid wooden floors in each residence transforms the living environment into a warm, comfortable cocoon from the elements. Every residence is also equipped with an LCD TV and CD and DVD player, providing modern entertainment in the midst of the secluded Yorkshire countryside.
While it may be tempting to snuggle-down within the residencies, the nearby Georgian market town of Richmond is blessed with sights and sounds that are worth investigating.There is also the comfort of the local pub complete with roaring fireplace. Don't be a stranger and go native by swapping stories with local Yorkshire folk , indulging in the fresh local organic produce or swigging Yorkshire brewed ales and beers by the pint!
Natural Retreats has a winter deal which offers 3 nights for the price of 2 on all stays at Aislabeck from 1st November - 19th December. Prices start from £250 for 3 nights per residence which represents a saving of £65 per residence.
Editor's Pick
15th September, 2007 - The Guardian
Stay Green - Yorkshire Dales
Bracing walks in beautiful countryside are in order in October, preferably from a cosy base so you can return, muddy and ruddy, to a sofa by the fire. Step up Natural Retreats in the Yorkshire Dales, a cluster of eco-lodges, built using recycled material and run on renewable energy, but with contemporary design features including glass walls to make the most of the views.
Approval for extra green holiday lodges
September 7th, 2007 - Darlington & Stockton Times
A sustainable holiday company has won approval to expand its eco-friendly development.
Natural Retreats has ten green-themed lodges on a 54-acre site in Aislabeck, on the outskirts of Richmond. Following approval from Richmondshire's planning committee, work on a further nine is expected to start early next year. Like the existing cabins, they will be built from sustainable timber and glass using the latest green-building techniques. Design features include natural sedum roofs, insulation from recycled newspaper and floor-to-ceiling special glazing and reed bed sewerage systems
The company's operations director, Ewan Kearney, said: "The residences have already proved very popular with holidaymakers, and the additional footfall will bring a welcome boost to the local economy."
This summer, the site has been full and, because it is our policy not to have any additional facilities on site, guests have been making regular use of local shops and services during their stay, as well as visiting the many tourist attractions in the area.
"Councillors approved the scheme, subject to a legal agreement being drawn up stating that the additional units would not be used as full-time residences. Natural Retreats has also been asked to prepare a nature conservation management plan that will be implemented in conjunction with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Natural England.
The plan will build on work undertaken to manage and improve the 54-acre site, which has included re-seeding of wildflower meadows and the creation of ponds and wetland areas. The company is also working on a programme of tree planting.
Natural Retreats will continue to pay a percentage of the site's annual profits to community and environmental causes, which most recently included a £1,500 donation to the community website Richmond Online and sponsorship of the town's shopping and eating guide.
Green holidays
The Insider - September, 2007
Who? Manchester-based Natural Retreats designs and builds environmentally friendly holiday homes.
Did what? Secured a £1.15m funding package from The Royal Bank of Scotland to acquire development sites in Scotland and Wales.
How green are their homes? The company's first development opened earlier in 2007 at Aislabeck close to the Yorkshire Dales and comprises ten residences on a 55-acre site. Each residence is built using a sustainably sourced cedar and features an ever-green sedum roof, walls that are insulated with recycled paper and running water from a local spring.
There are no on-site restaurants, shops or bars, with guests encouraged to shop at local businesses in the surrounding area. The concept has been designed for holidaymakers who want to take a break and enjoy some of the UK's most beautiful countryside, without causing harm to the environment.
What does this mean? Natural Retreats, based in Piccadilly Plaza, is in the process of acquiring sites in the Scottish Highlands and mid-Wales to develop its green sustainable and environmentally friendly principals.
Operations director Ewan Kearney said: "We want to offer holiday makers a rural sanctuary and also ensure sustainability for local businesses in these areas by promoting green tourism. Our first scheme in North Yorkshire has been a great success with the community benefiting from increased spend and employment opportunities. We are keen to develop this model on the site in Wales and Scotland."