Our Green Castle: People & Environment

Not quite 'The Good Life' but it's a good life!

It's our world: If not now then when, if not us then who?

Free range eggs, happy chickens, a kitchen garden for vegetables, fruit and cut flowers, supplies sourced as locally as possible. These are at the heart of Augill policy of looking after the environment of which it is a part. We do all we can to minimise the environmental impact of a business which, after all, does encourage people to travel to a building not originally constructed with efficiency or economy in mind (although the Victorians knew more than you'd think about energy conservation).

We believe that looking after the environment also includes looking after the people with whom we do business and the community of which we are a part.

From recycling to investing in new technology, nothing is overlooked. We gladly ferry guests to and from the nearest public transport and will enthuse about local walks which take in scenery as good as any in the lakes or dales without the drive.

Whether you believe in global warming or not the fact is that we are running out of fossil fuels so...

Heating stoves use fuel from managed local woods and compressed sawdust bricks from local sawmills.

In 2010 we ceased burning coal and coke on our fires and stoves and will reduce our carbon footprint by seven per cent.

The kitchen has been refurbished with modern energy efficient AA rated appliances and a new heating and hot water system using either wood chip or making 97% efficient use of gas and combining an air source heat pump is planned for later in 2010.

All the public spaces have low energy lighting and bathrobes in our bedrooms are made of a special eco-weave which takes 60% less drying time. We use the wind and the sun to help dry the rest of our linen whenever we can.

These measures have reduced our electricity usage by eleven per cent over two years.

We source raw materials from mushrooms to meat to milk & cheese to toiletries as locally as we can. Local trades are supported and staff are local.

There are wildlife havens in all corners of the garden, garden waste is chipped to make new paths or, along with kitchen waste, mulched to feed the flowers and vegetables and we have planted 500 new trees in the last decade.

At Augill looking after the environment is as much about social responsibility and each year we support a locally based charity. This year, the Calvert Trust which provides accessible breaks in the Lake District for people with disabilities will benefit from the sale of Augill Teddy Bears. Last year we presented Hospice at Home Carlisle & North Lakeland with £1400.

We also support our local primary school as business sponsor of their 'Let's Get Cooking' intiative. Every child in the school gets the chance to cook in the castle kitchen.

Challenging disability

through adventure

We are proud to have the Calvert Trust as our adopted charity for 2009/10, showing us all that what matters is what you can do not what you can't.

Sawday's Guides recognise

Augill for its Ethical, Environmental & Community contributions to sustainable tourism.

Augill Castle supports the campaign to reduce carbon emissions by 10% in 2010