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...
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Heating stoves use fuel from managed local woods and compressed sawdust bricks from local sawmills
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In 2010 we ceased burning coal and coke on our fires and stoves and reduced our carbon footprint by seven per cent
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The kitchen has been refurbished with modern energy efficient AA rated appliances
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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 2011
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All the public spaces and most bedrooms (we still have some old fashioned bulbs to use up) have low energy lighting and bathrobes in our bedrooms are made of a special eco-weave which takes 60% less drying time.
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We use the wind and the sun to help dry the rest of our linen whenever we can - wind and solar power at its most basic and effective
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. Last year, the Calvert Trust which provides accessible breaks in the Lake District for people with disabilities benefitted from the sale of Augill Teddy Bears and proceeds from our Christmas concert and a family activity day.
In 2011 & 2012 we are supporting the Brathay Trust
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The Brathay Trust, based at Windermere works with young people who face challenging issues such as social exclusion, rural isolation, bullying or sexual exploitation |
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 at least once each term and last year a team of year six children catered and hosted a reception for local business people.
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Augill Castle is a founding member of Nurture Eden, an initiative to promote the Eden Valley as a leading destination for low impact, responsible tourism activities.
Voted Britain's
Favourite Hotel
Sawday's Guides recognise
Augill for its Ethical, Environmental & Community contributions to sustainable tourism.
Augill Castle supported the 10:10 campaign to reduce carbon emissions by 10% and achieved a whopping 19% reduction in 2010- not bad for a draughty old Victorian castle!
And we're still at it. In 2011 we have replaced 30% of our lighting with LED using 85% less electricity, we have upgraded all our loft insulation to double to minimum standard cutting heating bills so far by 27% and we have switched to eco-friendly biodegradeable products for 90% of our cleaning needs.
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