GOLD Award winner - Green Tourism Business Scheme

'Thank you! We have had a fantastic stay in these beautiful surrounds. Everything we needed was at our fingertips - much appreciated. We particularly enjoyed being able to compost and recycle our waste and look out the window to the farm and solar panels - brilliant. We'll be back.'

To provide you with year round luxury and comfort, with no compromise to you or the environment, The Dovecote Barns have employed the most modern of environmental technologies.

We have created a 5 star Gold Award winning luxury holiday accommodation without compromising on sustainability. We are delighted to be awarded the Green Tourism Business scheme Gold award status.

Using renewable energy sources, we provide you with hot water for your showers and under-floor heating.

We have employed an environmental design company of specialists who have designed both the building fabric of these barns and all the mechanical and electrical elements.

The buildings have been designed to maximise on energy efficiency and have been insulated beyond all building regulation levels. The windows and door glazings have all been argon filled to ensure minimal heat loss.

We have built a purpose-built boiler room to house the LZC technology controls, boiler and thermal stores. We are happy to demonstrate these to you during your stay. We use a biomass boiler and solar panels to provide for our hot water and heating needs.

The hot water generated ensures constant supply to your en-suite showers and baths. In addition, all properties are heated on all floors by underfloor heating which is a healthier alternative to conventional radiators and is a more efficient form of central heating. Each area is thermostatically controlled.

A major investment in autumn 2011 saw a fourteen fold increase in our generation capacity. We now produce twice as much electricity as we use. The surplus goes into the national grid, however to cover peak periods we are signed up to 'Green Energy' a company that only uses renewable sources for its electricity production.

Low energy bulbs and energy efficient appliances are installed throughout.

Eco-Laundry
The eco-laundry is a purpose-built communal laundry.

The hot water washing machines use surplus heated water stored in the boiler room. The laundry and all the barns are stocked with environmentally friendly products.

Recycling and Composting
Recycling and composting facilities are available on-site.

Local Produce
A complimentary welcome basket is provided for both our short stay and long stay guests. In it a selection of Yorkshire and locally grown produce is supplied.

Our complimentary toiletries are the 'Bee Kind' range, fully recycleable packing and printed with soya ink.

Landscape / Environment Conservation
The work on the farm has been recognised nationally with the selection of Richard as a finalist in the Countryside Farmer of the Year awards 2009.

The technology was part funded by the DECC Low Carbon Buildings Programme