Eco stays and retreats are definitely growing in popularity. The good news is, you don’t have to compromise your standards when choosing environmentally friendly accommodation in Cornwall.
Planning a holiday is incredibly exciting with the demand for eco friendly stays in Cornwall on the rise. Our local hospitality businesses are keen to promote their green values, with many improving and refining what they do year on year.
Finding sustainable places to stay in Cornwall couldn’t be easier. There’s lots of variety too. In fact, you can have any kind of holiday you want, from sumptuous luxury to being totally off grid and rooted in nature. When it comes eco stays in Cornwall, there’s something for everyone.
If you’re wanting to find holiday accommodation in Cornwall that values and considers the environment, look no further.
Here are 11 places to stay in Cornwall that have a strong green ethos. They continue to make a conscientious decisions to lower their carbon footprint and give something back to the environment.
Talland Bay Hotel, Looe
Fancy a taste of luxury while remaining eco friendly? The Talland Bay Hotel has a clear green policy to reduce their impact on the environment.
Found on Cornwall’s south east coast between Polperro and Looe, the Talland Bay Hotel have a multifaceted stance on sustainability. Water efficiency has been increased throughout the hotel and rain is collected for the gardens. Their eco friendly position means they reuse all packaging and old linens are used for cleaning by housekeeping. Staff at The Talland Bay Hotel use local suppliers and produce as much as possible. They regularly advocate walking routes and public transport to their guests as well.
The Talland Bay Hotel are well aware that hotels aren’t alway the most eco friendly establishments. However, they’ve made considerable changes and continue to keep in mind the environment in all aspects of their operation and services.
Visit the Talland Bay website.
Kudhva, Tintagel
Kudhva is for you if want to be off grid and immersed in nature.
Set in a disused quarry, the aim is for people to escape, meet, and open their minds to the natural surrounding. There’s a recognition that we all feel better and revived for being in nature, away from technology, and this is very much reflected in Kudhva’s offerings.
Cornish for “hideaway”, Kudhva offers a number of unique options. These include an especially designed cabin on stilts. Here you can sleep on a suspended bed while staring at the coastal view (sounds incredible to me!). There’s Danish style cabins nestled in woodland, tipis and tree rigged tents. All options look adventurous and exciting. Kudhva believe in pushing boundaries and embracing difference by offering guests a truly unique experience. And I really admire them for it.
Visit the Kudhva website.
The Emerald, Carnon Downs
Boasting their status as Cornwall’s first ever zero carbon accommodation, The Emerald offers a secluded escape in an often overlooked countryside location near Truro. The Emerald likes to ensure guests have a special experience. You can have a couples getaway in Juniper, their cute shepherd hut, or stay in one of their other tasteful hideaways. They’re dog friendly too so the whole family can come along.
Visit The Emerald website.
The Sanctuary, Golant
The Sanctuary is another of Cornwall’s zero carbon eco retreats, encouraging guests to unwind, unplug and relax. Run by Karen and David, The Sanctuary holds a Gold award for Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism. These values are a top priority for Karen and David. They’re continually adding to their (already impressive) green status, and are committed to a eco friendly lifestyle.
Built using sustainable materials, the main building is insulated with wool (I love this!). Furthermore, all electricity is solar powered. When taking down the old barn, all materials were stored and used elsewhere on site. Even the rugs are made from recycled plastic! David and Karen’s devotion to eco living is clear. It’s how they live their life and they’re sharing a taste of this with guests. When you read their green policy, it’s like they’ve thought of everything.
Set in 12 acres of land near Fowey, The Sanctuary has 4 rooms. There’s also the offer of mini retreats and the use of a pod for those who want a taste of offgrid living. Dogs are also welcome.
Visit The Sanctuary website.
Scarlet Hotel, Mawgan Porth
Scarlet Hotel is a highly regarded luxury, adult only eco hotel
Their green ethos is clear and remains very much connected to the elements and the immediate natural environment. With pools cleansed with reeds and algae and a roof lined with sea thrift, Scarlet pride themselves on giving back to the environment. They embrace eco technologies such as using grey waste water from bath and showers to flush toilets. Scarlet Hotel supports Surfers Against Sewage and CoaST, Cornwall’s sustainable tourism project.
Visit Scarlet Hotel website.
Rosehill Lodges, Porthtowan
If you’re looking for luxury self-catering with a mindful and green approach, Rosehill in Porthtowan, north Cornwall, may be for you.
Recognised for being environmentally friendly, Rosehill lodges was a Gold Star finalist in the Green Tourism Business Scheme. Their eco lodges are built with sustainable materials and have turf roofs for insulation. Aside from having eco friendly products and waste management, the lodges fit sympathetically with the immediate surroundings.
Visit Rosehill Lodges website
Trevose Harbour Hotel, St Ives
Tasteful, refined and beautifully decorated, Trevose Harbour Hotel prioritises sustainability making it an eco friendly place to stay in Cornwall.
Owners, Angela and Olivier source local, sustainably farmed produce. They also pride themselves on using environmentally friendly cleaning products, fairtrade items and have green energy and resources. Angela and Olivier value and support local charities who advocate for community environmental change, such as the RNLI and Surfers Against Sewage.
Visit Trevose Harbour House website.
St Michaels Resort, Falmouth
Sumptuous but laid back, St Michael’s Resort is recognised as a one of Cornwall’s best eco friendly hotels. Having been twice awarded Gold by the Green Tourism Business Scheme, they minimise energy and waste, and tap into Cornwall’s ecology.
Like many of Cornwall’s hospitality businesses, St Michael’s Resort pride themselves on sourcing local produce. Obviously this reduces food miles but there’s an emphasis on sustainable fishing and supporting local food festivals, like this one in Porthleven. They continue to promote local transport, including our fabulous ferries, and have made changes throughout the hotel to reduce energy consumption and improve water conservation.
Visit the St Michael’s Resort website.
Ekopod Glamping, near Launceston
I can only imagine how fantastic it would feel to spend the night at Ekopod. Guests have a choice of staying in unique geodomes, glamping pods or boutique tents. With no electricity or wi-fi in the pods, guests can completely switch off and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Matt and Rachael who run Ekopod believe in giving back to nature. As such, they work on restoring the natural habitat and creating an environmentally friendly business. The aim is to make the site as wildlife friendly as possible, with a 5 year plan firmly in place.
Visit the Ekopod website.
Merlin Farm, Mawgan Porth
Set on the north Cornish coast, Merlin Farm is a cluster of modern and sustainable holiday cottages. Cottages are decorated in a tasteful, coastal contemporary style and are a stone’s throw from Watergate Bay.
Merlin Farm has a solid green policy. They compost as much as possible and conserve water. Electricity is generated using solar panels. Merlin Farm is also part of a sustainable firewood programme and members of the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
Visit the Merlin Farm website.
Cotna Eco Retreat, Gorran
At Cotna you can stay in a boutique yurt and enjoy some downtime on this organic and eco friendly small holding. It’s not just yurts on offer here. You can also stay in a shepherds hut or a straw-bale studio. Why not take part in a bread making course while you’re there?
Cotna are proud to be a sustainable business. They encourage guests to limit the plastic they bring on to the site and offer eco friendly products for washing. They’ve transformed their garden and grow enough food for themselves and those who stay there which is amazing. You can find out more about their “no dig” approach on their website which has transformed the outside space (sounds like my kind of gardening).
Visit the Cotna website.
Porth Krow, Falmouth from Unique Hideaways
With extensive views overlooking Gorran Gores Creek, the Penryn River and Falmouth, Porth Krow is an eco lodge situated between Penryn and Flushing. Hosted by Unique Hideaways, this igloo shaped sustainable bolthole has many beautiful and contemporary features made from recycled materials.
Porth Know is a fantastic example of luxury perfectly dovetailing with sustainability. A place to stay in that hold in mind the need for something special while considering the impact on the environment. The power for Porth Know is provided by on-site solar energy, with the cabin being surrounded by pretty Cornish countryside.
Visit Porth Krow
It’s so encouraging to see the growing number eco friendly places to stay in Cornwall, all implementing their own green ethos and policies. I hope this post has offered some ideas for where to look for a environmentally friendly stay in the Duchy. A small change can make a big difference.
If you’re looking to make other sustainable swaps in your daily life, you can find some simple ideas in this post with Fresk Living in Mevagissey.
Have you ever stayed in an eco friendly place? I’d love to know what you think.