Our Green Journey

We’re proud to share that Fornside Farm has achieved a Green Tourism Bronze Award — recognition that our sustainability practices have been independently assessed and verified by Green Tourism, the world-leading sustainability accreditation body.  Our operations were measured against 15 sustainability criteria, spanning the pillars of People, Places, and Planet. These assess how we work responsibly and ethically, reduce our environmental impact, support our local community, and provide an inclusive, accessible experience for all visitors and staff.  Our assessment showed particular strengths in:

• How we source and use energy to heat our cottages
• Our use of refillable and sustainable materials
• How we signpost guests to enjoy the restorative benefits of our natural surroundings, safely

We were also thrilled to see that we’re already meeting many of the Silver-level criteria, motivating us to aim for achieving that award in the near future.

Our Green Story

In planning our move to Fornside, we already saw ourselves as custodians of this special place; more than simply ‘owners’. Fornside Farm encompasses around 60 acres of land, a Grade II Listed farmhouse, and four holiday cottages set within the peaceful Lake District valley landscape.  We planned to nurture each of these elements, but had little experience in doing this!  Knowing that investment would be needed to modernise the cottages, rewire and re-plumb the farmhouse, and improve sustainability — all while protecting their heritage charm – we read books, visited the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth for inspiration, and building on the work of the previous owners under Countryside Stewardship schemes, we began exploring how best to balance conservation, community, and climate-friendly living.  We loved the ethos we read about in many smallholding ‘how to’ books, of sharing knowledge and experience as we developed it – and wanted to reflect this in the way we welcomed guests to the holiday cottages.  Our aim remains simple: to live and welcome others in a way that respects our environment and contributes positively to the planet and its inhabitants.

The Cottages

When we arrived here in 2018, our immediate concern was to update the asthetic and comfort within the cottages, and to urgently address their tired boiler systems. Within months, we had refreshed interiors, replaced old furniture and bedding, and began to plan a move away from outdated LPG and oil boilers.

Our decision to install Ground Source Heat Pumps was a major step in reducing carbon emissions, but required significant work.  A network of underground pipes were dug into a field to capture the ground’s warmth: each cottage’s heat pump now distributes gentle, consistent heat for the cottages, enabling energy-efficient underfloor heating.  At the same time, we engaged local tradespeople to carry out renovations — from rewiring and plumbing to decorating and furnishing. We also took advantage of the work to create a new outdoor dining space for each cottage.  Examples of making sustainable choices wherever possible include:

• Sourcing furniture through local shops in Keswick, Penrith, and Appleby
• Using upcycled or second-hand items where practicable
• Choosing eco-friendly materials such as Weaver Green throws made from recycled plastic and Herdwick wool carpets supporting Cumbrian farmers
• Using as much reclaimed stone and slate from around the farm in the landscaping work, to minimise materials brought to site

Our cottages now operate with sustainability at their heart. We refill soap and cleaning containers, reduce waste through careful linen use, and provide gentle, eco-certified cleaning products. Guests benefit from 100% renewable electricity, an on-site EV charger, and solar panels generating energy right here on the farm. We’ve even explored micro-hydro options for the future.

The ‘Smallholding’

We encourage guests to recycle their food scraps to the compost, which enriches our vegetable gardens. We’ve planted a young orchard that has just begun to bear fruit, and we rear pigs, free-range hens, and ducks.

Joanna also keeps bees, supporting local pollinators — and our honey, eggs, and pork are often available for guests to enjoy.

The gardens brim with pollinator-friendly flowers, and we leave large wildflower areas untouched for much of the year. This helps biodiversity thrive while saving fuel and creating natural, colourful beauty around the farm.

The wider farm

Across Fornside Farm, a number of wider conservation projects are well underway:

• Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) – we are enrolled in schemes to plant and encourage diverse grasses, flowers, and natural bird food sources within the meadows and the intake fields.
• Tree and Hedge Planting – we have planted over 500 metres of native species hedging and numerous new trees, which provide green corridors for wildlife.  We will continue to do this, a little more each year.
• Beck Restoration Project– in partnership with West Cumbria Rivers Trust, we’ve helped ‘re-wiggle’ Fornside Beck to restore its natural course, support biodiversity, and reduce flood risk.  Watch a short film about this here.
• Wildlife Habitats– bat boxes, bird homes, bug-friendly corners, and beehives now dot the property. Guests also often spot red squirrels at Fornside, as well as a wide range of birds around the farm.

Next steps

Our next steps include improving how we share our sustainability story with guests (this blog is a start!) and carrying out more hedge and tree planting, and building on the sustainable foundations we have laid.  We plan to work towards Green Tourism’s Silver Award, deepening our commitment to people, place, and planet.