Some of Britain’s most environmentally friendly businesses have been honoured with a Goldstar in recognition of reaching the top of their class – including Bluebell Croft, Strontian, Argyll for Best Self Catering Accommodation. The coveted Green Tourism Business Scheme Awards were presented to eight of the country’s most sustainability minded businesses working within the tourism industry at a special event in Edinburgh on May 25. Founded by the internationally renowned Green Tourism Business Scheme, the awards honour those businesses and organisations that have done the most to promote sustainability within the industry by implementing cost saving practices that help the environment, improve customer services and benefit the bottom line. ‘The Goldstar Awards are a recognition of the best of the best’ said Andrea Nicholas, Director of the Green Tourism Business Scheme. ‘The Awards are intended to honour the highest GTBS achievers of the last twelve months in terms of innovation, ambassadorship and cost savings. A total of 52 green tourism businesses were shortlisted for the final this year, out of more than 2,300 possible contenders. Everyone is an exemplar in the promotion and practice of sustainability. Unfortunately, there can only be a handful of overall winners but I have been hugely impressed by the efforts made by all the finalists. They have demonstrated how it is possible to be environmentally conscious and successful and are prime examples of how going green makes good business sense.’  http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/1900.htm

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An idyllic shepherd’s hut on a beautiful organic Derbyshire Dales farm. Breakfast provisions are included in the price. Shepherds huts are a traditional part of the farming landscape and fit well within our organic farm environment. The hut is built in a traditional style but with good insulation and a lovely wood burning stove for cosy evenings. The accommodation sleeps two people and includes a double bed with luxury bed linen and throws made from our organic rare breed sheep wool, antique furniture and period china. There is an outside cooking and dining area with beautiful views. We will provide produce from the farm for you to make breakfast, and you will be able to buy seasonal organic produce from us for other meals if you wish. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/3104.htm

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David’s House is a chemical free organic bed and breakfast. This spacious guest house, with warm and friendly hospitality, is situated close to the dramatic north coast of Cornwall. The stunning beaches of Daymer Bay and Polzeath are both within five minutes drive. We provide delicious organic breakfasts. All the food served is locally produced and organic. Special diets can be catered for. All bedding, furniture and cleaning products are organic / environmentally friendly. Drinking and bathing water is filtered. Chapel Amble is in a conservation area, and is surrounded by National Trust land and organic farmland. Explore the quaint fishing villages of Port Isaac and Port Quin, and the bustling market town of Wadebridge. David’s House is an ideal break for those who enjoy organic living, are concerned about their health and well being, and for people who suffer with allergies such as asthma, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and M.E. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/3101.htm

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Leeb Croft is a working biodynamic coastal croft on the Isle of Mull, two miles from Bunessan and eight from Iona. The croft consists of 30 acres of natural organic pasture, woodland and wetland. We have a cow, vegetable garden and fruit garden, all of which are cultivated organically. The Jam House is made entirely of timber. The accommodation includes a kitchen diner on the ground floor, used for making homemade jams for sale at the top of the drive when not let. A timber staircase leads to a large timber studio room, with views on all four sides. Large double patio doors overlook the loch [owned by the National Trust], Staffa, the Treshnish Isles and the sea beyond – the view from this room is one of the best on Mull. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/3098.htm

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Bed and Breakfast in the heart of old Bruges, close to the mills and medieval Kruispoort – one of the four remaining ancient city gates. EcoBio is a comfortable and very cosy worker’s house, ecologically renovated with heart and soul and accommodating one to four guests [self catering option available]. It has a sunny terrace, fully equipped open kitchen with a dishwasher, fridge and oven, extra large shower, two loos, king size beds, underfloor heating for yoga / shiatsu / massage. Everything is eco and organic. It’s in an ideal location for exploring Bruges. There are two bicycles available. Ride alongside the water on the ramparts. Stop and visit the old windmills. See for yourself that Bruges is the Venice of the North. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/3097.htm

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Troed y Rhiw is an organic farm committed to growing with nature in the fabulous Ceredigion countryside. Our working farm is located in rural West Wales, just over a mile from Cardigan Bay’s protected Heritage Coastline. The Old Dairy is one of two beautifully restored 17th century stone dairies on the family run farm. The accommodation is across a single level floor and includes one bedroom, a wet room bathroom, and a dramatic open plan living room and kitchen with exposed beams and ash wood floor. Eating fresh organic vegetables picked from the farm is one of the highlights of a stay here. Breakfast is also available on request.

Principles and Techniques of Organic Growing

During the spring and summer months, you can combine your stay at Troed y Rhiw with a week long series of seminars exploring the principles and techniques of organic growing. Across four mornings, you will learn about the issues ssociated with organic growing and our increasing need for sustainable agricultural practice in a post-peak oil economic landscape. You will also learn about key organic growing principles including crop diversity, fertility building, crop rotation and maintaining natural habitats. This would be complemented by practical hands on experience in soil preparation, sowing  seeds, plant nurturing and innovative organic forms of pest control. A master grower will work with you to develop a growing plan suited to your capacity and interests and offer advice on the best selection of plants to suit varying types of soil and growing conditions, speciality crops to consider and how to maximise roduction through layout of crops and complimentary growing.

Beekeeping

Explore an ever growing and immensely popular pursuit, particularly for urban dwellers. Bee populations across the world are collapsing catastrophically and we may lose one in three of every bite we eat. Keeping bees on a domestic level can be a vital way of supporting the bio-diversity that bees foster. We offer both weekend taster courses in beekeeping and a basic fundamentals course over a week in association with New Quay Honey Farm.

Wild Food Foraging

Our hedgerows, meadows, woodlands and coastal areas are full of a fantastic range of edible plants that are there for the picking if you know what they are and how to use them. Over the course of a week or a weekend, you will learn to find and identify a wide range of wild food in walks through varying environmental ecosystems. Led by an experienced forager, we will explore different ways of using wild food and each walk will conclude with cooking up what we find.

http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/3096.htm

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Relais Torre Marabino is set on our organic farm in Ragusa’s countryside, 4km from the Mediterranean Sea. It is ideally placed for exploring the many cultural and archaeological sites of the Val di Noto. Formerly an ancient tower, the Relais has been renovated and now offers luxury accommodation, gourmet cuisine and an extensive wine list. The hotel’s seven spacious and elegantly furnished rooms all have a sea view. The restaurant ‘La Moresca’ serves a buffet breakfast and traditional Sicilian recipes at dinner. The chef uses seasonal ingredients and lots of homegrown organic vegetables, oil and fruits. Guests can try the organic wine from the Marabino winery. If you like nature, relaxing and good food, this is the right place. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/3094.htm

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Spacious shepherd’s hut beside Wiggold wood and its ancient oaks. Big double bed, cosy woodburner, fully equipped with a gas ring and everything you need for cooking – utensils, pots, pans and crockery. South facing outside fire place with a fab view across the fields. Bring a torch, bedding, nightlights and matches. It’s fifteen minutes walk down the old railway line track to the farm shop and cafe. If you arrive before the shop shuts you can buy food from the farm, alcohol and general groceries. The shepherd’s hut is available throughout the year and is offered for adult use only. There’s a compost loo in the wood behind, a cold water tap in the field, a flush loo and hot shower [£1 coin operated] four minutes walk away. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/3093.htm

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Moinhos do Dao is a country estate on the banks of the Dao River in an ecological reserve. It is ideal for those who want to be surrounded by natural beauty and experience rural Portugal. We use regional and seasonal products in our restaurants. Some of the produce comes from our own garden and we buy from local farmers with sustainable gardening practices. We are developing permaculture practices in the management of our land. Electricity is generated with water and solar power and we strive to use water and electricity efficiently. Activities organised [hiking, eco crafts, raft building, wine tasting, picking grapes, etc] are tied into the love for our natural and agricultural surroundings. Camping is also available. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/3092.htm

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Our garden is situated in one of Europe’s most beautiful and untouched regions. Everything flourishes abundently in the Rhodope Mountains due to the Mediterranean climate, the high quality of the clean environment, and the lack of human interference. Melanya Organic Holidays are completely at one with nature and we are committed to a sustainable existence and responsible tourism for the village and the region. When out walking, you can pick and eat wild strawberries and drink from the clear mountain streams, safe with the knowledge that everything is completely free from any pesticides, additives and ‘grow faster’ chemicals. Your self contained kitchenette is stocked with a range of delicious organic supplies for breakfast and you have the options of packed lunches and home cooked organic evening meals. You may wish to self cater if you prefer and bring your own supplies, or take advantage of the organic produce available which is either from our own abundant garden or locally grown. Our free range hens lay delicious fresh eggs and
homemade bread is baked daily. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/3005.htm

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