Sustainable Energy Design

Our Green Credentials

Please click here to view our green policy.

At Forest Barn Holidays, our aim is to work with the environment and not against it. To symbolize our commitment we are intent on providing a five star service whilst minimizing the environmental impact of our activities. As a member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme we try to reduce greenhouse gasses and promote the understanding of sustainability in its broadest context.

Environmental measures

Eco friendly Ground Sourced Heat Pumps – efficiently providing hot water and heating, they generate 3.5Kw of heat for every 1Kw of electricity consumed.
Composting - green waste, peelings, rotten fruit & veg are composted with garden rubbish to fertilize the soil.
Food waste – collected and fed to the chickens.
Recycling containers for glass, cans, paper, Tetra and plastic.
Collection points for batteries and metals.
Low energy light bulbs wherever possible.
Eco friendly washing up liquid and cleaning products
Recycled paper products
Local deli and butcher provide locally produced meat, cheese, perry, butter etc.
Our farm uses by-products from the local Wooden Fencing industry to provide fuel for the wood-burners.
The Forest of Dean’s beautiful wooded countryside is full of wildlife and nature, including Deer, Badgers and Wild Boar. See the following websites:-
www.field-studies-council.org
www.hiddenbritain.com
Fresh organic fruit and vegetables available from
www.crookedendorganics.co.uk
www.tauruscrafts.co.uk
www.fresh-n-local.co.uk
www.severnandwye.co.uk
Plan of local nature walks.
The build programme for the barns not only included much recycled material including; roofing tiles, stone steps, cast-iron pipe, etc, but also utilized traditional materials such as hydraulic lime mortar and forest oak.
Garden furniture comes from an FSC approved supplier.
Only reusable linen, crockery and tableware are used, no disposables.
Temperature adjustments when property vacant.

Responsible Visitor Charter

We encourage all of our guests to be responsible visitors and we can all reduce our impact on the environment by making the right choices.   As a visitor you have a very important role to play in helping England conserve its natural assets and become a more sustainable destination.

Here are some ideas on how you can help:

Save energy – switch off lights, close windows if heating is on and identify unused towels to save laundry
Give the car a rest – use the local bus, walk or hire a bike
Shop locally – we have links to local shops where you can purchase local and/or organic foods.  If you can’t find what you want, please ask a member of staff.
Recycle – there are many different recycling bins available both within the various properties and around the farm.
Compost – a small white bin in the kitchen is provided for you to help us towards composting. Full details of what may be composted are listed in the recycling section of the property manual.
Left-over food – a second white bin is provided to segregate waste food ready to feed to our chickens.  A very rewarding aspect of recycling as they provide us all with fresh eggs!
Be water wise – turn off the tap when brushing your teeth and again, use towels wisely
Respect nature – help us to look after the landscape and wildlife by using footpaths and cycle-ways responsibly and not littering. Use the outside lights sparingly as they can disturb the bats who share the farm buildings. 
Support other Green Tourism businesses
You can find a copy of the Responsible Visitor Charter here.