Green Tourism Programme

Visit Tamar Valley and Green Acorn Championing Climate-Positive Steps in the Tamar Valley

Visit Tamar Valley is taking on climate change head-on with our exciting Sustainability Pledge and green tourism initiatives! As part of the Tamara Landscape Partnership Scheme’s “Come Visit, Stay Awhile” project, we’ve partnered with The Green Acorn Award Scheme to launch the Green Tourism Programme.

Thanks to National Lottery Heritage Funding, this program will support eight local tourism and hospitality businesses, known as ‘ambassadors,’ to lead the way in sustainability. These businesses will engage in the Green Acorn scheme to earn the Green Acorn Award, and encourage their guests to reduce the environmental impact of their visits. They’ll also share their experiences and best practices with other local businesses, inspiring a wave of sustainability across Tamar Valley tourism. By late 2025, our ambassadors will help shape a Sustainable Tourism Charter for the region—moving us all toward a greener Tamar Valley!

Read on to learn more.

Meet our Ambassadors

Over the next two years and beyond, Visit Tamar Valley will follow these inspiring businesses as they launch and expand green initiatives, creating a powerful positive impact now and for future generations. We’re inviting holidaymakers to be a part of this exciting journey! These dedicated businesses are thrilled to share their steps in reducing their environmental footprint—and helping their guests do the same. Don’t miss out on their progress and innovations—stay tuned for updates through our social media channels and newsletters!

Harlings

Representing Attractions and Retail

Situated in the heart of the Tamar Valley, Harlings captures the essence of the region’s beauty. With stunning views of both the Devon and Cornwall countryside and the iconic River Tamar with its two famous bridges, the farm embodies sustainability at its core. We’re thrilled to welcome such an innovative and environmentally conscious business as one of our Ambassadors and we are very much looking forward to working with them over the coming years. Especially given the exciting opening of their cafe and farm shop in spring 2025.

The Arundell Hotel

Representing hotels

The Arundell Hotel is one of just a handful of hotels in the area and known for its rural charm and focus on country sports. Its restaurant is celebrated for using seasonal, locally sourced, and wild ingredients, expertly prepared by their chef. As strong advocates of simple pleasures, outdoor activities, and the natural world, the hotel has already made significant progress on its green journey. It will be exciting to follow their continued efforts to enhance their sustainability practices in the coming years.

The Yard Cafe

Representing cafes and tea rooms

The Yard Cafe sits on the banks of the River Tamar, nestled in the heart of Weir Quay Boatyard on the Bere Peninsula. Visitors can relax and enjoy the view, accompanied by the soft sounds of boat rigging tapping against masts. Conveniently located on the Tamara Coast to Coast Way, the cafe offers a perfect spot for walkers to rest and recharge. Walking and hiking are eco-friendly activities year-round, and Christine, who runs the cafe, is committed to supporting local food and drink suppliers, ensuring a menu full of delicious, locally sourced options.

Birland Cottage

Representing self catering micro businesses

Birland Cottage enjoys one of the most desirable positions in the Tamar Valley, situated at the heart of the Bere Peninsula between the great rivers Tavy and Tamar. Birland is a quaint and cosy former silver miner’s cottage set up as self-contained accommodation with the option of breakfast and evening meal thanks to onsite chef Martin. A keen veg gardener, guests can look forward to sampling home grown produce from the nearby allotment.

Spring Parc

Representing multi-accommodation self-catering parks

Located in beautiful Cornish countryside, family run Spring Parc invites you to come and unwind at one of their beautiful wagons and cottages. Spring Parc is a vintage experience where a collection of 8 quirky wagons, cabins and shepherd huts, and two cosy cottages blend harmoniously with their surroundings.

Peter, who owns the park commented ”I feel honoured that we at Spring Park have been chosen to work with TVT as an ambassador business to help and encourage others to develop tourism in a Green and sustainable way here in the Tamar Valley. Although we have been going for 11 years now, we are very much beginners in this quest but are ready to do all we can for this beautiful and rich part of our green and pleasant land.’‘

Lucy Daniel Guide

Representing guiding and touring

Award-wining and highly experienced walker and guide Lucy Daniel is a former member of a Public Rights of Way team and South West Coast Path Association volunteer. Lucy provides a full schedule of tours around the Tamar Valley and its borders, rewarding guests with a 10% discount for arriving by public transport.

Here’s what Lucy has to say about being on the programme: “I’m delighted to be an ambassador for the Visit Tamar Valley Green Tourism Scheme. As a business founded on the principle of minimising its carbon footprint, I hope to be in a good position to encourage other businesses to make small changes to make a big difference. We are privileged to work in beautiful natural surroundings, so doing all we can to protect them has to be a priority.”

Old Rectory Camping

Representing camping and touring businesses

The Old Rectory Caravan and Camping Park near Tavistock occupies an idyllic setting on the border of Devon and Cornwall. This small, family-run park has 11 touring pitches with optional electric hookup, four private enclosed pitches, four timber pods and space for around 20 tents. Set in approximately 5 acres of peaceful countryside, Old Rectory has already been incredibly innovative with its green measures. “We live in a most beautiful part of the world, rich in heritage, landscapes and beautiful countryside. As a campsite we are guilty of encouraging visitors to share the place we call home. As such we have a duty of care to balance commercial interests with ecological and environmental impact. We started this journey a few years ago and are continuously looking to improve, As such we are delighted to be offered a role as Ambassador to share our experiences and to learn from others.” Declan & Sarah, The Old Rectory.

Ramblers Rest

Representing bed and breakfast businesses

Stay high up on Dartmoor at the edge of the Tamar Valley and enjoy the best of both worlds. This guesthouse does things a bit differently to a traditional B&B. The rooms are planned to allow superior comfort whilst offering independence. Rooms are equipped with fridges, microwaves, tea and coffee making, there’s even a kitchen sink. The ultimate treat is the 4.25m hot spa pool available to all guests in the guest house rooms. There’s also an outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, log burner, BBQs and a sheltered seating area.

Resources for Holiday Makers

Sustainability saves tomorrow - Holiday makers can make a difference too

If you’re planning to visit the Tamar Valley, you’ll find some useful information about how to be environmentally aware. You can also find out more about sustainable tourism in general on the button below.

In 2023 Booking.com carried out extensive research into sustainable travel. Here are some key takeaways:

76% of travellers said that they wished to travel more sustainably in the coming 12 months.

Whilst 49% of travellers believe more sustainable travel options are too expensive, 43% are willing to pay extra for travel options with a sustainable certification.

The “Tourism 2023” report by ABTA highlights the commitment of leading UK tourism stakeholders to creating a profitable industry that benefits destinations and protects the environment. This initiative, supported by Forum for the Future and Defra, emphasizes developing sustainable products, protecting the environment, and ensuring tourism benefits local communities (ABTA).

Mintel’s 2024 report on sustainability in travel reveals that a significant portion of UK travellers, especially younger generations, prioritise sustainability when booking holidays. It also notes that consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impacts of their travel choices and seek options that align with their values (Mintel Store).

Additionally, a Twissen report underscores the need for sustainable tourism development in the UK, stressing the importance of investment in rural and maritime areas to unlock their full potential. The report calls for updated tourism legislation, improved transport systems, and the promotion of regional products to support sustainable tourism growth (Twissen).

This research highlights an increasing awareness and concern about the environmental impacts of travel. Travelers are driven not only by a desire to protect the planet for future generations but also by the personal health and well-being benefits associated with sustainable practices.

If you’re in business you’ll know that sustainability is a broad and sometimes overwhelming topic, making it challenging to know where to begin—or, if you’ve started, how to expand your green initiatives. You may wonder what will work best for your business, what similar businesses have accomplished, where the potential challenges are, what real environmental benefits could be achieved, and, of course, what costs might be involved. In this section, we’ll provide valuable information, insights, case studies, and more to help you and your business get started, inspire new ideas, and support the growth of your own sustainability efforts.

Resources for Tourism Businesses

Miscellaneous

Press and PR

On Saturday 9th November 2024, our Programme Lead Sarah Bartlett was asked about the Green Tourism Programme on BBC Radio Cornwall’s breakfast show. Click to listen.