Discover the Tamar Valley’s Green Acorn Businesses
Sustainable tourism means enjoying a great holiday while protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and helping to preserve this beautiful place for future generations. The Green Acorn Award celebrates businesses in the Tamar Valley that go the extra mile to be eco-friendly—whether it’s by using renewable energy, cutting down on waste, offering sustainable transport options, or serving locally sourced, seasonal food.
At Visit Tamar Valley, we’re proud to support the Green Acorn scheme as part of our long-term commitment to sustainable tourism. We’re actively working with local businesses that share this vision and will be showcasing them here.
As more businesses join the scheme, this section of our website will continue to grow – making it even easier for visitors to choose stays, eateries, and experiences that put people and the planet first.
Why it Matters
Every visit leaves a mark. Choosing sustainable options helps reduce your impact and supports local people and nature. Whether you’re staying in eco-friendly accommodation, exploring on foot or by bike, or shopping at a local market, your choices matter.
Meet the Changemakers
Below, you’ll find links to local businesses that hold the Green Acorn Award. They’re setting the standard for sustainability in the Tamar Valley—book with them and be part of the solution.
Sustainable Businesses Locally
Green Acorn Hotels
The Tamar Valley, much of which is designated a National Landscape, bridges the Devon/Cornwall border, and is not only rich in natural splendour – it’s also home to a growing number of hotels committed to sustainable tourism.
Whether you’re looking for an eco-conscious boutique stay, a traditional inn with locally sourced menus, or a countryside retreat that champions green practices, there’s a wide range of options to suit every type of traveller and budget.
In this expansive rural landscape, many hotels offer breathtaking views of rolling hills, woodland, and lakes, and several are located in vibrant market towns where sustainability and community go hand in hand.
If you’re looking for dog-friendly places, family-focused activities, a romantic venue for an eco-friendly wedding, or a unique green setting for a meeting or retreat, the Tamar Valley has something to offer. Choosing to stay here not only supports sustainable tourism but also contributes to the preservation of one of the UK’s most treasured landscapes.
Green Acorn Self-Catering
The Tamar Valley is a haven for travellers seeking both natural beauty and a sustainable escape. For those who prefer flexibility, privacy, and a lighter footprint, self-catering accommodation is the ideal choice—and the Tamar Valley offers an exceptional range.
From beautifully restored barns and off-grid cabins to eco-lodges and countryside cottages powered by renewable energy, many self-catering properties here have embraced sustainable practices. Expect features like biomass heating, solar panels, rainwater harvesting, wildlife-friendly gardens, and locally sourced welcome packs—all designed to reduce environmental impact and support the local economy.
Set within peaceful woodlands, beside rivers and lakes, or in welcoming village communities, these stays offer guests the chance to slow down and reconnect with nature. Many are dog-friendly, offer cycling or walking routes from the doorstep, or provide opportunities to experience local food and craft producers just a short walk or drive away.
Whether you’re planning a family adventure, a romantic eco-retreat, or a solo digital detox, self-catering in the Tamar Valley allows you to travel responsibly while immersing yourself in one of the UK’s most stunning and sustainably-minded landscapes.
Green Acorn Camping
For travellers looking to get even closer to nature, the Tamar Valley offers some of the most peaceful and environmentally conscious camping and touring experiences in the Southwest.
From small, off-grid campsites and eco-friendly glamping spots to welcoming touring sites with minimal environmental impact, this is a place where sustainability and serenity go hand in hand. Many sites are locally owned and actively support the valley’s conservation goals—offering composting toilets, solar-powered showers, wildlife-friendly spaces, and recycling facilities as standard. Here are the camping and tourisn sites that hold the Green Acorn Award for sustainability in tourism.
Set amid rolling hills, ancient woodland, and river valleys, the Tamar Valley invites you to slow down and tread lightly. Wake to birdsong, stargaze under dark skies, or spend your days exploring nearby walking and cycling trails. With a focus on low-impact stays, many sites also promote local produce, encourage car-free travel, and offer advice on exploring the area sustainably.
Whether you’re pitching a tent, bringing a campervan, or looking for a cosy glamping pod, camping in the Tamar Valley connects you directly to the land—and helps protect it for future generations.
Green Acorn Attractions
The Tamar Valley Area is home to a diverse range of attractions that offer rich experiences while championing sustainable tourism. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, art, or local food, the Valley invites you to explore in a way that supports both the environment and the local community.
From historic mining heritage sites and wildlife reserves to artisan workshops and regenerative farms, many attractions in the Tamar Valley are deeply rooted in the landscape and committed to protecting it. You’ll find businesses using renewable energy, minimising waste, promoting biodiversity, and working closely with local suppliers and producers.
There are opportunities to explore on foot, by bike, or even by canoe—giving visitors a chance to experience the beauty of the valley at a slower, more mindful pace. Many attractions offer interactive experiences too, such as forest schools, eco-art classes, farm tours, and nature walks designed to inspire connection with the land.
Whether you’re visiting a community-run museum, a permaculture garden, a sustainably managed estate, or a local makers’ market, you’ll discover that every outing in the Tamar Valley can be an opportunity to travel more consciously.
Green Acorn Places to Eat
Eating out in the Tamar Valley is more than just a treat—it’s an opportunity to experience the region’s commitment to sustainability and local flavour. From cosy cafés and traditional pubs to award-winning restaurants and farm-to-table kitchens, many eateries here take pride in sourcing ingredients locally and operating with the environment in mind.
You’ll find seasonal menus celebrating produce grown just down the road, freshly caught fish from nearby coasts, and meat, dairy, and baked goods from small-scale local suppliers. Many places also cater for plant-based diets, offer refill stations for water bottles, and actively reduce food waste and single-use plastics.
Set in charming market towns, tucked away in quiet villages, or nestled within working farms and gardens, these eateries offer not only great food but a genuine taste of place. Whether you’re fuelling up after a countryside walk, enjoying a relaxed cream tea, or sitting down for a celebratory meal, you can do so knowing your visit supports the local economy and helps protect the valley’s unique environment.
So take your time, ask about the specials, and enjoy the flavours of the Tamar Valley—grown, made, and served with care. Here are some places to eat that hold the Green Acorn Award for sustainability.
