RESPECTING AND ENHANCING NATURE

Our approach to Sustainability

We strive to have a positive impact in everything we do, respecting nature and enhancing the health and well-being of families who choose to spend time at our natural Cotswold retreat.  We are one of the only estates in the UK to have been awarded Building with Nature status, thanks to our sensitive approach to sustainably developing holiday homes and being nature-inclusive

 

Everything we do works towards Habitat Zero, our pledge to deliver an environmentally responsible, carbon-neutral business by 2030. 

SURROUNDED BY NATURAL BEAUTY

Our wildlife at Lower Mill Estate

Lower Mill Estate has been carefully converted into an ecological haven and supports thousands of species of flora and fauna, including otters, dormice and a stunning array of wild birds. Our expert ecology team work closely to retain and encourage new species, some of which are unique to the Cotswolds.

 

Each month presents new opportunities to get acquainted with the wildlife on site - see our conservation calendar to find out more about the diverse species at Lower Mill Estate.

 

LOWER MILL ESTATE WILDLIFE CALENDAR

Enjoying a natural habitat

BUILDING WITH NATURE

Eco-holiday homes

We are one of the only estates in the UK to be accredited with Building with Nature status, thanks to our sustainable approach. Formerly a barren quarry, Lower Mill Estate has also been cited as an example of best practice by Natural England for its approach to brownfield restoration and ecological regeneration.

Respecting nature and creating a positive impact

ECO-FRIENDLY

Sustainable travel at Lower Mill Estate

We encourage people to travel sustainably wherever possible and there are electric car charging points across the Estate to support this. Many of our eco-friendly holiday homes come with their own EV charging points and we are delighted to see more homeowners choosing this option. We are also fortunate to be based less than 4 miles away from Kemble railway station. If you would like to visit us by train, we may be able to collect you from the station by electric vehicle, depending on your arrival time.

 

When you book a holiday through Habitat Escapes for Lower Mill Estate, you will be given the option to offset the carbon footprint of your holiday journey by donating £3. Every £3 will plant six new trees and regift 30p to a good cause local to the Estate.

SEARCH HOMES WITH EV CHARGING
From Fork to Field

Homegrown produce

Ballihoo, our on-site restaurant, is a field-to-fork restaurant that prioritises the use of locally sourced ingredients and fresh produce, including from our on-site allotment. This commitment is reflected in our ever-evolving seasonal menu, as we aim to minimise our impact on the environment where possible. 

 

Our hard-working grounds team also use the allotment to recycle many of our natural materials, such as fallen leaves and vegetable peelings, which in turn helps our food to flourish. We also work with local businesses such as Cotswolds Lakes Brewing Co who donate leftover grains for our compost after they have finished the brewing process. 

PART OF THE COMMUNITY

Local projects

At Lower Mill Estate we support the Cotswolds Conservation Fund which is a project administered by the Cotswold District Council and encourages the Parish Council and local groups to invest in nature through a variety of environmental projects.

 

So far the fund has supported the Cotswold Water Park Water Vole recovery project and supported Ashton Keynes Primary School in their Nature Garden, an outdoor learning area for children to learn more about British wildlife.

We have also had the pleasure of helping the Cotswold Lakes Trust unveil their Beaver Bus on the Estate, an educational trailer for children to learn more about nature.

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Gallery of Photos