Country Cottages near York, North Yorkshire Self-catering Holiday Cottages with heated indoor Swimming Pool and Log Fires

       5 Quality Self-Catering / Vacation Rental Properties ideal central location for York, North York Moors, Yorkshire Coast and the Dales

Sparrow Hall Holiday Cottages    

 
email : pam@sparrowhall.co.uk  Home  Local events   Cottages  Book weekly holidays   Booking Mini Breaks   Location     2012 Prices  Local events
Tel + (44) 07792026049
Welcome to the Green Tourism Business Scheme!

 

Sparrow Hall Cottages Green Tourism Policy Statement

We care about our environment and long-term sustainability. We are committed to making Sparrow Hall Holiday cottages as environmentally friendly as possible.
All our linen is laundered on site using eco product.  There are outdoor drying facilities for guests but also tumble driers to use when necessary.  To reduce drying time please pop the spiky balls in the drier with your clothes.

We ask our guests to help us by recycling paper to the log boxes, glass and cans into the green boxes provided and used batteries into the battery bucket in the laundry.  Other recycling opportunities are explored as they arise.

Recycled paper, envelopes and ink cartridges are used in the office. Recycled paper for toilet rolls, tissues and kitchen towels are used in the cottages. Eco friendly cleaning products are used throughout the cottages. Email and online booking is used to communicate where possible to reduce paper consumption and freight costs.

Our cottages have combination boilers, which we hope to upgrade to fully condensing, the radiators are fitted with thermostats and we have main room thermostats. All the windows and doors have been replaced with double glazed units.

Most of the appliances in the cottages are A rated to minimize energy consumption. The majority of light bulbs used are energy efficient.

 Dusk to dawn sensors with low wattage eco bulbs activate outdoor lighting. The TV and DVD have standby/turn off systems where possible.

The Swimming pool has a Calorex heat recovery system, extracting heat from the moist air in the pool hall and using this heat to warm the pool water and the Air. The use of the pool cover is most important as evaporation is the  main source of rapid heat and water loss. The extractor fans have a 75% heat recovery heat exchanger and are moisture and motion sensitive. We plan to change our pool water treatment  from chlorination to water electrolysis.

Our energy and water consumption are monitored to identify opportunities to reduce consumption. Energy tariffs are reviewed on a regular basis.

Our guest information files in the cottages and on our website have local information on what to do, where to go and where to eat close to Sparrow Holiday Cottages. While we cannot completely eliminate the need to travel by car for most of our guests there are lots of ideas for “more or less” car free days. The cottages are only 7 miles from York Park and Ride. A great way to see York at its best. We have two walking guides from the cottages and we have OS maps of the area to lend out.

 

We are committed to a continuous improvement in environmental management to benefit ourselves and future generations. We would ask you to support us in this whilst staying at Sparrow Holiday Cottages.

  • Suggested areas where contributions can be made are as follows:
  • Switch off lights  when not in use
  • Leave old batteries in our battery back tub in the laundry for safe disposal 
  • Please close doors and windows when you have the need to use the heating
  • Please adjust the central thermostat and heating in individual rooms to suit your requirements
  • Re-cover the pool when not in use
  • Please avoid excessive use of water
  • There is a box outside each cottage for glass and cans which we empty.  We would ask you to also use  local recycling facilities.
  • There are good local shops, pubs and takeaways in Stamford Bridge only four miles away  and  for visiting York we strongly recommend the park and ride
  • We would welcome any ideas that you have, that could help Sparrow Hall Holiday Cottages to be more ‘environmentally friendly’, particularly ones which do not affect  the enjoyment of the cottages


By choosing a Green Tourism Business Scheme business you are guaranteed

That the business:
Is committed to sustainable tourism and minimising its damage to the environment
Is operating in accordance with the relevant environmental regulations
That the site:
Meets minimum standards of good practice across a range of sustainable development indicators.
Has been audited by a qualified professional to ensure standards are maintained.
Is committed to providing at least a reasonable quality of service between 1 and 5 stars.
That we will:
Reassess the site every two to three years based upon a set of regularly updated sustainable development standards
Investigate any complaints received about the environmental performance or commitment of the business.
The GTBS is the national sustainable tourism certification scheme for the UK. Originally developed in partnership with Visit Scotland, it is now the only certification scheme validated by Visit Britain, through the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT).

Businesses opting to join Green Tourism are assessed by a qualified grading advisor against a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas, like energy and water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity and more. Those businesses that meet the required standard, receive a Bronze, Silver, or Gold award based on their level of achievement.

      Orchard cottage has a 4 Star Quality award for self catering    We have a bronze award for Green Tourism

Pam & Nick Gaunt, Sparrow Hall Holliday Cottages, Scrayingham. York, North Yorkshire. YO41 1JE. Tel + (44) 07792026049