Sustainability Policy

Combermere Abbey is a truly exceptional place, an environmental gem. Its large mere, ancient woodland and historic parkland all form part of a breath-taking natural habitat, rich in flora and fauna. The estate history is almost 900 years old, with a number of important historic properties, an organic farm, a solar park and business park in redundant farm buildings.

At Combermere Abbey, we are passionate about the environment, its protection, enhancement and long-term sustainability. We recognise the importance of preserving our environment for future generations as well as making it available to a wider public on a managed recreational and educational basis.

We continuously strive to balance the impact of a visitor-based tourism and events business with our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute positively to the wider community. Our team aims to conserve natural resources by ensuring the responsible use of energy, water and materials whilst maintaining and exceeding the expected quality levels of our guests.

Combermere Abbey is a member or participant in a number of important organisations promoting rural tourism and sustainable, responsible hospitality. They include PASC, EASCO, CLA and Tourism Alliance, Historic Houses, Cheshire East Rural Strategy group and the Cheshire Estates Group.

We are taking measures that are reasonably practicable to:

Adopt a policy of ‘green procurement’, taking environmental factors into account in all purchasing and supplier contracts using where possible local suppliers, artists and retailers and incorporating organic and fair trade products when available. Products produced from our unique Fruit Tree Maze are included in our breakfast hampers, these include jams and apple juice.

Reduce waste at source and recycling paper, cardboard, plastic, and glass.

Use environmentally friendly cleaning products where possible, utilising micro-fibre cloths that minimise the need for cleaning products.

Reduce water and detergent use by weekly washing of bed linen and towels at the local laundry, recently given a Green Laundry Award. For longer stays guests are invited to let us know on arrival if they require an additional linen change.

Adopt the practice of responsible and efficient energy management to reduce consumption in all our operations. Introduction of low energy lighting.

Encourage guests to remain on the estate for a day during their stay, offering walks for their use. Each cottage has a ‘Blue Book’ of information regarding local walks, cycle routes, places to eat and local markets and festivals.

Guests are encouraged to walk to the Old Piggery Café at the estate business park.

Undertake rain and grey water harvesting for recycling in The Glasshouse, our restored greenhouse and wedding venue.

Operate a reed bed sewage system for dirty water, and use no chemicals in our fruit tree maze, walled gardens.

Work with and support our local community and disadvantaged groups in the wider community. We offer tours of the Abbey, estate walks in bluebell season, host countryside and environmental groups, and participate in annual flora and wildfowl counts.

We work closely with our local agricultural college to use our woodland for specific training courses.

We supply logs for the fires and wood burning stoves from our own estate woodland.

Maintain a non-smoking environment in any of our buildings, and offer guests designated outdoor smoking areas.

Improve the energy efficiency of the listed buildings by introducing secondary glazing and improving loft area insulation with natural products.

We are actively involved in Natural England projects: the HLS scheme, SSSI monitoring, wildfowl counts, water quality monitoring.

We use re-cycled or sustainably grown paper in our marketing material, writing paper and recycle office equipment and items such as cartridges. We use a central ordering system.

Installation of an EV charger for electric cars at the North Wing bed and breakfast. There is a second EV charger at the Parkview Business Park.

We operate a sustainable woodland policy, replanting areas to suit different requirements. Replacement of ancient woodland and participation in the Queens Green Canopy project.

The Abbey’s North Wing Bed and Breakfast includes the introduction of water-source heating systems, low energy lighting, increased insulation and energy-efficient lighting and heating.

We encourage our guests to adopt 5 small steps with big impact:

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Limit purchase with unnecessary packaging, separate rubbish and use our recycling bins. Report maintenance issues promptly to the Housekeeper.

2. Stay Local, Eat Local, Buy Local, See Local: Enjoy walking, cycling and outdoor activities by staying on the estate or the nearby routes. Buy souvenirs and gifts from local producers and artists. Support the local economy by visiting local pubs and restaurants, farm shops and eateries. Enjoy the wealth of historic properties, gardens and attractions in Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and North Wales. See What’s On section of the website & cottage information books for details.

3. Reduce the carbon footprint: Spend a day on the Estate –enjoy picnics, birdwatching, painting, fishing on the mere, walking in the woods, walk to estate café, take a DVD from our complimentary library. Give the car a holiday as well.

4. Chill out and switch off: Turn off taps, switch off lights and equipment and close curtains to minimise heat loss during winter months, when leaving a room or cottage. Enjoy a moonlight walk through the gardens and adjoining wood.

5. Follow the Countryside Code: A reminder to protect and respect the estate and enjoy its beauty, but do not litter or allow dogs to foul public areas. Respect our dog policy. Leave gates as found and do not stray into areas designated as private and no entry – Combermere is a working farm and it is for your own protection and safety.

We welcome any feedback and suggestions on how we can improve our sustainability and your enjoyment.

Our environmental standards will be annually reviewed and updated, and an annual upgrade plan for each cottages is scheduled as part of our annual maintenance plan.