Environmental Policy

Wildlife

Both Robert and Sheila are passionate about wildlife and looking after their environment. At Cambridge House there is a bird feeding station, a collection of different types of nest boxes, bug hotels and two hedgehog houses. There are two ponds, the smaller one being a wildlife pond.

We do not use any pesticides and garden organically. 

We promote the Countryside Code and remind visitors that the Yorkshire Dales National Park is a very environmentally sensitive area which supports many rare species of flora and fauna

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Reduce:

All our rubbish is sorted to maximise the recyclable content and reduce our general waste which is taken to Allerton waste recovery where it is processed to produce energy.

We don’t use cling film but use reusable storage containers.

Instead of individual cereal boxes, cereals are bought in bulk then decanted into jars.

Our milk is delivered in glass milk bottles which are washed and reused rather than plastic bottles. 

Jams, marmalades and condiments are decanted into individual dishes as required.

Guests’ packed lunches are packed in cardboard and paper to minimise non-biodegradable waste.

We avoid the use of single use plastics, non-biodegradable wrappers and containers, manmade fabrics and general waste which would add to landfill.

Guests are reminded to dispose of all rubbish responsibly. 

Recycle:

All our paper, cardboard, glass, tin, aluminium and recyclable plastic is collected and recycled by Richmond District Council as is any garden or green waste. 

We buy paper products, such as printer paper or toilet rolls, made from recycled paper.

Any unwanted furniture, soft furnishings or linen are sent to charities to be recycled or re-used.

Reuse:

Our rooms feature quality, antique, furniture acquired from local auction houses.

Bed linen and towels are sent to charities once they are too worn for our use.

Some towels and cotton shirts are used as dusters and cleaning cloths.

We refill and re-use trigger spray cleaning bottles from 5l containers.

Any plastic containers acquired when buying food are used as storage containers.

Energy

Our heating systems are run on oil with a log fire in the lounge as we can’t access a renewable energy source or have room for a biomass boiler. 

The hot water system is supplemented by solar panels. 

The radiators in guest rooms have thermostatic valves which can be used to regulate the heating. The rooms are only centrally heated when occupied.

All windows are double glazed. 

All curtains have thermal, blackout linings.

Cambridge House has more than the recommended loft insulation but the stone walls of the 1914 building cannot be cavity wall insulated.

Energy consumption is monitored by a Smart Meter.

The light bulbs throughout Cambridge House are all LED low energy. 

We ask guests to turn lights off when they leave their room.

The main lights are turned off between 10.00pm-7.00am and outside lights are on a motion sensor.

We buy AA AA+ energy efficient appliances when replacements are needed.

Our car is a plug-in hybrid.

Water

We aim to be as efficient as possible to reduce waste by having energy efficient appliances and ask that guests do the same by making sure taps are turned off and excessively deep baths are avoided. 

The tap water in your room is drinkable, so to reduce plastic waste, we don’t supply water in plastic bottles. We do supply filtered tap water in reusable glass bottles.

Nearly all toilets are dual flush to reduce the volume of water used.

The showers are not electric but feed off the pressurised hot water system and have showers heads that are designed to maximise the pressure but reduce the flow.  

Rain water is collected for watering the plants.

Food

Food is sourced from local producers and suppliers to keep our food miles to a minimum and to support the local economy. 

Many items are homemade.

Our dogs enjoy any leftover food scraps such as sausages.

Guests are asked to pre-order breakfast to minimise waste as all food is provided to order. 

Leftover fruit, yogurt and milk is eaten by ourselves.

Transport

You can leave your car in the car park and access miles of tracks straight from Cambridge House or you can take The Little White bus up to Keld or to Richmond to explore the area further. 

Darlington is a main station on the East Coast main line and is connected to Richmond by a frequent bus service. 

Linen and towels

Guest bed linen is laundered in Reeth by a small, local company in line with government guidelines. Guest towels, protectors and bathrobes are laundered by us on site to government guidelines using environmentally friendly detergents and, when possible, air dried to reduce energy consumption. Towels and bed linen are changed every four nights but we are happy to change them more frequently if needed which reduces water, energy and detergent consumption.

Bathrobes are made of mixed fibres which makes them fast drying.

Housekeeping

We use environmentally friendly cleaning products from the Ecover or BioD ranges where appropriate but to meet the government coronavirus protocol, we have to use anti-viral cleaning liquids which meet BS EN 14776. We buy 5l containers to reduce plastic waste.

We use microfiber cleaning cloths which are washed at a high temperature, disinfected and reused.

We don’t use plastic coated ‘wet wipes’.

Toiletries

Guests are provided with luxury toiletries by Noble Isle which are made in Chester, are cruelty free, vegan and free from nasty chemicals such as parabens. 

Crockery

We support the British pottery industry by ensuring that all crockery is manufactured in Stoke-on-Trent including Dudson tableware and Emma Bridgewater mugs.

Local community and charities

We support Swaledale Mountain Rescue, Great North Air Ambulance and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance by having collection tins in reception.

We display a ‘Loose Change Box’ for collections towards Reeth Community Bus.

We support the R.S.P.B. by selling pin badges.

Our book exchange donations support Swaledale Mountain Rescue and The Reeth Community Bus.

Sheila’s marmalade is sold and all profits are donated to Swaledale Mountain Rescue or Reeth Community Bus.

Cambridge House is a Friend of Swaledale Museum in Reeth.

We support Swaledale Festival.

Cambridge House is a ‘Friend of the Dales’ and a member of the Yorkshire Dales Society.

We support The Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond.

We promote local shops, producers, pubs, cafes and restaurants to our guests.

We aim to ‘shop local’ whenever possible whether for food, furniture, fittings or flowers.

We support local businesses such as painter and decorator, gardener, web designers, electricians and plumbers.

We recognise that cash flow is important to small businesses and so ensure that invoices are paid promptly.