The hotel has been given a Silver Award from Green Tourism, the largest and most established sustainable certification programme in the world.

Staff at the hotel have worked hard over the last 11 months to reduce the impact of the business on the environment, reducing its carbon footprint and improving links with the local community, all of which has been recognised and singled out for praise from Green Tourism. 

A Green Tourism Award denotes the responsibility, ethics, and sustainable credentials of a business, along with recognising their contributions to the local community. Stonehouse Court Hotel has put forth a cohesive effort to reduce its impact on the environment, with the aim of being fully accessible and inclusive to all visitors and staff. Businesses that meet the required standard receive a Bronze, Silver or Gold award based on their level of achievement.  Stonehouse Court achieved a 75% Silver Grading.

To achieve accreditation, Stonehouse Court Hotel was graded on-site by a qualified Assessor against a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas such as energy and water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity and social involvement and communication. Stonehouse Court Hotel has been particularly successful in embedding its sustainability strategy throughout the organisation through staff training and regular Green meetings.   Its waste management programme has seen a dramatic reduction in land fill, single use plastic and food waste; the move to refillable Eco Boutique toiletries alone has reduced plastic toiletry bottle waste by approximately 35,000 bottles per annum. The hotel has also moved to 100% certified renewable electricity, uses widespread internal and external LED lighting, is rolling out a programme of motion sensors and has designed a “Pass on a Clean” scheme which rewards customers for helping to reducing environmental impact.  

Other initiatives in reducing the hotel’s carbon footprint have included creation of a kitchen garden, producing fresh produce for the restaurant, local jams and honey and a push towards more local suppliers.  The business has also improved its guest information to aid responsible travel, facilitating water efficiency, car free travel information, encouraging exploration of the local area through it “fabulous things to see and do around Stroud”, walking routes, bike hire and links with Cotswold Canals. Alongside this, encouraging biodiversity has also been key with the creation of a “Bug Hotel”, a wildflower garden and implementing bird boxes in the woods alongside encouraging guest to spot wildlife on their visit and a seasonal wildlife competition.

Stonehouse Court has also forged new links with the community through working with The Access Bike Project, Stroud, which helps young people learn new skills, its “Pass of a Clean” Community Fund which raises money for good causes, hosting Charity events for “The Door” Youth project and a Charity Ball in aid of Diabetes UK.

Owner Sarah Brewster said: “We are delighted to have achieved our Silver Award and be recognised for our efforts to reduce our environmental impact which is becoming more and more vital.  The team have worked incredibly hard to reach the required standard and we are excited about driving forward to achieve our GOLD award in 2020”

Green Tourism Assessor Stuart said: “Since the initial assessment there have been significant improvements made.  The business is now in a good position to target the GOLD award in the near future.”