Go greener on England's Coast: Our best coastal staycations

Why take a coastal staycation? England is home to a stunning and diverse range of landscapes, the coast itself changes from long sandy beaches to stark white chalk cliffs, undulating dunes to secluded coves . While many people are used to finding the sublime abroad, you’ll be surprised what can be found closer to home. 

A staycation offers environmental benefits that shouldn't be ignored. Reducing our carbon emissions is vital in avoiding climate breakdown and flying is the quickest way an individual can raise their carbon footprint, and by a lot! Taking the train instead of a plane can cut emissions by as much as 90%, it’s a great way to travel, without the stress of flying and often leads to great views as you traverse the landscape.

So if you want to reduce your carbon footprint, why not plan a trip to the coast? For the lowest impact consider combining a train journey with cycling. Below is a list of some of the top coastal retreats that champion sustainability or have an eco- friendly vibe.

Green House Hotel, Bournemouth
Lovely, stylish hotel with sound eco-credentials in a great location, a short walk from the seafront and the town centre. This Grade II listed Victorian villa has been beautifully renovated: the comfortable rooms have organic toiletries, top-of-range TVs and ipod docks - low energy - as well as free filtered water and homemade biscuits. The environmental standards are very high here, with stylish wooden furniture from sustainable sources, solar-heated water, and much of the electricity generated on site - they even have their own beehives on the roof. There's also an excellent restaurant that uses locally sourced seasonal and organic ingredients.

The Cary Arms & Spa, Devon
Approached by a wooded corniche road, Lana de Savary’s hotel stands above the beach, overlooking the Teign estuary. In recent years it has taken long strides towards sustainability and social responsibility. Landfill waste is down by some 70 percent. A state-of-the-art filtration system produces still and sparkling mineral-quality water. LED lighting with movement sensors, and a car charging point, have been introduced. An aqueous ozone generator has replaced bleach. Garden waste is recycled in unused woodland using the centuries-old heap rotation system. Even the wines are from sustainable sources, with £3 a case donated to charities committed to turning the tide on plastic. 

Patty’s Barn, situated on the edge of Morecambe Bay
This collection of ten self-catering cottages sleeping up to 54 people offers the great outdoors in a beautiful coastal setting. This fourth generation of farmers have renovated two agricultural barns into 10, lovely four-star self-catering cottages. Their focus is on preserving the natural environment, planting trees to establish new woodlands and areas of conservation and to encourage habitat for the local wildlife and eco-systems. They plan to build a community of loyal and diverse visitors who want to experience rural Britain at its best. Patty’s Barn has been converted to produce renewable energy by anaerobic digestion at Cockerham Green Energy and the onsite car and fly fishery, Cockerham Quarry Fishing.

Yoga-Spice, Yorkshire Coast
Spend time at Valley View reconnecting with the natural world. For 2022 they’re offering a number of wellness packages for individuals, couples or friends staying in their garden room or en-suite cabin. They use home-grown organic produce offering vegan or vegetarian meals and focus on getting back to nature, walk along the cliff path overlooking Robin Hood’s Bay and relax!

Here are some more of our favourite places to stay around England's Coast on your next staycation.

Pot-a-doodle-do Wigwams, Northumberland Coast
27 wooden wigwams, three canvas yurts situated minutes from Cocklawburn Beach near Berwick upon Tweed. All wigwams are double-glazed with panel heaters to keep cosy and warm. These are dog friendly, include TVs, and some are en-suite. Mini-moon package for honeymoons, sheepskin rugs, fairy lights, chocolates, sparkling wine, campfire are all available. Yurts are well-insulated with pine floors, panel heaters, thick mattresses. Site offers BBQ huts, licensed restaurant, pottery painting, shop, play area, fishing lake. 

Nearby: Lindisfarne tidal island, Bamburgh Castle, Berwick upon Tweed. 

Wallsend Glamping Pods, Cumbria Coast
Five luxury eco-pods, en-suite, heated towel rail and electric heating. Wood-fired hot tub for additional £30, fire pits, bottles of Prosecco (£15) and wine (£12) can be supplied. TV, free Wi-Fi.

Nearby: Drumburgh Moss Nature Reserve, in winter see geese, black-headed gulls and maybe hen harriers roosting. Enjoy the new Solway Coast Path and Solway Dunes, an SSI. Hire a private indoor pool and hot tub at Foxes Poole Kirkbride, take an alpaca for a walk!

Bell Tent Glamping at Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass
Get away from it all and discover the freedom of wild glamping at Muncaster Castle. Tucked away in a quiet wooded corner of the 77-acre Muncaster Estate, this small, back-to-nature glamping site offers unlimited access to everything Muncaster and the local area has to offer. 

The glamping experience allows you to enjoy the simpler things in life as you unwind and relax around your campfire. The five metre canvas bell tents can accommodate up to 4 guests. Each bell tent is equipped with wooden framed beds with a mattress, cosy wood burning stove, solar powered lighting, cooking equipment, and tableware. Outside is your own fire pit, campfire kettle, and  picnic table. Dutch ovens and campfire frying pans are available for a small hire charge. Each bell tent has access to a composting loo, rustic shower, basic washing-up facilities and a freezer in which to refresh your freezer blocks. 

Tapnell Farm, Isle of Wight
Eco lodges beautiful Safari Tents, Cabins, Modulogs, Pods and Domes, all nestled away in the glorious surroundings of Tapnell Farm, on the Isle of Wight. Stunning sea views, space to roam, and sandy beaches nearby create the perfect farm stay for an adventurous family holiday, relaxing group get together, and even a romantic hideaway.

New this winter – activity fun days. Every Friday (Crafty Rascals) & Monday (Tapnell Tots) during term time, enjoy extra fun activities to entertain the little ones. Closed Christmas and Boxing Day.

The Modulogs were designed specifically for Tapnell Farm, making them unique to Eco Lodge guests. These cosy accommodation pods are fully insulated and kitted out with heaters, comfy sofas (which fold out into sofa beds), log burners, dining tables.

Cuckoo Down Farm, near Sidmouth, Devon
Enjoy a relaxing holiday in one of four beautifully decorated safari lodges, some with hot tubs or two yurts for relaxed glamping. Experience the fun of the farm which includes ponies, chickens, campfires and 30 acres of unspoilt meadows plus Forest School activities in their three-acre oak and bluebell wood. Each tent has compost loo, campfire, hot shower in tents and wooden floors.

Safari Cornwall
Relax in a hot tub, sleep in high-quality king-size bed in one of two Shepherd’s huts with log burner. Big Blue horse lorry conversion with wood-burning hot tub with Bertha the shower trailer and en-suite loo.

Set in an orchard on working small holding near Wadebridge, North Cornwall surrounded by fields of sheep, alpaca, horses and goats. Explore pubs and restaurants of Polzeath and Port Isaac. Book a Cornish Food Box full of local produce for your arrival.

Happy Days, Suffolk Coast
Happy Days, a vintage glamping site near Saxmundham 10 minutes from the Suffolk Coast. 

Eight stunning refurbished vintage American Streamline vans. There’s even Escape rooms for games. The vintage wooden Red Shed is an onsite cinema showing classic family-friendly films. 

Humble Bee Farm, Yorkshire Coast
Set in the heart of a working stock and arable farm among the peaceful Yorkshire Wolds, Humble Bee Farm includes three luxurious Wigwam Lodges with hot tubs, four Running Water Deluxe cabins with woodfired hot tubs, 16 'Big Chief' Wigwams, four Nomadic Yurts, a selection of Bell Tents, a small yet peaceful campsite and three holiday cottages. 

You can order Wigwam extras - anything from a fire bowl and marshmallows to bottle of bubbly to fresh local bacon! Humble Bee Farm also has an extensive event calendar each year including Lambing and Calving Weekends, nature events, Halloween, Bonfire and Easter. 

From cycling to local gin tasting, check out these great things to do on your next coastal staycation.

Shed 1 Distillery, Ulverston
Run by husband-and-wife team, Andy & Zoe Arnold-Bennett who produce high quality, award-winning Gins, Gin Elixirs and Gin Marmalades and visitors can enjoy Distillery Tours & Gin Tastings, Botanical-inspired Afternoon G&Teas and they offer Cumbria's only Make Your Own Gin Experiences. 

As well as awards for their classically distilled gins, the distillery was shortlisted in The World Gin Awards (2021) Best Visitor Attraction and they have won The Gin Guide's, Environmental Sustainability Award for two years running (2020 & 2021). They promote their net zero sustainability initiatives such as water saving system and cardboard shredder, they also offset the carbon footprint of the botanicals and support humanitarian projects.  

Muncaster Castle, Cumbria
Something a bit different, Muncaster Castle at Ravenglass has launched ‘Bugingham Palace’ where insects can thrive, beautiful and great for children. They are also working on a new Eco Barn – details coming soon.

Cumbria – Cycleway
The Lakes & Dales Loop cycle route allows people to get up close to Cumbria’s spectacular landscapes. Using quiet country lanes, the route takes in the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Eden Valley, Morecambe Bay, and West Cumbria. 196 circular cycle route.

Morecambe Bay’s Electric Bike Network
Explore Morecambe Bay’s stunning landscape with an electric bike and supercharge your legs – perfect for exploring the villages, countryside and coastline of this Lancashire region. Experience amazing sunsets on one of Britain’s most beautiful yet undiscovered coastlines.

White Cliffs Country, Kent

This region – with more than 20 miles of coastline - has developed a host of green tourism experiences, you’ll be spoilt for choice! 

Go seafood foraging for a gourmet feast on the coast, savour a shellfish picnic on a cycle ride with The Wild Kitchen in Deal, improve your health and well-being with a Primal Retreat in St Margaret’s Bay or head to the beach in Deal to join in beach yoga or Tai Chi; you’ll truly leave only footprints.

Getting married? For the ultimate romantic gesture, design and make your own wedding bands at a jewellery workshop with Rees and Rees in Deal.

Read more on responsible travel at White Cliffs Country here - and the area’s unique experiences here