Environmental Quality Mark

Candlelight Cottage: “Investing in the environment and actively promoting the products, attractions and traditions of the Peak District.”

Background

Formally a village shop and before that, two separate cottages, Candlelight Cottage has been recently renovated to provide luxury self catering accommodation in the heart of the Peak District National Park. Situated in a conservation area, we are keen to minimise our own impact on the local environment, whilst actively supporting those businesses, which protect the environment and local wildlife for future generations.

What is the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark and what is its importance to Candlelight Cottage?

Dovedale The Peak District Environmental Quality Mark (PDEQM) is an award, which recognizes businesses, which have adopted good environmental practices and contribute to the conservation of the Peak District National Park.

People visit the Peak District because of its beauty. By adopting a responsible environmental policy, we are trying to help keep it that way. Our guests judge us on the quality of the welcome and services we provide. Involvement in the PDEQM has allowed us to add goods and services, which enhance our customers’ stay with us. An example of this is our link with another PDEQM business, Tindalls of Tideswell. We purchase local specialities such as Wakes cakes and Thar cakes from Tindalls, to put in our welcome basket.

One of the many orchids found in the Peak District We believe that by participating in the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark Scheme, we can improve the quality and variety of our visitors’ holiday experiences in the following ways:

Reducing the impact of our business on the environment to help preserve the beauty of the National Park.
Introducing guests to locally made products, unique to the area.
Promoting businesses and schemes that aim to conserve the special features of the Peak District National Park.

Whilst only a small business, there are many ways in which we can reduce our environmental impact. We have already put into place a waste and recycling policy and have begun an energy saving programme.

Here are some of the areas in which action is being taken

Waste

We recycle glass, paper, cans, plastic, cardboard and used printer cartridges
To reduce packaging waste, we buy in bulk and use refills when possible
Where appropriate, we purchase recycled products
We conduct our business by e-mail and telephone as much as we can to minimise paper use.

Energy

The boiler, gas stove and AGA are serviced annually to ensure maximum efficiency and safety
Windows are double glazed with additional draft proofing
Shutters and thermal linings on curtains help reduce drafts and heat loss
We monitor our energy usage to help identify potential savings
Individual radiators can be adjusted
Where possible, as they break, we replace traditional bulbs with their energy efficient equivalents
All of our laundry is dried naturally to save energy.

Water

A shower is available as a water saving option to a bath
We encourage guests to use “economy” settings on appliances
An ‘A’ or ‘B’ grade dishwasher and washing machine have been fitted.

Purchasing

Our welcome packs include locally sourced products from other EQM businesses
We try to purchase products with little or no packaging
The cottage was renovated and is maintained by local builders and tradesmen. Wherever possible we use local suppliers of raw materials to minimise the environmental impact of transportation
A bird feeder, bird box and thoughtful planting encourage butterflies and birds into the garden.

Information

Folders are provided for guests with information on:

Public transport
Local walks (maps are available)
Cycle hire facilities
Environmentally aware businesses in the Peak District
Local products and attractions
Peak Park and National Trust conservation and fund raising initiatives eg. “Friends of the Peak District”