At Copper Beech Glamping, sustainability sits at the heart of the business.
Since 2020, Steve and Tabitha have been running the campsite with a focus on biodiversity, close collaboration with local suppliers, and active support for the surrounding community. Find out more about their journey below…
Knightley House Farm is a small mixed livestock farm on the Staffordshire/Shropshire border. Steve runs the farm, and Tabitha had until recently been teaching in the land-based sector. In 2020 we opened Copper Beech Glamping.
We’re lucky to live in a peaceful, rural location and wanted to give others the opportunity to experience it. We considered several options, looking for something that would run alongside the existing farm business, finally settling on glamping with its relatively low set up cost and the ability to grow and evolve over time.
Copper Beech Glamping is a small adults-only luxury glampsite with a focus on sustainability and locality. Each unit is fully self-contained with log burner, private patio, BBQ, hot tub/outdoor bath.
Stepping away from your everyday life to relax and feel restored is no longer seen as an indulgence; rather it has become a necessary safety valve in our fast-paced world. We encourage guests to come and contemplate life at a slower pace.
For us, it wasn’t a case of looking at ways to make an existing business more sustainable. Sustainability was core to the business from the very start. Incorporating sustainable elements was important to us and was a natural part of the business development. We wanted to demonstrate to guests the small changes they could make in their own lives. Slowing down and taking time to appreciate the world around us are key elements of the business.
When choosing suppliers, we prioritise small, local businesses that share our values. We understand that sustainability is not just about planting flowers, but about balancing people, planet and profit to ensure long-term viability. We have implemented a range of actions to support this approach, and encourage guests to adopt similar practices at home.
Encouraging biodiversity
We have planted of a wildflower and pollinator meadow and over 300 native hedging plants, and extensive planting around the units designed to attract pollinators. A ‘long grass’ policy is maintained across most of the site throughout spring and summer, alongside bird feeding stations, a dedicated wildlife area with an insect hotel, hedgehog house and bee feeding station. We avoid the use of chemicals and artificial fertilisers.
Reducing waste
Guests are provided with recycling facilities and encouraged to use them. We operate a composter and wormery for food waste, supply items in reillable or non-plastic packaging, and prioritise upcycling, repurposing, and buying second-hand wherever possible.
Reducing food miles
Meat for breakfast and BBQ packs are produced on the farm where possible, or sourced from our local butcher. Guests are encouraged to use produce from our vegetable patch, including salad, herbs and soft fruit, and eggs are supplied by our onsite hens, alongside other local produce.
Chemicals and pollution
All cleaning products and toiletries are eco-friendly and sourced from a local plastic-free shop. Guests can borrow bikes to explore the area sustainably. No chemical fertilisers or weed control are used on site, and a three-stage sewage treatment plant ensures wastewater is processed into clean water.
Reducing utility usage
Solar panels supply electricity to guest accommodation where possible. Rainwater is harvested to water the plants on site, and usage is carefully monitored.
Local community and engagement
We support local independent businesses and encourage guests to explore nearby shops, markets and experiences such as alpaca trekking, cookery schools and craft workshops. We also share sustainability information through posters, books, our website and social media, and support national and international awareness days.
Looking back, we are proud of what we have achieved in five years, transforming a field into a thriving business largely through our own work. Guest feedback has been incredibly rewarding, including comments such as “the best stay ever in the UK.”
More recently, we were honoured to receive Gold status from Green Tourism. For a micro business, external validation provides reassurance that we are on the right path.
At Copper Beech Glamping we care about our community, our guests and our planet. Going forward, we aim to continue championing sustainability practices, reducing our environmental impact, supporting our local community and of course… maintaining our Gold status!
