Sustainability at West Lexham
Welcome to our eco-friendly paradise, run on +90% renewables and organic principles in a pocket of Norfolk bursting with wildlife. Guided by holistic living, inspired by nature, we aim to tread more lightly on the earth.
We are proudly committed to sustainable values and hope you’ll join us in striving to be kind to the environment.
Here are some of the ways we uphold our sustainable values:
Energy
The heating and hot water is powered by a wood chip biomass boiler, with solar panels helping to provide renewable electricity. All our electrical goods are highly efficient and our taps and shower heads are largely water saving.
Our ethos is to reuse, rebuild and recycle. As you wander around our site, you’ll spot many details that have been repurposed from a former life.
Water
Our delicious drinking water is drawn from a fresh chalk well, available at every tap.
Waste
The biological waste treatment is powered by microorganisms, meaning we don’t use harsh chemicals. For this reason, we are careful to use only organic, natural cleaning products and encourage guests to use the natural soaps and shampoos provided in each property.
Our swimming pool is a natural, chemical free pool that has no chlorine or plants, and more importantly, is healthy and positive for the skin biome and the environment.
Ecology
You’ll find every type of tree and shrub indigenous to the UK growing happily on our 22 acre estate. The ecology of the floating water meadow has earned its title as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with the restoration of our rare chalk stream and surrounding wildlands creating an active habitat for biodiversity.
Our Kitchen Garden uses biodynamic principles and grows organic produce, we welcome visitors so please pop over and find out what we’re growing.
We encourage our guests to consider sustainability during their stay
By making positive choices during your visit you can help to look after West Lexham and our local area ensuring it is just as special on your next visit. Here are a few ways you can help make a conscious choice, and make a small change.
Give the car a rest, car share with others, or use public transport
Leave the car behind, if only for a day. Enjoy the peace and quiet of West Lexham, slow the pace and take in all this site has to offer.
If you wish to explore, unfortunately rural bus services around here are very poor. But there are a few options:
Walk or cycle – Explorewestnorfolk.co.uk offers trails and maps
Bike Hire – Vintage Village Velos based at Abbey Farm at West Acre offer half or full day bike hire. There are lots of lovely quiet lanes and tracks to explore without having to use main roads.
Stay local, eat local, buy local
You can’t get much more local than the produce from our own organic kitchen garden! We are also careful to choose companies and products which are locally and ethically sourced as far as possible. Our Garden Kitchen café works on a zero waste policy.
Here in Norfolk there are some great artisan food, drinks and craft providers. For a quirky experience visit Fakenham market and auction house on a Thursday, or Swaffham on a Saturday, selling everything from fresh bread to second hand lawn mowers. Read our local recommendations.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Reusing, reducing, and recycling rubbish are fundamental principles of sustainable waste management that help reduce an environmental impact and conserve natural resources. Reducing waste involves minimising the amount of waste produced at the source. Reusing, entails finding new ways to use old items instead of discarding them and lastly Recycling involves processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials and reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials. Collectively, these practices help reduce landfill use, lower pollution levels, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions, supporting a healthier planet and sustainable future. We have general and recycling bins around the site, with our main bins located in our Glamping car park.
Be Water Wise
Please use water wisely. Turn off the tap after washing your hands, brushing your teeth and adhere to our towel policy. Please report any leaking taps or toilets to our staff. Our taps and shower heads are largely water saving. We are not on mains water supply but have our own spring water and waste systems, which we must all take care of.
Respect Nature
Help us look after this special landscape and wildlife by leaving no trace of your visit, guarding against fire, looking after plants and animals, keeping dogs under close control and clearing up after your dog. Try to stick to our paths around the site so you don’t disturb our wildlife. Always be considerate to others.
Switch off…and save energy
At West Lexham you can see the stars at night! Help us reduce energy use and CO2 emissions by switching off lights and standby buttons when you don’t need them. Enjoy this dark sky area.
Support Green Businesses
We are proud to be working towards our Gold Green tourism accreditation. This recognises our efforts to support sustainable practices and work alongside like minded businesses. There are thousands of businesses in the UK working to reduce their carbon footprint through the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
“It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest.”
