The importance of looking after the environment is increasing daily, and Whittlebury Park is taking meaningful strides to contribute to a more sustainable future. As an estate nestled in the heart of Northamptonshire, Whittlebury is committed to not only preserving its 700 acres but also ensuring that it operates effectively so that it may thrive for decades to come.
We are working hard to make conscious, mindful changes, reducing carbon emissions to enhancing biodiversity, and the estate is making its first decisive steps towards sustainability, with a clear vision to protect land and resources. What follows are some of the ways in which we are attempting to lead the way in local sustainability.
Looking towards a greener future
One of the cornerstones of Whittlebury Park’s sustainability journey is its zero-waste-to-landfill commitment. Every aspect of waste management on the estate has been carefully considered to minimise the environmental impact. We are proud to be a zero waste to landfill estate, we recycle everything from glass and paper to waste cooking oils, and even our food waste is converted on site into a bio-fuel.
We believe we can achieve our energy goals through use of renewable energy and a focus on energy efficiency, which will both reduce utility costs and greenhouse gas emissions from our estate by around 900 tons of CO2 within the next 24 months. LED lighting and energy saving light bulbs with motion sensors are installed throughout our 700-acre estate.
And sustainability doesn’t stop at energy. Whittlebury Park has also implemented a range of water conservation initiatives, crucial for reducing the estate’s overall environmental impact. We have created 14 fresh water lakes on the estate which are used to irrigate the golf course and provide a habitat for wildlife. We are in the process of installing rainwater harvesting systems for our buildings and water saving devices are installed throughout for all toilets and taps and we manage a heat recovery system on our waste water too. These forward-thinking water management practices reflect our commitment to both environmental stewardship and maintaining the health of its landscape.
And that’s not all…
Sustainability at Whittlebury Park isn’t just about infrastructure, it extends to our dining tables. The estate takes pride in sourcing local, seasonal ingredients, reducing food miles while supporting the regional economy. From our own 35-day aged beef to Northamptonshire goats’ cheese, the estate’s kitchens are stocked with carefully sourced produce from trusted local suppliers. This farm-to-table approach ensures that guests enjoy high-quality meals while minimising the estate’s carbon footprint.
The estate is also a haven for wildlife. Across our 700 acres we have created four nature reserves and planted over 25,000 tree saplings and have an ongoing wildflower programme in place creating natural habitats. Our groundkeeping team are dedicated to ensuring all the wildlife on our estate is protected, log pile habitats are constantly being created with fallen wood which help insects, birds, bats and much more.
In addition, we currently have six 22kw car chargers installed in our atrium car park for guest use. These charging points are supplied by EV Dot, a leading independent charge point solution.
A strong local partnership
Based on the edge of the village of Whittlebury, we have a strong relationship with our local community. We work very closely with local food banks, turning the produce they receive into meals for those in need. In addition to this, over the last couple of years we have worked with Food 4 Heroes to produce 2,500 Christmas meals each year for those in need over the festive season. We assisted in funding the Whittlebury Good Neighbour Scheme, which provides help for villagers such as older people, those with disabilities, new mothers, or the isolated, whether that’s needing a lift to a doctor’s appointment or a hospital outpatient appointment, help with a food shop, collecting a prescription, help with connecting with other neighbours or something as simple as changing a light bulb. We actively recruit local staff of all ages, and regularly support local schools, sports clubs and other charitable enterprises. Whittlebury Park has firmly become a key part of the local community since our inception in 1992. We are particularly proud of our support to hundreds of local charities, schools and churches by providing vouchers for them to raise money via raffle prizes or to auction.
Whittlebury Park’s efforts toward sustainability represent a vital first step in a long journey. From renewable energy and water conservation to supporting local wildlife and community projects, we strive to keep pushing forward in our sustainability efforts.
For us, sustainability isn’t just about preserving our stunning countryside acres, it’s about creating a legacy that will benefit both its visitors and the land for years to come. As the estate continues on its path toward net-zero, its commitment to environmental safety remains stronger than ever before.
These initial steps mark the beginning of a larger movement at Whittlebury Park, one that embraces innovation, community and sustainability at every turn.
Find out more about sustainability at Whittlebury Park or visit the website.
