Sustainability Policy
At Lower Coombe Royal we are constantly striving to find new ways be as sustainable as possible.
Recycling, Water & Waste
Lower Coombe Royal is supplied by mains water, but we also have a well which feeds a 4000-liter tank at the top of our site. The well water is used for the hot tubs and for the showers and toilets in the Glamping Lodges. All our toilets have a dual flush and our showers are fitted with low water pressure settings.
Our wastewater and sewage are handled by two Klargester Water Treatment Plants. The waste treatment plant and well water treatment plant are serviced annually to ensure high water quality. We have a commercial waste contract for recyclable material including cardboard, paper, plastics, tin, glass and food waste. We encourage all our guests to separate and recycle their waste.
We chip as much garden waste as possible and use the wood chip as mulch on our flower beds and paths.
Energy
We have solar panels which provide around 50% of the energy needed for the site. We use low energy LED lights. Our path lights are on light sensors and timers and overnight two out of every three lights are turned off.
Our Glamping Lodges and hot tubs are heated by wood burning stoves. The wood is sourced from a family run business in the South West and is 100% fully sustainable; it is BSL and Woodsure approved. We use our own wood and kindling for our campfire area. We also use natural firelighters.
Cleaning & Household Products
We only use Ecover, Method, Smol or similar ecological products for cleaning. We buy large 5 litre containers and refill where possible. Our toilet roll is supplied by Who Gives a Crap and is made from recycled paper. We no longer provide clingfilm or sandwich bags.
The blankets & rugs in our Glamping Lodges are from a local company,Weaver Green and they are made from recycled plastic bottles.
We use washable kitchen cloths as well as washable pot scrubbers/scourers.
All our tea bags are biodegradable. We buy our coffee pods from the Wonky Coffee Company who rescue surplus coffee pods that would otherwise have been wasted.
We have glass bottles of vinegar and oil which we refill.
To be as sustainable as possible we ask all guests which beds they need making up, so that we don’t waste unnecessary bedding.
Locally Sourced Produce
The products in our welcome packs are all sourced locally including Burts Crisps, Heron Valley Apple Juice, South Devon Chilli Farm Chilli Jam and Voyager Coffee.
We aim to actively promote other local businesses and suppliers by recommendations in our Digital Welcome Guides and on social media.
Beach Toys
We have a supply of buckets and spades, body boards and other beach toys which can be borrowed by guests throughout their stay.
Wildlife & Gardens
Our extensive gardens and woods make staying at Lower Coombe Royal a unique experience for all our guests. The gardens have more than a hundred varieties of red, pink and white camellia and many rhododendrons - some over 50 foot high! In the woods you will find a wonderful collection of native trees as well as silver fir, eucalyptus, a Japanese elm, a Judas tree, an enormous Magnolia and a huge Thuja. There is always something to catch the eye throughout the seasons, from winter berries to spring bulbs and apple blossom, summer flowers to flaming autumn Japanese maples.
The gardens and woods are full of wildlife - a resident buzzard, deer and fox families, rabbits, squirrels, woodpeckers, owls and jays. A series of paths take guests on an ever-changing journey around the grounds, from the formal garden to the lawns, the orchard to the woods and the American Garden to the ponds, it's truly a voyage of discovery.
Guests can enjoy a peaceful stroll around the grounds, relax in the water gardens and enjoy watching the birds and ducks to the sound of the stream running by, or simply sit on one of the wooden benches dotted around the gardens, soaking up the views and seasonal colour.
Public Transport & Vehicles
Lower Coombe Royal is accessible by public transport. There is a regular bus service that stops near the end of the drive, which goes to the train station in Totnes. There are also regular local buses to various local towns and villages including Salcombe and Dartmouth. Lower Coombe Royal is only a 10-minute walk into the bustling market town of Kingsbridge.
There are EV charging stations in Tesco and at the Quay car park in Kingsbridge. The nearest ultra-rapid charging points are located at Buckfastleigh on the A38 Devon Expressway where there are 16 dedicated charging points.
Charity Work
We support St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth by taking part in their Open Garden scheme. We have raised over £10,000 so far. We have also donated stays in our lodges for a number of raffles/auctions.
