Environmental Statement

Headland Cottage is situated on the Aberporth peninsular with frontline beach views to the front of the property and dramatic views of Cardigan Bay from the rear terrace. The immediate environment is protected coastline providing habitat for a huge variety of rare animals, birds and or course sea-life including the famous resident pods of Bottlenose Dolphins. As well as the coast-path on the doorstep, the cottage is a few miles from the peaceful Teifi Estuary, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Pembrokeshire National Park.

We are doing all we can to minimise our impact on the environment and we would like to thank all of our guests for your consideration and support.

Before arrival guests will be provided information on:

• Our new electric charging point!
• Public transport
• Local walks (maps are available)
• Cycle hire facilities
• Environmentally aware businesses in Pembrokeshire & Ceredigion.
• Local products and attractions
• Information supporting the local RNLI and conservation groups including the Sea Watch Foundation.

We encourage our guests to help by:

• Considering travel options – if you have an electric vehicle we offer a free charging point.
• Trying to conserve energy whenever possible.
• Closing shutters and blinds to keep warmth in the cottage on cold evenings.
• Using the correct recycling bags provided.
• Using local products and services.
• Monitoring local wildlife (recording dolphin sightings).
• Taking part in local initiatives such as the Aberporth beach clean.
• Providing feedback.

We can improve the quality and variety of our visitors’ holiday experiences for a sustainable holiday in Wales, by implementing our environmental policy, in the following ways:

• Reducing the impact of our business on the environment to help preserve the beauty of the surrounding areas.
• Introducing guests to locally made products, unique to the area, providing a sense of place and cultural appreciation of West Wales.
• Promoting businesses and schemes that aim to conserve the special features of the area.
• Below are just some of the areas in which action is directly being taken to reduce, reuse and recycle.

• To reduce the amount of packaging waste we have, we buy in bulk and use refills when possible. We have recently changed all of our products including washing liquid, shower and hand gels to Splosh.
• We purchase recycled products and we wash and reuse items where ever possible.
• Glass, paper, cans, plastic, and cardboard are recycled and rubbish left by guests is sorted to avoid contamination.
• We minimise our paper usage in all of our processes and use Apps, e-mail and the good old telephone!

• Windows are double glazed with additional draft proofing.
• Shutters and blinds help reduce drafts and heat loss.
• Energy-efficient underfloor heating with adjustable temperature settings.
• Energy-efficient lighting.
• The wood supplied for the log burner and pizza oven is from our land.
• Electric charging point in a private car park next to the cottage, to encourage guests to use electric vehicles.
• At our other larger locations we use Biomass boilers and solar, when our heating system in Headland needs renewal we will consider the most environmentally friendly option suitable for the cottage.

• Showers are available as a water-saving option to a bath.
• We encourage guests to use ‘economy’ settings on appliances.
• An ‘A’ grade dishwasher and washing machine have been fitted.
• Water is heated by a biomass boiler, instead of using gas or oil to produce heat, they combust sustainably sourced wood pellets.

• The cottage was renovated using environmentally friendly products including innovative paint, wherever possible.
• We employ Splosh refillable products to clean our cottages, representing an eco-friendly cleaning solution that diminishes our dependence on single-use plastic cleaning bottles and products.
• The property is maintained by local builders and tradesmen.
• Wherever possible we use local suppliers of raw materials to minimise the environmental impact of transportation.
• We recycle and upcycle furnishings and purchase Welsh antiques for our properties.
• We rotate art through our properties supporting local artists.

We encourage guests to observe and enjoy the coastline by promoting responsible local trips such as Bay to Remember and groups including Sea Watch Foundation based a few miles up the coast in New Quay

In the property, we provide wildlife guide books, local walking maps and binoculars.

Guests are encouraged to visit the Welsh Wildlife Centre and Teifi marshes to learn about the special local wildlife abundant in the Ceredigion countryside.

In addition, we encourage responsible use of the Pembrokeshire coast path and Ceredigion coast path and the local beaches such as Poppit Sands, Llangrannog, Aberporth, Tresaith, Newport Sands etc