by sarah • September 27, 2024 • Wedding Planning Guides
Surrounded by beautiful scenery and rolling hills, we never take the incredible countryside we live in for granted and strive to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
We understand that anyone looking for a countryside wedding venue likely shares the same sentiment. That’s why we do everything we can to take care of the environment we live in, and why we’re proud to be one of the most eco-friendly, greenest wedding venues in the region. We’re transforming our energy uses every day, and striving to eliminate our carbon footprint for future generations and beyond.
As we are still a working farm, we rely on traditional agricultural practices as much as possible, focusing on using natural fertilisers, maintaining soil health, biodiversity, and overall, a more sustainable approach. The venue owner and farmer Mick is also a trustee of the local charity Dane Valley Climate Action Group, committed to extensive tree planting and campaigning to raise awareness of nature protection and the fight against climate change!
At Heaton House Farm, recycling has been a priority for decades. We were among the first in the area to establish our on-site recycling station and partner with dedicated companies to ensure full skips are collected, minimising unnecessary fuel use on half-full bins! We meticulously separate all waste and work with external specialists like ReFood to recycle food waste. This is sent to an anaerobic digester to generate methane gas and power generators, and it contributes electricity to the National Grid. Additionally, we now have a new oil supplier, Lifecycle Oils, who collect our used oil and transforms it into plant-based fuel, further enhancing our commitment to sustainability. Within all of our accommodation rooms and public facilities, we have eradicated single-use plastics, with refillable dispensers in all guest bathrooms. When taking down those all-important points, our office team uses pens made from recycled aluminium, and the paper has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, being sourced from responsibly managed and protected forests.
Our barn roofs were also one of the first places in the region to host solar panels, with 125 installed by 2011, and 250 generating up to 60kwh of energy each day. To take advantage of this green energy, we have low-energy LED lights. In 2022 we installed two large ground source heat pumps to supply heat to the whole farm with a large array of underground pipes collecting heat from the ground.
Our changes to our operations virtually eliminate our use of overseas fossil fuels like oil and cut our carbon footprint dramatically. With all our facilities in one location, from ceremony options to overnight accommodation, our wedding guests can enjoy everything without needing to travel around the area. Not only does that make for a much more seamless wedding day, but it also minimises exhaust emissions. Our other commitments include:
With such large grounds, wildlife is in abundance at Heaton House Farm, and we’re doing everything we can to protect it now for future generations. From bird feeders in the water gardens, herbal leys which help to improve soil health and encourage biodiversity, to cordoned-off fields to protect nesting chicks, all the staff here love the wildlife. We’re often watching out for owls and bats at night, helping out with the sheep during lambing season, and rescuing hedgehogs along with spotting deer roaming our land. If you want to see our beautiful countryside and the local wildlife, we would love to welcome you for a viewing.
