We love where we live.  Protecting and caring for the environment around Low Costa Mill is incredibly important to us – both for today and for generations to come. We believe it’s our responsibility to protect and preserve this special corner of the North Yorkshire.  And all while offering our guests a high‑quality, eco-friendly holiday.

Reducing our carbon footprint is an ongoing journey. Through our Environmental Policy, we’ve put a programme of actions in place and we’re always looking for ways to improve. Guests can join us in making small, sustainable choices during their stay.

How to Travel More Sustainably on Your Holiday

Where you stay matters, but so does how you travel. Your transport choices make a real difference. Here are a few easy ways to keep your staycation greener:

Choose Public Transport

• Travelling by bus or train significantly reduces your carbon footprint.
• The Coastliner Bus is Britain’s most scenic bus route.  Use it to travel from Pickering to Whitby or York.
• Malton Station offers regular train services to York and beyond.
• Walk to Pickering; it is a scenic two-mile route along the beck.

Go Car-Lite

• Walking or cycling lets you explore hidden corners and reduces emissions.
• We offer an on‑site EV charger for all guests.
• A growing network of charging points exists across Ryedale and the North York Moors.

Eat local, eat seasonal, shop small

Every pound you spend in our local area helps support small, independent businesses. Shopping and eating locally isn’t just good for the local economy – it’s great for the planet too. When you choose local shops and restaurants, you’re not just supporting jobs in the community, you’re also cutting down on carbon emissions and food miles.

Pickering has a wealth of independent shops, markets, and cafés offering locally made goods. Staying in a self‑catering cottage lets you:

• Visit nearby farm shops and farmers’ markets.
• Support local suppliers including butchers, greengrocers, and bakers.
• Enjoy dining at restaurants with locally sourced menus.
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We have three fabulous farm shops local to us (see blog) as well as three butchers, a greengrocer and two bakers in town. 

A favourite spot is The Old Weigh in Pickering. You can buy almost anything in small quantities there. Refill jars with local tea, coffee, flour, sugar, herbs, spices and cleaning products. This is a great way to actively reduce waste. There’s some great treats too (excellent jelly babies 😊)  and you can even order a bespoke gift hamper.

What We Do at Low Costa Mill

Our Sustainability Award

We’re incredibly proud to have been awarded the Quality in Tourism REST Gold Award (2022–2023). This nationally recognised award acknowledges our ongoing commitment to responsible tourism and sustainable business practices. While the award covered those years, the principles behind it continue to guide everything we do at Low Costa Mill – from reducing environmental impact to supporting our local community.

We go the extra mile regarding sustainability. We balance guest comfort with effective eco-friendly practices:

• Renewable Energy: We utilize solar panels, air source and ground source heat pumps.
• Energy Efficiency: All cottage windows are triple glazed. We use LED bulbs throughout the site. Outside lights are on timers or sensors.
• Wildlife: We actively maintain designated long grass and wildflower areas to encourage insects and wildlife.
• Water Management: Rainwater is collected for watering all flower beds and containers.
• Waste Management: We have clear, organized recycling points for all guest waste.

From energy efficiency to waste reduction, we balance comfort with eco-friendly practices.

What You Can Do at Low Costa Mill

To help preserve our lovely environment, we all need to do our bit. Please consider these small actions during your holiday:

• Bring reusable water bottles, coffee cups, and shopping bags.
• No need to print confirmation emails.
• Turn off taps when brushing teeth or washing up. Take showers instead of baths.
• Use the washing line or clothes airers to dry clothes and swimming towels
• Turn off lights, the TV, and other devices when leaving your cottage.
• Turn heating down or off if you open a window.
• Use the provided external recycling bins.
• Help protect our natural surroundings by taking your litter home with you.

Green Stays Without Compromise

A sustainable UK holiday is an opportunity to slow down. Reconnect with the North York Moors’ landscapes and heritage. Staying with us supports responsible tourism without sacrificing comfort.

We hope these ideas inspire a greener Yorkshire getaway. Thank you for helping us care for this special place! Every small step helps protect the environment.