Sustainability: Our Green Journey 

We champion sustainable tourism at Low Costa Mill by doing much more than just recycling. We actively protect the environment we love, respect our local community, and work in harmony with nature to ensure a greener future for North Yorkshire.

Our Quality In Tourism REST Gold Award recognises this ongoing commitment to running a responsible, sustainable, eco-friendly business.

Gold Sustainability Award to Low Costa Mill

Technical Innovation: Dave's 'Eco-Expertise'

Drawing on a lifetime in the energy industry, Dave leads our mission to slash the carbon footprint of Low Costa Mill. We transformed our infrastructure to ensure your stay remains as green as it is comfortable:

  • Solar Power: Our on-site 80-panel PV system produces up to 20kW of solar energy (approx. 20,000 kWh per annum).  That's around about 20% of our total energy usage.
  • Renewable Heating: Our swimming pool is heated by an efficient air-source heat pump. Our "pride and joy," however, is the water-source heat pump for the main house—yes, our home is heated by the cold river!
  • Efficiency First: We’ve installed 89 triple-glazed windows, extensive loft insulation, and over 300 LED bulbs across the site.
  • EV Charging: We have an on-site EV charger available for guest use, making it easier than ever to explore the North York Moors in an electric vehicle.
Nature & Biodiversity: A Haven for Wildlife

Since 2013, we have worked tirelessly to boost the biodiversity of our 10-acre site on the edge of the North York Moors National Park.

  • The Wildlife Pond:  This true sanctuary hosts a vibrant ecosystem. We welcome back our nesting swans each year, alongside herons, egrets, ducks, moorhens, frogs, and dragonflies.
  • Woodland & Hedgerows: We transformed our grounds into a thriving sanctuary by planting miles of new hedging and sowing woodland wildflowers.  Our team installed dozens of bird boxes to support local species.
  • Birdlife: From the swallows nesting in our stables to the bird boxes tucked away in the trees, our woodland teems with life and constant birdsong.
  • Quiet Gardens: We prioritise electric tools for garden maintenance. This protects the environment while ensuring the grounds remain quiet and peaceful for your stay.
Looking to the Future

We partnered with students from York University to investigate new ways to enhance our sustainability. We are currently investigating their recommendations for further improvements to our green credentials—watch this space!

How You Can Help

We invite our guests to join us in our mission. Small changes make a big difference:

  1. Conserve Energy: Please ensure lights, heating, and TVs are turned off when you head out for the day.
  2. Recycle: Use our on-site recycling facilities for glass, paper, card, and plastic.
  3. Eco-Laundry: When using the laundry room, please opt for "quick wash" or "cool" settings. If the Yorkshire sun is shining, we encourage the use of our traditional washing lines!

Our full Environmental Policy can be found in the footer of our website.