Sustainability Spotlight: River Cottage
From the beginning, River Cottage HQ was founded on sustainable design principles. Their goal was to create a low-carbon, low-energy hub that addresses the challenges of climate change. We asked them to tell us about how this works in practice and their ideas for the future.
Nestled on the stunning Devon-Dorset border, River Cottage HQ is well known for celebrating seasonal, local, organic and wild produce, with a firm commitment to food integrity.
They offer a variety of culinary experiences, including their award-winning cookery school, exceptional dining, a delightful Kitchen & Store, and picturesque settings for weddings and events.
Each year, tens of thousands of visitors come to create unforgettable memories at one of Devon’s most enchanting venues.
What have you done to make your business more sustainable?
From the start, River Cottage HQ has prioritised sustainable design. Our low-carbon, low-energy hub addresses climate challenges and aims for net-zero well ahead of UK targets. This extends to our website, where we constantly strive for greener practices.
On our 100-acre organic farm, we embrace a zero-waste approach. Sustainability is embedded in systems like:
- Artesian well providing potable water.
- Biomass boiler for heating and hot water.
- Reed beds naturally processing waste.
- Rainwater harvesting systems.
- Wind turbine generating electricity.
- Compost we compost much of our own waste to support our garden
Our Kitchen & Store, certified organic by the Soil Association, was formerly our HQ office. We reused materials from the original building and source new ones from local, sustainable suppliers.
Our farmhouse furniture is crafted by UK makers like Another Country, Morgan, and Naturalmat.
We hold Soil Association certification and participate in Natural England’s stewardship schemes, supporting habitats like hay meadows and hedgerows.
Our two-acre kitchen garden provides organic produce year-round, and as ambassadors for the East Devon Natural Landscape we protect and enhance the local environment.
What would you like to change in the future to improve your sustainability credentials further?
Our next step on our sustainability journey is to increase our electricity generation on the site and provide a bank of EV charging facilities for our guests through a mix of off-peak energy battery storage and increased wind power generation.
What tips do you have for other businesses that would like to become more sustainable?
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Reduce: Remove single-use materials like plastics, cups and foils. Use reusable cups, swap flipcharts for chalkboards, and question whether printing is necessary.
Reuse: Repair items instead of replacing them. Repurpose materials like delivery pallets or find second hand items from local shops or marketplaces. Support local makers to reduce emissions.
Recycle: Understand your waste provider’s recycling requirements and clearly label bins to make it easier for your team.
Upcycle
Transform unwanted or waste materials into new products and use Energy: Switch to energy providers investing in renewable sources.
Travel
Encourage car sharing, public transport, or cycling with flexible hours and bike storage. Sign up for Cycle to Work schemes.
Food
Support local suppliers, buy organic produce, and reduce meat consumption while focusing on quality. Prioritise sustainable fish sourcing using the Marine Stewardship Council ratings.
Philanthropy
Choose charities that support environmental causes when reviewing business giving practices.
Find out more?
To find out more about their sustainable ethos - and to explore everything that River Cottage HQ has to offer from Long Table Feasts to artisan cookery courses, from delicious recipes to overnight stays, to holding your wedding or next corporate event there - please visit the website here.
Top image credit: Wild River Media.
All other images: Matt Austin.