A new milestone in our journey towards a more sustainable kind of luxury.
We are proud to share that Whatley Manor has achieved EarthCheck Gold Certification, becoming the first independent hotel in the UK to reach this globally recognised sustainability milestone.
Gold Certification reflects more than five years of independently verified environmental performance. For us, it represents both a moment to celebrate and another important step in our ambition to become a regenerative business.
We believe that exceptional hospitality and environmental responsibility should exist naturally alongside one another, allowing guests to enjoy a quieter, more considered form of luxury.
What EarthCheck Gold Certification Means
EarthCheck is one of the world’s leading scientific benchmarking and certification programmes for sustainable tourism.
Our certification was independently audited by Control Union and recognises consistent progress across several areas of our operation, including:
- Energy and water efficiency
- Waste management
- Carbon measurement and reduction
- Biodiversity
- Community engagement
- Responsible and sustainable operations
The certification process requires us to submit environmental data annually, within an independent on-site audit taking place every other year. This helps to ensure that our progress remains transparent, measurable and accountable.
Luxury with a Lighter Footprint
Sustainability is embedded throughout life at Whatley; from the way we measure our emissions to the suppliers we work with and the future technologies in which we invest.
Since establishing our 2019 emissions baseline, we have achieved a 98% reduction in emissions from purchased electricity, gas and other fuels, reaching our original target five years ahead of schedule.
In 2025, we also recorded a 62% reduction in indirect emissions across our value chain compared with our 2022 baseline. We continue to work towards reducing supply-chain emissions by 5% per guest night each year.
Our annual carbon reporting is supported by carbon-accounting platform Greenly, helping us understand where further improvements can be made. We have also invested in high-quality carbon credits supporting forest conservation, biodiversity and local communities in Mexico under the Climate Action Reserve protocol.
Investing in a Lower-Carbon Future
While we are proud of the progress already made, we know there is always more to do.
Subject to planning approval, we are developing plans to significantly improved the hotel’s heating, cooling and ventilation systems. These proposed changes include transitioning away from gas-fired heating through the installation of air source heat pumps and replacing the spa and swimming-pool ventilation systems with more energy-efficient technology.
Further planned improvements include:
- Introducing highly efficient electronically commutated fans
- Installing heat-recovery technology to capture and reuse energy that would otherwise be lost
- Creating separate heating and cooling systems for different areas of the hotel
- Using energy only where and when it is required
The Aquarias Spa requires heating throughout much of the year, while demand across the bedrooms and shared spaces is naturally lower during the warmer months. Operating these systems independently would allow us to improve efficiency while continuing to provide the comfort our guests expect.
The proposed air source heat pumps would provide both heating and cooling using mains electricity, further reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
Supporting nature and our community
Our sustainability journey extends far beyond carbon reduction.
Across the estate, we continue to enhance biodiversity through tree planting, expanded kitchen gardens and our on-site beehives. These initiatives support the natural environment while enriching the experience of staying at Whatley, from flourishing garden spaces to ingredients grown just moments from our kitchens.
We also work closely with our local community through events, partnerships and wellbeing initiatives. This includes visiting schools, hosting conversations with councillors and sustainability groups, and giving team members time to support charitable causes.
Responsible sourcing, circular thinking and ongoing team training help ensure that sustainability is understood and embraced across every area of the hotel.
A more considered countryside escape
For our guests, responsible luxury can be found throughout the Whatley experience: in thoughtfully sourced menus, produce grown in our kitchen gardens, flourishing ground, independently verified environmental practices and continued investment in a lower-carbon future.
As we continue our journey towards becoming a regenerative business, our focus remains on innovation, transparency and protecting the landscapes and communities that make Whatley so special.
Our ambition is simple: to leave the world better than we found it, while creating a place where your world can fall quiet.
