Our Commitment
Kingston Country Courtyard is a sustainable hotel in Dorset committed to regenerative tourism, responsible hospitality, and environmental stewardship. As a family-run rural venue on the Isle of Purbeck, our business depends on the health of the landscape, the strength of our local community, and the trust of our guests.
Our approach to sustainability is practical, transparent, and continuously evolving. Rather than making broad claims, we focus on measurable actions, responsible choices, and steady improvement across how we operate — from energy and waste to food sourcing and biodiversity.
We see sustainability not as a side project, but as part of how we run the business every day.
Energy Use at Our Sustainable Hotel in Dorset
As a sustainable hotel in Dorset, we are actively improving how we manage energy and utilities across the property.
Current actions include:
- LED lighting upgrades across buildings
- Timers and controls on lighting and equipment
- Operational efficiency reviews in kitchens and guest areas
- Linen and towel reuse options for guests
- Water-conscious housekeeping practices
Committed actions:
- Transition to 100% renewable-sourced electricity during 2026
- Establish baseline measurement of energy usage to guide future reduction targets
- Annual review of consumption patterns
Waste Reduction & Materials
Reducing waste — especially single-use materials — is a core operational focus.
We currently:
- Minimise single-use plastics wherever practical
- Use refillable and bulk amenity systems
- Operate recycling systems across guest and back-of-house areas
- Provide refill options instead of disposable water where possible
- Offer reusable hire items (such as dog bowls and guest equipment) to avoid one-time purchases
In development:
- Expanded composting systems
- Structured food waste monitoring
- Waste stream measurement to establish baselines
Responsible Purchasing at Our Sustainable Hotel in Dorset
Food and purchasing choices have one of the biggest environmental impacts in hospitality. Our approach prioritises locality, seasonality, and responsible sourcing. Our goal is to operate as a truly sustainable hotel in Dorset by aligning our food, purchasing, and supplier decisions with environmental responsibility.
We prioritise:
- Local Dorset suppliers wherever possible
- Regional meat, eggs, dairy, honey, and produce
- Short supply chains
- Seasonal menu planning
- Whole-ingredient cooking over ultra-processed products
2026 goals:
- Implement a formal Sustainable Purchasing Policy
- Increase conscious supplier selection criteria
- Expand local and low-packaging sourcing
- Launch our larder kitchen project to support in-house preparation and reduced packaging dependence
Nature, Land & Biodiversity
Our grounds and surrounding landscape are a key part of the guest experience and our environmental responsibility.
We actively manage our outdoor spaces to support biodiversity and habitat health.
Current and ongoing work includes:
- Pollinator-friendly planting schemes
- Native and low-chemical planting approaches
- Woodland and pond habitat protection
- Maintaining wild areas for birds, insects, and small mammals
- Tree and hedge planting programmes
- Kitchen garden and food growing areas
Forward plans:
- Expand biodiversity planting zones
- Increase native species coverage
- Add guest education signage about habitats and wildlife
Community & Local Impact
We believe regenerative tourism should benefit the local economy and community as well as the environment.
We support our region through:
- Local supplier partnerships
- Dorset-based producers and growers
- Collaboration with local businesses and attractions
- Promoting low-impact local experiences to guests
- Creating rural employment and training opportunities
- Developing hospitality training pathways for the local workforce
Staff & Guest Engagement
Sustainability only works when it’s shared and understood.
We are embedding sustainability awareness into how we operate through:
- Staff sustainability briefings and training
- Operational checklists and procedures
- Guest information and guidance
- Visible sustainability practices on site
- Ongoing team feedback and idea sharing
Measurement & Accountability
We are building structured measurement into our sustainability programme.
Our process commitments include:
- Establishing baseline measurements for:
- energy use
- waste volumes
- food waste
- purchasing patterns
- Annual sustainability performance review
- Evidence tracking for audits and certifications
- Continuous improvement planning
We believe honest measurement is more meaningful than unsupported claims.
Accreditation Goals
We are currently working toward formal third-party sustainability accreditation.
Our targets:
- Achieve Green Tourism accreditation in 2026
- Reach Green Tourism Gold within three years
- Use accreditation frameworks to guide continuous improvement
Sustainable Travel
We welcome guests travelling by electric vehicle and offer overnight 3-pin EV charging, with further guidance available on nearby rapid charging points across Purbeck.
For those travelling by public transport, Wareham railway station is just 15 minutes away, with regular onward connections. A bus stop located directly outside the hotel links Swanage, Wareham and Poole, making low-impact travel to Kingston Country Courtyard simple and convenient.
A Living Programme
Our sustainability work is ongoing and evolving. As we improve our measurement and systems, we will continue to update our practices and publish progress.
Guests, partners, and team members are always welcome to share ideas that help us operate more responsibly.
You can also read our Accessibility Statement and Environmental policies to understand how we support inclusive and responsible stays. Our full Sustainability and Regenerative Tourism Policy can also be downloaded as a PDF:
Our sustainability information is reviewed regularly and was last updated in February 2026.