GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND - Clean Breaks: 500 New Ways to See the World - page 11

CampiNG

Tucked up inside a sleeping bag in your tent, camping pits you against the elements
and is about as green a holiday as you can imagine. Once you've packed up camp, apart
from the change in colour of the patch of grass where you were pitched, you're likely to
leave the place as untouched as you found it. Large commercial campsites, however, can
be a much less green proposition. When fields are packed with hundreds of campers
all wanting to eat outdoors, use the toilet, shower and wash dishes, then the ecological
footprint - as well as the rubbish - soon begins to build up. Here is a selection of
campsites that go that bit further to make sure your camping holiday is as kind to the
planet as it is to your wallet.

007 huntstile organic farm,
Somerset
A small campsite (only five pitches) on an organic
farm in the foothills of the Quantocks. With so
few other campers, it's possible to have a decent
hot shower courtesy of solar power, plus you
can enjoy the peaceful setting while barbecuing
on a wood-burning stove. There are maps of
farm walks to see wildlife ponds and their own
“stone circle”, but make sure you're back in time
for the cream teas with home-grown organic
strawberries. Nearby there are opportunities for
mountain biking and horseriding.

Need to know Large “ecotents” (for up to twelve
people) are available for hire in a separate part of
the valley. For rates and further details see W www.
huntstileorganicfarm.co.uk; T [phone]
358. Quantock Hills: W www.quantockhills.org.uk.

008 bushey heath farm, buxton,
derbyshire
A small, family-oriented campsite surrounded
by woodland in the heart of the Peak District
National Park. Rainwater is harvested to flush
the toilets and a wind turbine provides all the
electricity. There's also a bunk barn (with a
ground-source heat pump for all heating and hot
water), a static caravan and a bothy (see p.14),
which were developed thanks to grants from the
Sustainable Development Fund and the Low
Carbon Buildings Trust. The farm shop sells
free-range eggs, Fairtrade snacks, drinks and a
selection of vegetarian frozen foods. The owners
also keep a variety of animals, including Suffolk
and Swale ewes, hens, guinea pigs, rabbits and
chicks plus three Chilean alpacas in the field at
the back.

Baslow Edge, Derbyshire

Need to know The nearest train stations are
Dove Holes and Hope. For more details of the
accommodation options and local information see
W www.busheyheathfarm.co.uk; T +44 (0) 1298
873 007. Peak District National Park: W www.
visitpeakdistrict.com.