Have you noticed? Yes I’ve decided to launch a new section of the website, sustainable and eco-friendly travel. Why? Because I was reminded recently of the sheer impact of tourism on our environment. Recent studies have shown tourism to be responsible for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is three times as much as we originally thought.
So, last month I travelled sans kids to Paris to stay in the beautiful eco-friendly hotel, Hidden Hotel. And this month I’d like to share with you our recent family holiday to Wootton House. The property isn’t billed as eco-friendly, but taking a holiday in the UK without flying seems a good a place to start. Plus I’d choose travelling by car with two kids any day over a plane ride for a holiday.
Wootton House
So, what happens when you have eight adults, six children and one baby all on holiday together? Well a couple of weeks ago, our extended family headed to Butleigh Wootton to find out. We stayed in the most incredible house, Wootton House that my parents found through Helpful Holidays.
On arrival we instantly felt like Lord and Lady of the Manor. The house was like something from a National Trust handbook. It’s clearly been a family home throughout the centuries, so despite it being grand it also felt very comfortable. The family is renting the property out to slowly do it up in-keeping with the original character. So we had beautiful modern bathrooms alongside peeling original William Morris wallpaper.
Wootton House Highlights
Our bedroom had a four-poster bed that was so high off the ground you needed a step to get up to it. Daisy has a habit of coming into our bed during the night and unsurprisingly this stopped that week. Great result. Other favourite highlights of the house included the Steinway grand piano in the entrance hall and a croquet lawn.
So did we kill each other? Well with eight bedrooms, four bathrooms, two living rooms, a huge garden with play area and tennis court, there was enough space for everyone.
Holidaying with Others
Since having children we have become huge fans of holidaying with other families. It is so much easier and actually gives you a chance to relax. Daisy and Laurie love to spend time hanging out with their cousins. In fact for the first few days I barely saw my daughter. Plus I cooked only one meal as we all took it in turns, which is a real break. I also find it quite reassuring to watch people’s children misbehave, refuse to eat vegetables and generally behave as kids do.
Things To Do
At first glance, Somerset doesn’t seem like a place with lots to do and wasn’t somewhere I’d even considered going on holiday. But I stand corrected.
The area surrounding Butleigh Wootton is beautiful, so we went on several walks and the kids loved climbing the trees. At nearby Street there was an awesome retro Lido, Greenbank Pool which was not only heated to a toasty 30 degrees but had a separate kids pool, full length pool and water fountains. If you fancy a little retail therapy, Clarks Village Outlet at Street is very close. Whilst I never advocate buying from the highstreet it did have a great Le Creuset shop, which I may have spent a little too much in. Plus a great pirate ship play area which the kids loved. I discovered a very affordable and eco-friendly beauty salon in Glastonbury, The Violet Butterfly. They were amazingly transparent and were able to tell me exactly what was in my nail varnish for my pedicure. Lytes Cary Manor, a National Trust property, is just round the corner and if you get sunshine Weymouth beach is a 75 minute car journey away.
I read two novels, drank lots of wine, slept in and ate far too many home cooked cakes. So all in all it was a roaring success!
So how does Wootton House Rate?
Sustainable ? Though not specifically eco-friendly, it’s a UK holiday so no flights required (depending on where you are based). It’s self catering so you can make it as zero waste as you like when it comes to eating. Plus the money you pay for the rent contributes to renovating a beautiful home with an incredible Naval history.
Suitable for kids✓ There was everything there you needed, a travel cot, high chair, washing facilities, self catering, plus the garden is gated to keep little people inside. It was very child friendly.
Next month Daisy, Laurie and I will be staying in an B&B on the edge of Dartmoor that specialises in food that is all local, organic and seasonal, which we found through iescape kids. I cannot wait!
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This is not a sponsored post and we stayed at Wootton House courtesy of my parents, thank you Mum & Dad!