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This year marks a significant milestone for Trewan Hall: our 60th anniversary under the stewardship of the Hill family. While there's much to celebrate, this post will focus on our "Green Journey" – our commitment to sustainability, from its humble beginnings to our plans for the future, a path that began long before "going green" became a common phrase.
Nestled just under five miles from the North Cornwall coast, Trewan Hall offers an escape without the bustling seaside crowds. Our 36-acre estate is a haven of natural beauty, of which approximately one-third comprises ancient woodland, predominantly of native species, which we manage with minimal intervention. Beyond the two camping fields, the estate boasts a diverse landscape of open spaces, converted barns, carefully nurtured gardens, and wild areas that support the estate's ecosystem and our camping business.
I'm Phil, grandson of Dennis Hill and Phyllis Hill, who purchased Trewan in the 1960s and laid the groundwork for much of what makes Trewan so special today. In my role helping to guide the business forward, I'm passionate about building on our strong environmental foundation. Re-inventing the wheel isn't necessary here; many of our sustainable practices are rooted in our history of self-sufficiency, working with nature, and emphasizing its beauty. However, I recognize the need to better communicate these efforts to our guests and refine some of our operational practices.
How and Why We Embarked on Our Green Journey
Did a single "eureka!" moment spark our green journey? Perhaps not. Our commitment to sustainability traces back to 1961 when Dennis and Phyllis Hill purchased the estate. Their initial plan involved renovating the 17th-century manor and cultivating the surrounding fields. However, with a growing family and limited farming experience, this proved a tall order. In 1963, they launched the camping business, establishing a modest campsite on Barn Park (the smaller of our two camping fields), opening a small camp shop and joining the Camping and Caravanning Club.
Dennis, with his background in construction, had recognized the estate's potential. In 1965, they built the first inland 25-meter swimming pool in Cornwall, a luxury that attracted campers and locals alike, and really putting Trewan on the map. This early success enabled further investments in the estate. Two boreholes were drilled to provide a reliable water supply, and a small sewage treatment plant was constructed to minimize reliance on local infrastructure. The old farming barns were repurposed into entertainment spaces and the camp shop.
During this period, many building materials were sourced locally or even salvaged from nearby ruins purchased by Dennis. Wood from the estate was utilized whenever possible, processed in a rudimentary sawmill they built. While "sustainability" wasn't a widely used term in the 1970s and 1980s, these self-sufficient practices laid a strong foundation for our current efforts.
We continue several of these practices today, such as producing charcoal from trees felled during winter storms and prioritizing native species in our woodlands and grounds. While previous owners introduced non-native species, we have largely reverted to planting native plants, with a few notable exceptions like our dramatic rhododendrons. More recent additions to the estate included a large solar panel installation (installed in 2010), the air source heat pumps in our converted stables and coach-house holiday homes (completed in 2016),
I joined the business in 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic. While many commendable green practices were already in place, often simply because "that's how we've always done things at Trewan," I saw an opportunity to elevate our sustainability efforts.
We were consistently being awarded Gold awards from the David Bellamy Conservation Awards for our commitment to environmental protection and wildlife conservation. However, resting on our laurels is not how we are going to become a truly 'Green Business'. In late 2024 we partnered with Green Tourism to help us on our journey and look at the business as a whole rather than just what we do in the grounds. We were recognised with a Bronze award for the efforts that are already in place but this also recognises the space we have to improve in order to gain a Gold award, that's the goal! Through the assessment a number of different areas for improvement were identified but initially our focus will be:
Communicating our efforts more effectively to our guests.
Integrating sustainability into the 'background' aspects of our business operations.
Partnering with local suppliers and supporting the community.
Our Future Plans
As we embark on our 60th year as a campsite, we have several exciting sustainability projects underway:
Installation of EV charging stations: Construction is currently underway to install two electric vehicle charging stations.
Renovation of the Roundhouse: We plan to renovate the Roundhouse into a cosy gathering space for workshops (yoga, creative activities, etc.). This space will also serve as an educational hub, showcasing local advice and inspiring our guests to minimize their environmental impact during their stay.
Upgrade of the pool plant room: We are replacing the old gas boiler with a high-efficiency air source heat pump, improving the pool's energy efficiency.
Creation of a new nature trail: In addition to our existing children's nature trail, we are developing a new trail specifically designed for adults, focusing on mental well-being, reconnecting with nature, and promoting mindfulness.
Enhanced guest recycling program: We are implementing a more informative guest experience for recycling, encouraging active participation in waste reduction efforts.
By embracing these initiatives, we aim to further solidify Trewan Hall's reputation as a sustainable and eco-conscious destination, while continuing to provide our loyal guests with a memorable and genuine experience.
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