Sustainably Yours
At Highcliffe House, sustainability is not something we view as a passing trend or marketing exercise. It forms part of the quieter decisions we make every day – from the suppliers we support and the ingredients we source, to the products we choose to use, reuse, restore, and invest in for the long term.
Set within Exmoor National Park and overlooking one of the UK’s most remarkable coastlines, we believe hospitality should work in harmony with its surroundings rather than compete against them.
Like many historic Victorian properties, there are natural limitations to what can realistically be achieved without compromising the character and integrity of the building itself. However, wherever possible, we continue to make thoughtful, practical choices that help reduce waste, support local businesses, and encourage a more considered style of travel.
Our approach is not about perfection or grand gestures. It is about consistency, responsibility, and creating a warm, memorable guest experience that respects both the environment around us and the community we are proud to be part of.
Locally Sourced
Supporting local producers and independent businesses has always been an important part of the Highcliffe House experience.
Wherever possible, we aim to source locally and responsibly, particularly throughout our breakfasts and guest offering. Exmoor and North Devon are home to exceptional food producers, growers, artisans, and independent businesses, many of whom bring genuine passion and craftsmanship to what they do.
By working with local suppliers where practical, we not only reduce unnecessary transport and packaging, but also help support the wider community and local economy that make this area so special.
Many of the restaurants, cafés, galleries, shops, and experiences we recommend to guests during their stay are also independently owned businesses that reflect the personality and character of the region.
Take a brief animated journey through Highcliffe House and discover our environmental journey towards a greener, more sustainable future in the heart of Exmoor, Devon
Breakfast
Breakfast remains one of the defining parts of the Highcliffe House experience.
Served in our light-filled conservatory with sweeping views across Lynton, the Bristol Channel, and the surrounding hills of Exmoor, breakfast at Highcliffe House is designed to feel relaxed, personal, and thoughtfully prepared.
Rather than large buffet displays, our breakfasts are cooked to order using carefully sourced ingredients, helping us maintain both quality and freshness while also reducing unnecessary food waste.
Wherever possible, we continue to work with local suppliers and producers, while also catering for a wide range of dietary requirements with advance notice.
For us, breakfast is not simply about feeding guests before the day begins – it is part of the overall experience of staying at Highcliffe House.
Highcliffe House - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reducing Waste
We believe small operational choices, made consistently over time, can have a meaningful impact.
Across the house, we continue to review ways to reduce unnecessary waste while still maintaining the standards of comfort and quality our guests expect from a luxury stay.
This includes reducing single-use plastics wherever practical, using refillable products where possible, recycling across operational areas, and making more conscious purchasing decisions designed around quality and longevity rather than short-term replacement.
We also encourage a more thoughtful approach to laundry and housekeeping during longer stays, helping reduce unnecessary washing and energy use wherever appropriate.
Energy & Environment
Operating a large Victorian coastal property naturally presents unique environmental and operational challenges, particularly in relation to heating, weather exposure, and infrastructure.
However, we continue to make practical improvements wherever possible to help reduce unnecessary energy consumption while preserving the character and integrity of the building itself.
This includes ongoing investment in energy-efficient lighting, more responsible equipment choices, careful heating management, and a general philosophy of long-term improvement rather than short-term fixes.
We believe sustainability works best when approached honestly, realistically, and consistently over time.
Thoughtful Travel
As an adults-only property with just a small number of bedrooms, Highcliffe House naturally offers a quieter, lower-impact style of stay compared with larger hotels.
Many guests choose to stay with us specifically for the calm atmosphere, slower pace, peaceful surroundings, and connection to nature that Exmoor provides.
Walking directly from our doorstep, exploring the coastline without relying heavily on transport, supporting local independent businesses, and spending longer in one place rather than rushing through destinations all contribute towards a more thoughtful and sustainable style of travel.
Without trying too hard, Exmoor itself has a way of encouraging people to slow down and reconnect with the world around them.
Restoration & Longevity
Throughout Highcliffe House, many of the furnishings, antiques, artworks, and decorative pieces have been carefully restored, repurposed, or selected for their longevity and timeless character.
Rather than constantly replacing interiors to follow passing trends, we prefer to invest thoughtfully in pieces that bring personality, craftsmanship, and a sense of permanence to the house.
This approach not only helps reduce unnecessary waste, but also reflects the individuality and layered character that many guests associate with Highcliffe House itself.
For us, sustainability is often as much about preserving and valuing what already exists as it is about introducing something new.
Our Approach
Between us, we have travelled extensively across more than 120 countries and stayed in everything from small family-run guesthouses to some of the world’s most celebrated luxury hotels.
Those experiences have shaped how we think about hospitality today.
The places people remember most rarely rely on excess. More often, they are defined by warmth, authenticity, personality, quality, and a strong sense of place.
That philosophy continues to shape how we run Highcliffe House today.
We know sustainability is an ongoing process rather than a finished destination, and we continue to evolve our practices carefully and realistically over time.
Our goal is simple: to create a welcoming, memorable, award-winning stay while treating both our environment and our local community with genuine care and respect.
Gardens and Wildlife
Highcliffe House is set on an acre of vertical land, half of which is tended and planted with shrubs and trees for guest enjoyment with the remaining space dedicated to natural woodland an ideal habitat for birds, squirrels, dormice, and foxes. In keeping with Exmoor National Park policies, we preserve the local ecosystem and wildflowers electing not to cut grass until springtime. Another part of the grounds we refer to as the ” Meadow Bank” is seldom disturbed, allowing natural vegetation to flourish. All hedgerows are protected and birds are encouraged to nest and fly. Garden waste is composted and we operate a no chemical use policy to control pests and use peat-free compost for flower baskets and plant pots.
Transport
Highcliffe House promotes alternative transport links including the use of train and bus timetables and maps through a dedicated section on our website.
Through our ” Walkers Are Welcome ” initiative, guests are encouraged to get out and breathe in the fresh air of Exmoor and leave the car where it arrived.
Encouraging Guest Sustainability
- Encourage environmentally friendly alternative transport or carpooling.
- Bedroom conservation notices for linen, towels, and water.
- Daily room service opt-out
- Encourage showers more than baths.
- Conserve energy by turning bedroom radiator thermostats down
- Turn off lighting when exiting the bedroom
- Use external recycling bins
Social Responsibility
- Support Local Tradespeople and suppliers
- Support local business cash flow by paying all invoices within 48 hours of receipt.
- Use our website to promote local business in Exmoor and Devon producing dedicated videos for Lynton, Lynmouth, and Exmoor
- Highcliffe House nominated charities, Plastic Free Devon, South West Coastal Path, and North Devon Hospice.
North Devon Council Waste Policy
Find out where Highcliffe House waste goes from North Devon Council
Devon Climate Emergency - At Highcliffe House we’ve signed have you?
Click on the image below to sign and show your support
Booking