BOWOOD'S SUSTAINABILITY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Sustainability

For over 250 years, the core of Bowood's management ethos has been the long-term stewardship of the Estate's unique resources.

Bowood's sustainability policy is to continually reduce the environmental impact of all our activities. We are committed to safeguarding the Estate's heritage assets and landscape while contributing to the fight against climate change. To achieve this and work towards the UK's 2050 net-zero target, Bowood’s key sustainability objectives are:

  • By 2022, to operate comprehensive recycling facilities across all business areas.
    • ACHIEVED - Bowood now sends zero waste to landfill and, since 2023, has reduced non-recycled waste by nearly 50%.
  • By 2023, to significantly phase out single-use plastics in all business areas.
    • ONGOING - Largely achieved, however, systemic challenges remain, particularly concerning pre-packaged food and drink products. Your continued support and feedback are crucial as we navigate these challenges together.
  • By 2024, to source 50% of services and consumable supplies from within 50 miles.
    • ACHIEVED - In 2024 – Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort 52%; House & Gardens 77%; Estate 67%.
  • By 2025, to generate renewable energy on the estate.
    • ACHIEVED - A 500kw biomass boiler heats the Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort. A 50MW solar farm will connect to the Estate in 2025/26, producing enough electricity to power +10k homes.
  • By 2030, to reduce direct fossil fuel consumption by 50%.

We are actively working on various projects to help deliver these objectives. Below are examples of some initiatives already in place:

  • Tree planting: Bowood plants thousands of trees annually, with over 1 million planted in the last 50 years.
  • Heating: A 500kw biomass boiler provides heating and hot water throughout the Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, using woodchip sustainably sourced from within the Bowood estate.
  • Irrigation: The primary water supply for the PGA Golf Course and House & Gardens (including grounds and gardens) is the Estate’s private supply, reducing reliance on treated mains water.
  • Habitats: We manage habitats on a landscape scale, including a 300-acre conservation area and wildlife sanctuary and a wetland bird habitat surrounding Bowood Lake. Since its opening in 1992, the 200-acre PGA golf course management has evolved to incorporate approximately 60 acres of wildflower grassland, promoting biodiversity alongside the 30,000 rounds of golf played each year.
  • Food and flowers: The historic Walled Garden supplies the Shelburne Restaurant with a wide range of seasonal produce. Floral displays in the Hotel are largely created using flowers cut directly from the Walled Garden.
  • Membership cards: Since 2022, season ticket membership cards have been printed on 100% recycled paper. The company aims to move entirely to digital member processes.
  • Heating: We are exploring opportunities to replace the heating system in Bowood House with a modern, renewable energy-based alternative.
  • Woodland management: Most felled trees are sold as sustainable timber, used to repair properties on the Estate, or converted to woodchip for the Hotel, Spa, & Golf Resort's biomass boiler.
  • Stewardship: The Estate preserves a unique collection of 700 trees within the Arboretum, including rare or critically endangered species.
  • Low inputs: Bowood’s farmland includes 700 acres of permanent pasture, primarily grazed by sheep, which provides sustainable landscape management and reduces the need for fossil-fuel-burning machinery.
  • Community: The Estate supports vital community facilities and maintains 13 miles of footpath, bridleway, and permissive paths, offering recreational opportunities for the local community. Your active participation in these community activities is a testament to our shared commitment to sustainability.