Oswestry cottage among the top properties doing their bit to be more eco-friendly

The holiday letting agency says that eco-minded holidaymakers are being drawn towards more environmentally friendly and sustainable properties when searching where to visit for 2025. 

It reports that holiday homeowners in the area are starting to tap into this market to meet demand including a mixture of low-cost measures that many across the UK are looking to implement, as well as longer term investments. From providing locally sourced items or repurposing recycled products, through to installing solar panels and biomass boilers, owners are looking to make changes which make both environmental and financial sense.

The three properties include:

Joby Mussell, Chief Commercial Officer at holidaycottages.co.uk, comments: "Shropshire and North Wales boasts some of the most stunning cottages available in the UK, and as we’re seeing more and more holiday-goers being more environmentally conscious, we wanted to showcase a few prime examples of homeowners who are following suit. This is an area where we predict there will be a sharp increase in holiday homeowners who will look to make eco-friendly adaptions to their properties.”

Whether booking a weekend away with friends or a longer stay with family, holidaycottages.co.uk shares three stunning properties in North Wales who are looking to provide a more sustainable staycation for its guests.

Nestled in a remote part of Oswestry offering uninterrupted breathtaking views of the rural surroundings, this cottage is as sustainable as it is beautiful.

This off-grid property features solar panels to provide heat and electricity to the cottage, while unused hot water is stored in the onsite thermal tank for later use. Additionally, organic produce and holistic therapies are also available from the property owners. For holidaymakers staying at this stunning detached barn conversion, Border Retreat also provides an EV charging facility for drivers – something more and more owners are adopting as part of everyday necessities for visitors.

This destination is a paradise for keen walkers and cyclists, with a superb choice of foot paths and trails to explore alongside an array of National Trust properties including Erddig, Chirk and Powis Castles – ensuring that there’s plenty of zero carbon activities nearby.

One reviewer said: “This is a lovely cosy cottage in the most beautiful location. The cottage is well equipped, so you’ve got everything you need. The daily views were stunning, and I even managed to get a glimpse of the Northern Lights! There's a nice secure grassy area for the dog to wander around and a handy parking space at the top of the garden. Me and the dog absolutely loved our week there, it was absolutely fantastic.”

For those looking to unwind in a tranquil spot with far-reaching views over the Welsh countryside, this luxury property boasts some big eco credentials. Powered through solar panels, this property also uses locally sourced wood three miles away, perfect for firewood on the log burner and heating the hot tub.

Water is supplied to the cottage from a borehole behind the property, while wastewater is returned back to the ground via the treatment plant in the field.

Ideal for families or a group of friends, this dog-friendly cottage is in a secluded location with plenty of space to relish the peace and quiet or get together and socialise. If you have energy to burn, there is a multitude of fantastic local walks right on the doorstep – meaning you don’t have to travel far to enjoy mother nature! A public footpath runs alongside the property, and it is just 8 miles to the south-eastern edge of the Snowdonia National Park.

A hit with holidaymakers, one said: “If you want to get away from it all then Brynderwen is the perfect spot - there’s no noise except for the occasional sheep bleat. There are expansive rural views across beautiful hillsides where you can either see red kites circling ahead, or, the best starry sky you can imagine. The house itself is beautifully restored, classy yet comfy, with lots of natural wood and stone. The outside covered table tennis is a real bonus, as is the hot tub when you have the time to stoke it up.”

Situated in the idyllic location of Ruthin, this gorgeous property boasts stunning panoramic countryside views in addition to a range of sustainability plus points.

For customers who are making conscious efforts to be as environmentally friendly as possible, Bryn Celyn is the standard-bearer for sustainable holiday-living. With solar panels for electricity and a biomass boiler for heating hot water and the sauna using recycled wood chips, this property looks to use recycled materials wherever possible. This includes using recycled materials for the outdoors kitchen as well as repurposing the cladding from their stables business. The fire pit and seating area are also made from recycled wood.

For guests looking to use the fire and pizza ovens, the wood is provided from the owners’ own woodlands. As an added extra touch, guests can indulge in a selection of locally sourced Welsh products provided as part of the welcome pack, including Henllan Organic Apple Juice, Bara Brith, Jones' crisps, and farm eggs. During the spring and summer months, guests can also revel in the beauty of homegrown flowers.

This stunning detached property has been creatively designed to be flooded with natural light and is full of all the little luxuries, such as underfloor heating. Ruthin features plenty of independent shops and eateries, for guests looking to support local business. Visitors can also pop to the market town of Mold, with its street market, festival, and Theatre Clywd. 

One guest in a five-star review said: “What an absolutely fantastic cottage. It was extremely clean and mover with everything you will ever need for a comfortable stay. The outdoor kitchen area, hot tub and sauna are great. The lovely flat garden looks directly at the sunset while you enjoy the firepit. The hosts are lovely but not intrusive, going the extra mile to make your stay special.”

Joby Mussell adds: “It’s great to see owners are looking to implement more eco-friendly measures into their properties. This is something we fully endorse and as a company we are committed to supporting. In the new year, a primary focus of ours will be to provide a roadmap, assisting homeowners on their sustainable pathway. This will include support towards achieving recognised sustainability standards, which can not only be used to reduce overall energy costs, but also to support more bookings, as guests are now increasingly expecting a more sustainable experience when choosing destinations."