Cornwall has been revealed as the greenest place to visit in England, with more eco-friendly accommodation, restaurants and activities per person than any other area.
Responsible tourism in the UK is at an all-time high, with searches for ‘sustainable tourism’ rising 42% so far in 2023. With the summer holidays now in full swing, and even more possibilities for road trips in electric family cars, Kia analysed England’s greenest areas and created an interactive sustainable staycation planner for people to plan their next eco-friendly adventure.
The top 5 greenest destinations in England are:
1. Cornwall
Cornwall came out top in England, with an abundance of sustainable places to stay such as Vellandreath, as well as places to eat and visit. A highlight is exploring inspiring outdoor spaces at Trebah Garden, which has won a Gold Green Tourism Award, or the Eden Project, which boasts solar panels, rainwater usage and renewable energy.
2. Isle of Wight
Family-friendly highlights in the Isle of Wight include exploring The Garlic Farm, where you can find an electric car charging point, or visiting Goodleaf Tree Climbing for outdoor adventures.
3. Herefordshire
Families visiting Herefordshire can take a trip to King Arthur’s Cave, a nature reserve that provides a natural habitat for Horseshoe Bats. For conservation and education, Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo supports sustainable Butterfly Farming worldwide and is heated only by renewable energy.
4. Rutland
Rutland in the East Midlands has plenty of eco-friendly options for families paying a visit. Check out Root and Branch Out, who run regular wild workshops and crafting afternoons, or visit Barnsdale Gardens for acres of stunning, individually designed gardens.
5. Bristol
You’ll be spoiled for choice of green places to stay in Bristol. Hilton Garden Inn, Mollie’s Motel and Diner, and The Bristol all offer electric car charging points. Zero Green is a highlight for places to visit – it’s the area’s first zero-waste shop, with all-natural, plastic-free products.
Looking across Britain as a whole, Scotland ranked highly for eco-friendly destinations, with Argyll and Bute, Orkney and the Western Isles making up the top three locations. In Wales, Powys came out as the greenest travel destination.
Kia’s new interactive sustainable staycation planner details the best eco-friendly spots for a green staycation. This includes electric charging points, for those with electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, and other sustainable benefits such as solar panels and clean energy.
Those planning an eco-friendly road trip can discover some of the top hotels, restaurants and activities in their chosen area by inputting their postcode into the Sustainable Staycation Planner.
The analysis of Britain’s most sustainable regions for tourism has been carried out by Kia to coincide with the launch of the EV9 electric family car. After its official release, the EV9 will be the latest long-distance EV from Kia, alongside the Niro EV, EV6 and Soul EV. The EV9 will also be capable of up to more than 300 miles from a single charge.
A spokesperson at Kia commented:
“Responsible travel in the UK can be easy, especially for those with hybrid or electric vehicles. With our research, we set out to highlight some of the best places to travel in England for an eco-friendly holiday. Cornwall is an excellent choice, with a high number of sustainable places to stay and visit as well as a high percentage of EV chargers. For those looking to plan their own green staycation, our interactive map makes it simple to discover destinations with eco-friendly amenities, such as accommodation, restaurants, activities and charging points.”
To test out the tool, please visit https://www.kia.com/uk/about/news/kia-releases-interactive-sustainable-holiday-map/
