OUR ENVIRONMENT

Here at Shacklabank we feel very passionately about the environment. Living off the land gives you a great respect as you truly reap what you sow.

Farming has shown us how important it is not only to protect and nurture our little piece of heaven, but by making the smallest of changes and commitments we may have a much bigger effect.

Listed below are some of the steps we have taken to be greener.

• Shacklabank will be fully organic by 2010.
• We are committed to Defra's Countryside stewardship scheme and have re-planted hedges, maintained the traditional stone walls, and created a small woodland habitat.
• We encourage swallows to nest in our many farm buildings and welcome their chatter each spring.
• We have built many bird nest boxes and feeders and placed them around the farm yard.
• All of the lamb and poultry eaten at Shacklabank is reared here and is from our native Rough Fell sheep and Free Range Maran/Light Sussex hens.
• All eggs used to make all our cakes, pastry and breads in the farmhouse kitchen are laid by our own hens and ducks and we use organic flours.
• The beef is from Shacklabank and sourced from a local farmer less than 5 miles from here.
• The pork, sausage, and bacon is also sourced from a local farmer less than 5 miles from Shacklabank.
• Freshwater fish is sourced locally less than 10 miles away, from our clean rivers and lakes.
• All milk and dairy products are sourced from local farms in Cumbria
• Vegetables and herbs are out of our garden and if not locally sourced from within 20 miles of Shacklabank are fresh and seasonal from local suppliers.
• We donate £1 from every holiday we sell in 2007 to The Tourism and Conservation Partnership to help protect the landscape here in Cumbria being Access, habitat & species and education, interpretation & the built environment.
• Support the local economy.
• Use Fair-trade teas, coffees, hot chocolates etc to support overseas farmers and growers
• Use organic soaps, shower gels and shampoos.
• All cleaning products and toilet papers are Eco-friendly.
• Shacklabank’s small brochure is printed on re-cycled stock, opting for e-mail communication wherever possible to reduce paper use.
• We have a re-cycle scheme in place at the farm for all waste products.
• We encourage all of our guests to arrive by public transport.
• 100% support for the "Fair Trade For farmers" campaign run by Country Living magazine.