Regenerative Tourism

Regenerative Tourism at Cragend Farm 

Article by Rosalind Mullen for AA Media Visit Britain as part of our Tourism Accreditation as a rosette holder. Our thanks to publishing what we are aiming for with sustainability.

When Lou and her husband Shaun Renwick bought the 150-acre farm with Grade II* listed buildings in 2011, they embarked on a restoration project that both preserves the farm’s heritage and showcases regenerative tourism at its best. 

The farm is itself a sustainable business, with a self-catering cottage and two B&B rooms, with rates starting at £860 a week and £135 a night respectively. As well as investing in a carbon neutral biomass log burning heating system, the couple have introduced rare breed animals to graze the land sustainably and offer tours of Lord Armstrong’s hydraulic silo tower, turbines and weighbridge, as well as the Celtic Camp and Ducal Border Reiver settlement on their land. 

"Our self-catering cottage has an inhouse heating eco-system, so we reward our guests with a Carbon-Neutral Eco-Stay Certificate, recognizing their contribution to a more sustainable future. By choosing to stay with us, they've helped lower their carbon footprint—and every stay makes a difference. They love that because although they can’t always be as sustainable at home, they have done it on holiday.” 

The couple have been on a sustainable journey from the start, gaining accolades such as the Green Tourism Award, becoming Carbon Literacy accredited and a partnership with the local Wildlife Trust, which supports the regeneration of farmland.

While the couple have been in the vanguard of regenerative tourism, tourist businesses across Northumberland are now receiving incentives from Destination North East England, which was granted £2.25m in government funding over three years to deliver the first-ever Destination Development Partnership pilot in England. “It has had a big impact on us and on what we can do next – such as workshops and training courses, so we learn and grow and can create strategies to do better for our visitors,” says Lou.

Looking ahead, the couple are hoping to get a grant to set up and market the tree trail they have created in their 40 acres of woodland, which encourages visitors to identify trees throughout a two-hour walk. This initiative aims to create greater accessibility for both the local community and visitors to the North East, particularly for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy arboretum walks and panoramic countryside views. 

Lou is keen to point out that regeneration initiatives do not compromise comfort and quality. So, while there are crisp cotton environmentally eco sheets, there are also upcycled items, and recycled plastics, because the couple are passionate about providing comfortable beds and beautiful furnishings. “We feel strongly about making a positive impact; that’s why people choose to stay with us. They’re looking for more than just a comfortable bed; they like to support a place that shares their values.”