Nearly 41 million tourists visited Britain in 2019. Travellers flock from all over the world, enchanted by everything Britain has to offer. From the museums of London to the mountains of Scotland, Britain is a haven for travel.
Many communities in Britain rely on tourism to survive. However, with the rise of Airbnb and the ever-increasing volumes of cars on Britain’s roads, we must remind ourselves that travel and tourism can also have profound impacts on local people and places.
We must, therefore, think about how we can limit the negative impacts of tourism. In particular, we need to ensure that each trip contributes to the long-term health of local communities and the environment. With that in mind, here are 7 tips on how to visit Britain sustainably.
1: Choose a sustainable form of transport to explore Britain
Offset the carbon impact of your flight to Britain
If you travel to Britain from overseas, particularly outside of Europe, you will almost certainly fly. For many travellers on tight timescales, catching a flight will be a necessity.
Flying is, by some measure, the most carbon-intensive form of transport. According to the BBC, a return flight from London to San Francisco will emit over twice the carbon produced by the average family car each year.
Many airlines now offer the option to offset your flight’s carbon footprint. If you do not want to sign up to your airline’s prescribed scheme, there are many independent routes to choose from. One option is Carbon Neutral Britain, who fund a number of projects from tree planting to renewable energy.
Travel around Britain by public transport
According to official statistics, there were over 39 million licensed vehicles in Britain in 2021. Most of these are private cars and motorcycles, which, after flying, are the most carbon-intensive way of travelling around Britain.
Britain has a well-established public transport network, comprising primarily of trains and buses. In major cities, you can also use mass public transit networks such as the Underground or trams.
The National Rail website is the best source for up-to-date train timetables in Britain. Google Maps will help you navigate local bus routes, whilst National Express has the largest network of intercity coaches in the UK.
Make the most of these public transport networks, and you will be well on your way to making sure you visit Britain sustainably. You can even use public transport to visit Britain’s National Parks, such as the Lake District, without a car.
2: Buy souvenirs from local suppliers and shops
Buying souvenirs from local artisans and craftspeople is a great way to support the communities you are visiting. Britain has a long history of manufacturing, and you can find some wonderful gifts wherever you stay.
A great example of local souvenirs in Britain is Cherrydidi, who ‘champion start-up arts and crafts businesses’ and offer a wide range of handmade gifts and souvenirs from the Lake District.
From Britain with Love have an excellent directory of ethical UK makers and creators. Perhaps you will find an artisan nearby?
3: Stay in sustainable accommodation throughout Britain
One of the best ways to make your trip to Britain sustainable is to choose your accommodation carefully. Communities in popular areas like Cornwall, Snowdonia and the Lake District continue to suffer with rising house prices caused by second-homes and investment properties. Cutting through the thousands of options and finding low-impact accommodation is one of the best ways to ensure you visit Britain sustainably.
We suggest:
- Looking for independent hotels or guesthouses run by locals and employing local staff.
- Researching the eco-credentials of your accommodation. For example, does your Bed and Breakfast source its produce from local suppliers? Read our list of the best sustainable B&Bs in the Lake District here.
- Avoid staying in Airbnbs and self-catering accommodation unless you know the property is owned by someone in the local area. Annexes and guest suites are perfect.
4: Pay attention to Green Tourism Awards
The Green Tourism awards, based in Edinburgh, aim to recognise ‘the commitment of tourism businesses which are actively working to become more sustainable‘.
Their tiered award system – Bronze, Silver and Gold – has gained global recognition as an indicator of a business’ commitment to green tourism.
Look out for their logo when researching places to stay in Britain, or research businesses directly through the Green Tourism Business Directory.
5: Eat in some of Britain’s independent cafes and restaurants
Like with accommodation, eating in independent, locally-owned establishments is a great way to increase the sustainability of your trip to Britain.
As well as ensuring that your money goes directly into the local economy, rather than siphoned off to a large corporation, supporting an independent cafe or restaurant can change lives.
Many independent establishments in Britain are driven by a higher purpose, with a mission beyond simply making the most profit. For example, London-based Second Shot Coffee ‘trains, employs and supports people affected by homelessness’, helping people to transition to long-term, stable employment in the wider economy.
6: Take part in low-impact activities across Britain
Britain is blessed with an almost endless array of activities to delight and excite travellers. However, some of these activities can be damaging to both the environment and communities. For example, helicopter tours are not only a fossil-fuel intense way to explore a new place, but also cause endless noise pollution for residents under the flight path.
To help you visit Britain sustainably, we suggest seeking out low-impact activities such as:
- Hiking on established trails through Britain’s stunning countryside
- Exploring Britain’s waterways using self-propelled transport such as kayaks or canoes
- Stargazing in some of Britain’s dark-sky parks
- Cycling through some of Britain’s beautiful villages and towns
7: Visit attractions that are creating a positive, sustainable impact in their community
Many small enterprises and attractions across Britain are creating a positive impact in their community and local environment. By researching your destination before travelling, you can discover some of the amazing work happening on your doorstep.
One of the most well-known examples is the Knepp estate in West Sussex. This pioneering farm has dedicated over twenty years to a groundbreaking rewilding project. Their aim is to ‘establish a functioning ecosystem where nature is given as much freedom as possible.’
Visitors can wander the wild trails of the estate, spotting a wide range of animals along their way – from farmyard classics like pigs and cattles, to reintrdocued species like White Storks, which breed successfully on the site..
You may also find organisations offering opportunities to learn ancient skills like hedge-laying. Not only are you helping to maintain a thriving natural habitat, but you are also keeping a special skill alive.
We hope you find these ideas useful as you make your trip to Britain more sustainable. We would love to hear from you with additional tips and suggestions to add to the list.