How we run a farm, a venue, and a sustainable escape
We have been farming organically in Essex for over twenty years. For us, sustainability is the way we live and work on this land every day.
Whether you are here for a wedding at Tey Brook Orchard, an event at Chalkney Water Meadows, or a quiet night in a cabin, our goal is the same: to make sure your stay leaves the land better than we found it.
Here is how we are making that happen.
Powered by the sun
In 2024, we decided to let the sun do the heavy lifting. We installed massive 50,000kW solar arrays across both our sites, complete with battery storage.
It means our venues and cabins are completely off-grid and energy self-sufficient. We are even hooking up the farm offices and the main farmhouse to the system at Tey Brook Orchard. Add in the fact that our pop-up venues only run during the warmer months, and our energy consumption is naturally low.
Organic from the ground up
We haven't used harsh chemicals on this land for over 20 years. Nature always gets the front seat.
The hardest workers: We have our own beehives on the farm. They keep the local ecosystem thriving, pollinate the wildflowers we have planted, and are an essential part of the property.
The woodlands: Back in 1988, we planted a 20-acre woodland. Today, it is a haven for local wildlife and provides all the sustainably managed firewood for your cabin's wood burner.
The vineyard: We are currently growing grapes organically and biodynamically. The goal is to make our own low-impact wine for your events. Watch this space.
Giving things a second life
We prefer to make use of what we already have.
Fun fact: That beautiful bar top at Chalkney Water Meadows? It used to be a fallen tree on the farm. Those quirky accommodations in the woods? Repurposed grain silos and old shepherds' huts.
When it comes to actual rubbish, we partner with Colchester Skip Hire. They sort and recycle locally at a state-of-the-art centre, diverting 99% of our waste away from landfills. Even your food waste plays a part. It gets processed to generate electricity for over 7,000 local homes.
The little things that add up
We obsess over the details so you do not have to. Every supplier we work with, from food to flowers, is local. It keeps transport emissions down and supports the community.
Tree-free toilet roll: We use Bazoo. It is 100% tree-free, and every purchase helps protect endangered habitats.
B-Corp scents: Our cabins smell incredible thanks to St Eval diffusers. They are a certified B Corp that won a Queen's Award for Sustainable Development.
Solar-powered sleep: Even the sheets you sleep on are rented from a local operator that runs on solar power and recycles their water.
Natural confetti only: Throw dried flowers, leaves, or nothing at all. We like to keep our dirt clean.
Sustainability is not just a practice for us; it is our identity. We are committed to making sure your stay is as responsible as it is memorable.
