10 Sustainable Getaways By Ferry
Discover Ferries proves an eco-friendly holiday can offer all the fun, frills and adventure that travellers want.
Top Image Côte d’Opale: Hauts-de-France Tourisme, Laurène Philippot
These destinations show there is plenty to see and do while respecting nature and they can all be reached by ferry. Generous baggage allowances and the ability to take your bike or fill your car makes it easy to take both your essentials and any luxuries, which means you don’t need to be among the 82% of holidaymakers who purchase items they could’ve brought from home.
Better yet, you are saving on waste as you don’t need to be among the 71% of Brits who throw items away or leave them behind due to luggage restrictions. You can make your trip even more sustainable by following Discover Ferries’ tips.
Lodge under a dome on the Isle of Wight
Tom’s Eco Lodge at Tapnell Farm takes glamping to the next level. Depending on the size of your party, choose to stay in Safari Tents, Wood Cabins, Modulogs, Eco Pods or luxury Geodesic Domes. Complete with en-suite facilities, the Domes are available year-round and with large geometric windows, giving residents fantastic sea views.
They have a cosy lounge area complete with a log burner and each dome has an outdoor area with a BBQ and firepit, some even have a wood-burning outdoor tub. Guests can use the communal pizza oven situated behind the Safari Tents, collect their own eggs for breakfast from the Guest Services & Visitor Information Hub and top up on essentials from the Farm Park Gift Shop.
• Reach the Isle of Wight with Hovertravel, Red Funnel or Wightlink.
Disconnect on The Isle of Skye
Skye Eco Bells in the North West of the Island is a small, eco-friendly glamping retreat. Set in native woodlands the site is just a mile walk from the volcanic Bharcasaig Beach. Off the grid, the site has no electricity or WiFi helping visitors to disconnect from the digital world. Rechargeable lanterns and candles provide lighting and whether you are staying in one of the Finnish cabins or the Bell Tent, you have your own private fire pit. Bring your binoculars so you can spot eagles and shy red squirrels.
Best of all, this natural gem is not far from world-renowned restaurant, The Three Chimneys. Committed to community and conserving Skye, the venue sources 75% of its produce from within Scotland, it purchases fish approved by the Marine Conservation Society and reduces waste by doing much of its butchery and preparing products such as bread, pastries and preserves in house. The kitchens are even working to eliminate single-use items such as cling-film, aluminium foil and baking parchment.
• Sail to Skye with Caledonian MacBrayne.
Stay in Europe’s first sustainable hotel
The Iveagh Garden Hotel in the heart of Dublin opened with the aim to have the lowest carbon footprint possible yet still offer exceptional guest experience. Stylish, comfortable and eco-friendly it overlooks the ethereal Iveagh Gardens, which are often nicknamed Dublin’s “secret garden”. The river Swan, which flows directly underneath the hotel, powers the heating and cooling systems and its natural energy plant room uses energy generated on site to produce hot water. The hotel has just installed a new solar energy project comprising solar 220 panels that will further reduce its carbon footprint by 40 tonnes per year.
Excellent for fitness enthusiasts, the hotel has partnered with Icon Health Club, which was voted Best Gym in Dublin and is a mere three-minute walk from the lobby. After a workout, unwind in the thermal suite complete with saunas and steam rooms.
• Rail-sail tickets to Dublin offer a car-free travel option at great value. Take the train to Holyhead and sail to Dublin with Irish Ferries or Stena Line.
Connect with nature in Normandy’s parklands
The Perche Regional Natural Park is one of the most peaceful and scenic corners of the region. Established in the late 1990’s this lesser-known destination features upland forests, wet meadows and orchards. With some of France’s clearest skies, stargazing is a must! The unspoilt countryside encourages visitors to indulge in long scenic walks, take horse-drawn nature treks and sample delicious local produce such as mushrooms, black pudding, cider, Calvados and cheeses – leave enough space in the car to bring some home!
Stay at Le Boistier, a restored 15th century manor located on an organic farm. Part of the Panda WWF scheme, the owners even provide a nature trunk packed with information about the local flora and fauna. With direct access to hiking trails and bridle paths, guests can explore on two legs or four: the gite also loans bicycles if you fancy taking off on wheels.
• Travel to Normandy with Britanny Ferries or DFDS from the UK or with Britanny Ferries, Stena Line or Irish Ferries from Ireland.
A night in the dunes in the Netherlands
For a seaside trip with a difference, head to DuinHotel. Hidden in the highest dune of Zoutelande this unique lodge-style accommodation is designed to offer privacy and amazing views of the sands and sea. Integrated with the landscape, the rooms and terraces incorporate dune grasses, Basalt stone and natural materials as well as large glass doors ensure guests feel connected to their surroundings. The hotel is close to the seaside town of Domburg, which has been recognised as a health resort since Roman times. The sandy beach hosts a variety of sports activities from volleyball and surfing to yoga classes and the neighbouring oak forest is perfect for hikes and bike rides.
• Sail to the Netherlands with DFDS, P&O Ferries or Stena Line.
Image Tresco aerial view: Isles of Scilly Travel
Wander in the Isles of Scilly
Tresco has long led the way for sustainability in the Isles of Scilly and a key partner in the Smart Islands project, which strives to build a low carbon future. It is car-free. Electric transport shuttles, golf buggies, bicycles and electric mobility scooters help people get around.
If you can, the best way to see everything is on foot. The island proudly supports The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, which conserves heritage and native wildlife on the Isles of Scilly. The organisation also maintains more than 85km of paths to ensure residents and visitors can respect nature while exploring. Holiday accommodation is built with efficiency prioritised. Air source heat pumps, heat exchangers in swimming pools and solar panels all help to save energy.
• Travel to St Mary’s by sea from Penzance with Isle of Scilly Travel before taking a transfer boat to Tresco.
Is this the greenest city break?
The Corner reports to be the Greenest Hotel in London. Consuming 41% less water than other UK hotels and with less than 67% CO2 emissions than the industry average, this hotel also prides itself on its vegan menu and upcycled furniture. Just a mile from Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ pier at Tower Bridge, visitors can explore the city emission-free along the river. Glide by the capital’s historic landmarks. Head to Battersea where the old power station has been transformed into leisure and retail space – the site is even home to Peregrine Falcons and Black Redstarts, two species that are listed under Birds of Conservation Concern.
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Get back to nature on the Isle of Man
The whole of the Isle of Man holds UNESCO Biosphere status, which recognises the island’s wildlife, unique culture, and encourages sustainability for all businesses and attractions. This includes the picture-perfect holiday cottages on Smeale Farm, which are nestled in the beautiful Manx countryside and close to the Ayres National Nature Reserve. The historic Thie y Ribbeyder – or the Trapper’s House – is named after the cottage’s last permanent residents, the rabbit trappers, who came over from Scotland to help local farmers control rabbit populations. It has since been renovated to incorporate modern amenities and ensure it is accessible for people with wheelchairs, while retaining its vintage charm.
The real beauty of staying at this self-catering property, is the opportunity to shop locally and cook up a storm and pick up some hyperlocally-made goodies for breakfast. Enjoy milk and yoghurt from Aalin Dairy, honey and strawberries from nearby Ballanelson Nurseries local jams and bacon from Andreas Meat Co – all located within a few miles of the cottage.
• Sail to Douglas with Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
Encounter endangered species on Jersey
One of Jersey’s most famous residents is conservationist Gerald Durrell, who chose to set up a Zoo on the island. Today the Durrell team work across the world to protect endangered animals. The Durrell Wildlife Camp offers five star accommodation surrounded by some of the world’s rarest species. Stay in luxury pods complete with wood burning stoves and logs and enjoy the privacy of your own kitchen, showers and loos. Every guest gets free entry to the zoo.
• Sail across with DFDS (from 28th March 2025). Condor Ferries operate the service until 27th March.
Tour France’s Opal Coast
The attractive campsite La Bien Assise is set within the grounds of a 19th century mansion (open from April-September). The spacious pitches are spread beneath the trees and surrounded by nature, yet it still boasts the comfort of a traditional restaurant with a terrace for al fresco dining, tennis courts, a heated covered pool and a paddling pool area with water slides for children. Visit the local towns of Wimereaux, Bolougne sur Mer and Le Touquet or get on your bike to cycle stretches of the Velomaritime. This 1,500km route along the northern French coast can be tackled in stages, meaning even fair weather cyclists can enjoy the coastal views of chalk cliffs and sandy beaches.
• Sail to Calais with DFDS, Irish Ferries or P&O Ferries, or to Dunkirk with DFDS from Dover and Rosslare.
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