Award Winning Historic Estate Takes a Very Modern Eco-Route to Sustainability

Trelowarren Estate, on the Lizard peninsula, Cornwall, has been in the same family since the 15th century. Generations have lived and died here, gone to war, fought and been imprisoned, released and escaped to reclaim of their beautiful part of the world. But the last century has been more challenging. World Wars and recessions took their toll until the estate was almost bankrupt, the current owner having to sell firewood to keep a little cash coming in.

Now, it appears, Trelowarren is finally on the up. The estate has managed to identify and tap a very sustainable cash-flow, improve and manage its historic and environmental heritage, deliver serious benefits to both visitors and locals alike, and it’s winning major tourism prizes for its achievements.

So, what’s happened?

We might think that sustainability is a new word for a new idea. But it’s not. Sustainability is a very old concept, particularly for Britain’s aristocracy.

In London, there are no more successful organisations than the Grosvenor family (who own and manage 300 acres of Belgravia and Mayfair) and the Howard de Walden family (who own 90 acres of chic Marylebone). If economic sustainability means constantly increasing assets and income – then a few hundred years of both would seem to be a valid indicator.

The key is to get a good income whilst still managing and improving the prime asset. In other words not killing – or selling, rather protecting and enhancing, – the goose that lays the golden eggs. Sustainability, in other words.

Trelowarren is a beautiful 1,000 acre part-wooded estate on the Lizard peninsula which encompasses the most southern point of the United Kingdom. The Lizard is holiday paradise – unspoilt beaches, lovely bays and inlets, pretty villages, unique biodiversity, delightful farmlands.

The Lizard is history paradise too, its cultural heritage is fascinating and diverse and Trelowarren has been an integral part of it. Many of Daphne du Maurier’s novels were based here, in particular ‘Frenchman’s Creek’, exemplifying the colourful history of the area which is dotted with exciting places to explore.

So, what is Trelowarren doing that is so fundamentally sustainable?

Creating state-of-the-art eco-dwellings is an expensive and difficult task and requires very competent, committed, highly paid artisans. Selling them as time-shares on 30-year leases maximises cash-flow and means that they revert to the estate after just one generation. The cash enables the estate to maximise its conservation of both properties and environment.

Because the estate manages the whole operation, it can design its own image, choose its purchasers, have an effect on everything that’s sold and produced. There is no reason why it can’t be practically self-sufficient.

The tenor of the development – very thoughtful and high quality – is reflected in everything the estate does from the vast woodchip boiler which provides hot water and heating for the entire estate, to the local pebbles in the swimming pool.

At Trelowarren the accent is on quality and conservation. Although the time-share’s interiors are clearly luxurious, care has been taken to consider the environmental implications of everything, from the water – which comes from the estate’s borehole and appears from aerated taps to ensure that less is used – to the organic linen, green cleaning products and contents of the fridge, sourced by the community foods scheme, enabling guests to choose from a wide-range of local produce before they arrive. Even the walls are extra thick on new-builds, the exterior wood is local covering a hollow interior of treated newspapers for extra insulation.

And the restaurant is a masterclass in the same attitude. Luxurious, harmonious surroundings, very good food, exceptional service, and an eye for sustainability at every turn. Of course, almost totally locally sourced ingredients, perfectly cooked is a given.

The whole offer has clearly been clearly designed to fulfil a specific market need. Why should guests stint on luxury and quality for the sake of sustainability if, with a little extra thought, all can be brought together in one integral package?

The result is a very high quality development that appears to fulfil the needs of all its stakeholders. Guests obtain very high quality holidays; the estate maximises its assets and its cashflow without losing control of its legacy; locals benefit from employment, training and business opportunities; local environment and culture is cherished and enhanced.

It’s not surprising to note that the instigator of this development, Sir Ferrers Vyvyan, takes his responsibilities seriously – he is, after all, High Sheriff of Cornwall. Clearly, the whole has been created with an eye to a long term future, hopefully at least as long as Trelowarren’s past.

More information: www.trelowarren.com

Valere Tjolle