For The Nare, sustainability runs deeper than words or gimmicks. Here, overlooking Carne Beach and the softly swelling waters of Gerrans Bay, the beauty and delicacy of nature is a constant presence. As a result, the hotel has maintained a deep and passionate connection to Cornwall, to rural life, and to the land that sustains both.
Led by proprietor Toby Ashworth, the hotel has spent many years implementing its own brand of sustainability initiatives. Affectionately known as 'Econitiatives', these measures aim to deliver genuinely impactful environmental benefits while never impacting the comfort or experience of hotel guests. In many cases, these were introduced long before such measures became commonplace.
The Nare strives to create an atmosphere of tranquillity and quiet elegance. Noisy, unsightly air conditioning heat exchangers were out of the question – not least because they pump out valuable energy into the atmosphere.
For the last 25 years, fridges have been water-cooled. The warm water is fed into the cold feed to the boiler to heat the hot water. Likewise, excess heat from the kitchen is transferred to the outdoor pool. When the pool is cleaned, the backwash wastewater – together with rainwater harvested from the beach hut roofs – provides greywater to flush the lavatories.
The hotel also has its own borehole, further helping to minimise water consumption. At the other end of the system, the hotel has its own sewerage plant. Being so close to the sea, this calls for particular environmental care. With this in mind, the hotel laundry has been relocated five miles inland to relieve pressure on such a sensitive coastal location.
Guests arriving by electric vehicle can enjoy the ease of on-site EV charging, with charging points located close to the hotel. Charging is complimentary for all hotel guests, offering a smooth and reassuring experience from the moment of arrival. Vehicles can be topped up while guests unwind, dine or explore the Roseland Peninsula, creating a calm and seamless stay.
Installing energy-saving measures in an old 1920s building is challenging. Rather than rewiring the whole building, the team opted for a discreet, centrally controlled system that makes use of the building's existing wiring. Installed some 20 years ago, this system switches off heating to unoccupied bedrooms and automatically controls outdoor lighting according to daylight hours.
In recognition of The Nare's special surroundings, gas and oil tanks have been moved underground and away from the coast. Solar PV panels have also been installed at the Tregony depot, away from the visible coastal location.
This inland site acts as a delivery hub, reducing the number of large lorries coming down to The Nare. It is planned to operate a park and ride service for staff, which will save fuel and sea-view parking spaces. Other services that do not need a sea-view location have also been relocated inland.
The Nare is proud to offer reusable freestanding dispensers for bathroom products. Replacing the small, fiddly single-use containers that are often thrown away after being barely used, helping to cut down on waste. In addition, paper packaging has replaced plastic packaging throughout the hotel.
Rubbish is sorted and recycled where possible, and linens, towels and soft furnishings that are past their best are given to or sold for charity.
Recently, a particularly satisfying donation to a local homeless charity provided starter packs of emergency home comforts to those in need.
For many years, The Nare has bottled its own drinking water on site, refilling its own‑label glass bottles rather than bringing in crates of single‑use alternatives.
Offering both still and sparkling, it’s a thoughtful touch that ensures guests have everything they need for a genuinely comfortable stay.
