Environmental Sustainability and Regenerative Tourism

Domestic Waste

Recycling facilities are provided alongside our made refuse points to encourage our customers to use these facilities.

You can recycle glass and cardboard (collected by Bottleman) as well as tins, cans, and plastic collected by Suez.  Batteries can be brought to the office.

Our general waste contract has also moved to Suez who have a zero to landfill policy.

In addition, where possible, the park recycles rubbish from the day to day running of the business such as office and packaging waste, ink cartridges etc.

We also aim to reduce waste at source so refill options are used where possible for cleaning products and swimming pool chemicals.

We direct customers to the East Devon Council Recycling facility at Wilmington for larger items to be disposed of.  

Over the years we have developed strong relationships with local suppliers and local branches of some national businesses. 

In our Shop

We actively seek out Devon and Dorset companies for day to day basics sold in our shop as well as holiday treats.
Examples of the these include Norcotts Cider and Moores Dorset Biscuits.
Other shop suppliers include:   Hunts Foodservice who have recently been B Corp certified, Devon based wholesalers Otterdene, Youings and J&R Foodservice.  

Using local tradesmen and local suppliers for building and park maintenance supplies:

Bradfords, AJ Supplies, Blampayne Sawmills, Mole Avon, Spot On Supplies and Axminster Printers Seaton Print, Coly Electrical, Coast Heating Solutions.

Andrewshayes has 3 charging points on the park.

Two are overnight chargers 7kWh  - ideal if you are not in a rush.

If you want a quicker top up before heading to the beach then the 22 kWh medium fast charge unit from is also available.

The chargers use the Monta app 

The charge unit rate is are kept lower than many public charging sites. (55p/Kwh March 2025)

Please note we do not permit charging from EHU points on our touring and tent pitches or from static caravans - if you are seen doing this there will be a £25 excess payment charge.

The park has always striven to enhance the environment and bio-diversity for wildlife.

The park continues to develop of habitat areas, leaving field boundaries wild and the planting of native trees, shrubs and wild flowers. We annually take part in the The David Bellamy Blooming Marvellous Pledge for Nature. Through this we have:  

• added nature interpretation boards so families can learn more about our local wildlife and a nature trail quiz is a available.  
• been awarded awarded Honey Bee Friendly Status
• received a special commendation for our woodland 
• increased our no mow areas and added a wildlife pollinator patch
• added log piles for bug hotels
• encourage guests to visit wildlife reserves such as Seaton Wetlands
• offer and nature trail around the park

  You can read more about the scheme here.

The park is a Gold Award winner in the David Bellamy Environmental Scheme. 

The park has a beautiful woodland walk suitable for the whole family which is filled with birds who can feast on the wild cherries and insects. Accessible gates make this suitable for mobility scooters and pushchairs

Our Orchard Retreat is named after the avenue of apple trees along side it. These are a mixture of heritage eating and cider apples.  The Orchard Retreat has also been planted with native trees and for the millennium we planted a Mulberry tree.

The park is a Member of the Devon Wildlife Trust making regular donations.

Outdoor events and ideas for local walks, maps and days e.g. at local nature reserves are shared in our well stock information room. 

You can also learn more about how we are reducing our carbon footprint by linking up with The Word Forest Organisation and planting trees in Kenya.

The Word Forest Organisation

First Planted in 2006, our small woodland is a lovely place for a stroll where you are surrounded by native trees, shrubs and flowers and birdsong is all around you.  Access is opposite the main park entrance and a walk takes about 20 minutes. It is pushchair accessible in dry weather but can be muddy at times.

This wonderful nature haven is full of trees like wild cherry, ash, oak and native hedging, spindle berry, rowan and hazel, with bluebells in the spring and wild grass.

It really is a lovely walk at any time of year or a just place to sit and listen for the birds and find the squirrels. You may even come across some deer.

Have a look at our short video on the Woodlands, Click Here to see our Woodland walk video

A Reed Bed Water Treatment Plant is an eco-friendly system that purifies wastewater through natural processes. Ours was built in the 1960’s and over the years has been expanded so that it still functions to the capacity of the park despite our growth.

It has two main sections to is as all our waste water and sewage enters the systems.

How the System Works

A trickling filter is a biological wastewater treatment system.  The first stage consists of a large bed filled with porous rocks and the separated wastewater is continually sprinkled over the top via a rotating boom, allowing it to slowly trickle down. As it passes through, microorganisms living on the material consume and break down organic pollutants in the sewage.

The main tanks are emptied periodically (more solid matter!) but all the water goes through the system.

The partially cleaned water then moves to the Reed Bed

The second phase is the reed bed relies, a carefully designed basin filled with gravel, densely planted with aquatic reeds which host massive colonies of microorganisms that naturally break down pollutants

Wastewater is dosed in batches from the top, allowing air to deeply penetrate the bed between doses. This highly aerobic process is incredibly efficient at breaking down solid organic matter and removing ammonia.

It drips into the reed bed and slowly percolates through layers of gravel or sand. This physically filters out suspended solids and acts as a surface for beneficial bacteria to cling to.

The Plant's Role: The Common Reed (Phragmites australis) is typically used. The reeds transfer oxygen down through their stems directly to their root zone (rhizosphere), creating a highly oxygen-rich environment for the bacteria to thrive.  The bacteria and microorganisms digest organic pollutants and convert toxic nutrients (like ammonia) into harmless by products.

Water flows continuously just beneath the surface from one end to the other creates an anoxic environment that is highly effective at "polishing" (giving a final clean to) already partially treated water and reducing heavy metals.

Eventually the water passes from the reedbed into a natural small watercourse. It is tested on a regular basis to ensure that the reedbed is working effectively.  

Benefits of Reed Beds

Eco-Friendly: They operate almost entirely on gravity and natural biological processes, requiring zero to minimal electricity or chemical dosing.

Low Maintenance: They are highly durable, and once established, they blend naturally into the surrounding landscape while encouraging biodiversity.

Bio-Diversity: The reedbed is a wildlife magnet for insects to thrive and encourages birds and small animals to the area.

Water Conservation

The park has it's own sewage treatment plant with a reed bed filtration system. Surrounded by willow tress and shrubs it is absolute wildlife haven (see separate tab).

Bore holes supply much of the park's water reducing the demand from the national water system. Water is filtered and made safe through a UV filter

We offer caravan storage to help reduce road miles 
Seasonal Pitches, help keep caravans off the road and encourage guest so to keep exploring and supporting the local economy
Book Exchange as well as DVDs to borrow
Toy Library in a repurposed telephone box
Source sustainable suppliers and products e.g. recycled tyres as the new playpark surface
Reducing single use plastics in our shop

Read our full Environmental Policy here. 

Environmental Statement

Our aim is to continually improve all aspects of our park to ensure that:

a) we minimise the collective impact our park and its visitors have on the environment
b) we actively seek ways to improve the natural environment and wildlife of the park though regenerative methods
c) consider our staff, the local community and local economy
d) consider the impact our purchasing actions have on other communities

The aims of the statement will be carried out in the following areas.

1. SUSTAINABILITY AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

We will assess the environmental impact of all our future developments. We also continue to look closely at our current operations, adopting eco-friendly measures where possible. Our aim is to ensure our business has a minimal carbon foot print, to be sustainable and actively improve our natural and social environment where ever we can.

We are committed to reducing the pollution and waste produced by our park.

We aim to reduce the consumption of raw materials, energy and supplies on our park, using sustainable alternatives where ever possible.

We expect high environmental standards from all our suppliers and contractors.

By providing recycling facilities and local information we hope to encourage our customers to respect the environment and encourage guests to reduce their carbon footprint.

2. WILDLIFE

Andrewshayes actively enhances the environment and bio-diversity of the park wildlife by enhancing habitat areas, continuing to plant native trees and shrubs and local species. We hope to encourage insects and birds, including owls e.g. by providing suitable nesting sites and habitats.

We ask visitors to respect the plants and wildlife and instruct children not to harm them.

Andrewshayes has signed the Honey Bee Pledge, ensuring that we actively promote and develop habitats to secure the future of the honey bee and other pollinators.

Interpretation and Information

We aim to encourage visitors to learn more about the local wildlife through interpretation boards and by providing details of nearby wildlife nature reserves and events.

3. PEOPLE

Ensure fair and equal pay to all members of staff. Support staff with training including on environmental matters and accessibility.

Employ local staff and tradesmen and suppliers for site work when possible.

Help educate staff to make sustainable decisions during day to day activities around the park.

4. SUPPORTING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Ensure noise and light pollution are kept to a minimum and hedges for screening well maintained.

Maintain an updated web site with clear directions to avoid visitors getting lost and driving through the lanes.

Provide seasonal touring pitches which reduce the need for towing.

Promote Things to Do within 10 miles of the park and local Information is provided in the information room. Advertise local independent shops, pubs and restaurants.

Provide details of dog walks / footpaths / local walks and public transport to reduce use of cars whilst on holiday.

Encourage and support local and environmental charities, we are members of the Devon Wildlife Trust.

5. PURCHASING

Andrewshayes will consider the environmental consequences of all our purchasing decisions.

Use local suppliers where possible and have local produce items for sale in the shop. We pledge to reduce single use plastic items for sale.