SUSTAINABLE VENUE

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Our Commitment to Sustainability

At The Manor Gardens, we are committed to preserving the environment and promoting sustainable practices, we strive to minimise our environmental impact and protect the natural beauty of our estate. By choosing to host your event with us, you are supporting a venue that prioritises the health of our planet. We believe that by working together, we can create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

The wider Birling Estate’s environmental stewardship holds sustainable principles at its core – from using solar PV arrays for renewable energy, to improving soil health and providing new habitats for wildlife. Revenue from weddings and events are reinvested into nature recovery (meadows, wetland, ponds, hedgerows, woodland and field margins) and carbon reduction projects across the Estate.

Sustainability Charter

Following a devastating fire in 1917, the Manor House was burnt to the ground and the gardens left to nature. Since restoring the gardens and arboretum in 2012, the site has been developed around sustainable principles, helping to preserve and enhance the natural environment in which it’s sited:

  • Nature’s Decorations: Embracing the natural beauty of our surroundings means minimal additional decorations are needed. We encourage the use of seasonal, locally sourced flower petals over balloons or confetti.
  • Electricity Supply: Our main electricity is provided by a renewable energy supplier. We ask guests to avoid using generators where possible, due to their emissions and noise levels.
  • Luxury Composting Loos: Our porcelain-seated composting toilets are designed to be indistinguishable from conventional toilets. We spread the composted waste on our arable fields to improve soil health and reduce fertiliser inputs and our carbon footprint. The toilets are also wheelchair accessible, with ramped access to ensure inclusivity.
  • Recycling & Reusing Materials: We reduce waste by using natural and biodegradable products.
  • Sustainable Construction: We build all our structures (toilet & shower building, kitchen space and seating) from timber coppiced within Birling Estate. The timber is processed in our sawmill and constructed by our in-house team, reducing carbon emissions from deliveries. Coppiced timber is classed as sustainable building practice and it sequesters carbon inside the felled tree.
  • Giant Hat Tipi: The canvas is stitched in the UK, with timber poles sourced from sustainable forests in southeast England.
  • Transport: We encourage carpooling and biking to the venue for local guests. We can also arrange a mini-bus from the station for those traveling by train.
  • Local & Seasonal: We prefer using local food and drink suppliers to support the local economy and reduce food miles. We prioritise suppliers that use seasonal, organic, and fair-trade ingredients. Locally sourced, organic, farm-to-table catering can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of your event.
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