In the last few years we have invested heavily in installing a biomass shed and fitting 246 solar panels.

The biomass supplies heating to all areas of our business in Balmaha.

Our solar panels produce power for our kitchen, bar, restaurant and refrigeration units. Even on duller days we can still make more than enough electricity to keep things ticking over.

We are currently installing a ground source heat pump (borehole) reaching down 201m to help with any additional heating needed within our buildings.

Our large polytunnel and vegetable garden is used to grow as many vegetables and herbs as we can for the hotel.

There are five grandchildren within the immediate family who all adore getting involved with the market garden here at the Oak Tree!

We sell local honey in our village shop, right here in Balmaha. The bees are housed in an apiary in our small orchard, where you will find a selection of apple, plum and pear trees. These trees provide fruit for many dishes on the Oak Tree menu. All the peels are composted on site.

Any leftover sliced fruit from our bar garnish trays is dried and used in cocktails or in our delectable gin perfect serves.

We use our fully electric vehicle, which are charged on site by our EV charging points, to gather all used coffee grounds from our coffee shops. These are then dried in the biomass shed and used as fuel and also in our palm-free natural soap.

Our coffee shops all offer and encourage the use of reusable coffee cups, which are recycled from single-use coffee cups by a company called ‘Circular and Co.’