An Eden couple swapped their careers in business training and consultancy for a life renovating and letting historic properties, and discovered that sustainability was a recipe for success.
The popularity of holiday homes company A Corner of Eden has shown there is a strong business case for using sustainable materials and products in the county’s tourism offerings.
Debbie Greaves, a former training co-ordinator at Impact Training, based in Windermere, along with husband Richard – who headed up the company’s European office – had long held the dream of working for themselves in a country setting. In 2005, they spotted a derelict farm up for auction and eyed up the opportunity to make their dream come true.
The holiday business offers three lets at Ravenstonedale, near Kirkby Stephen, providing a mix of luxury and rustic charm, alongside a dedication to sustainability fixtures and fittings.
Debbie says: “We did a real eco build and that was 14 years ago. We started quite early on in terms of putting renewables in. We put ground source heat pump in. We used lining with sheep’s wool from Thermafleece, a Penrith-based company, as well as underfloor heating, solar panels.
“We chose local businesses for all our products, or British-based businesses. The carpets were made from Wools of Cumbria, Herdwick-based sheep’s carpets. We use a lot of locally-based products.
Debbie feels that there is a real business case for sustainable tourism in their corner of Cumbria.
“Guests are really interested in our story and how we pulled these buildings back from being derelict, back into something that is beautiful. Work that is sustainable, it can create stunning properties.
“One of the beds that Richard made was from the wooden cow stalls that were in the barn, that are probably from around the 1600s. He used those to create a beautiful four-poster bed in Angel Barn.
“Sustainability is something we always considered right from the early days. We do a lot of reusing and using old products and things that we have around, giving a very individual look to our cottages.”
The couple live at the site, and are very hands on when it comes to their work. They have renovated and developed the historic properties that were all quite dilapidated in the space of about eight years, transforming them into an oasis of luxury.
The decision to launch their business was as much of a lifestyle change, as a career change and business opportunity.
“Richard had renovated a couple of buildings before, he really enjoys taking something that was run down and putting life into it and creating something new,” says Debbie.
“It was partly about that. It was partly about looking for a different sort of life, moving from an office job, for me, into something where you can work from home. Eventually the business got so big and the business got so busy, that Richard left his full-time job as well and we ran it both together.
“We have very much enjoyed the change. It is an amazing place to live. It is surrounded by farmland, green fields as far as you can see. It changes throughout the season, and guests return at different seasons to see that but we get the joy of being here all the time. It is a wonderful place to live, we’re very lucky. The business grew organically as we have gone along.”
Recently they have branched out into a new luxury retreat on the Isle of Harris, a major development that has been announced as a winner in the first ever Making Better Homes Awards, run by builders merchant Jewson.
The property won top spot in the Best Sustainable Project category of the awards, receiving praise for its eco-credentials and design features, as well as its consideration of the local environment.
Debbie is from Silecroft originally, near Millom, her family also hailing from the west coast of the county. Richard is from Duffield near Derby, although he has lived in Cumbria for over 35 years, the pair previously based in Windermere.
Debbie says as well as five local ladies who help out with change overs, another crucial member of their team is Ned their Border Terrier, who performs an important marketing role – not least supporting their credentials as dog friendly holiday lets.
“Ned always makes sure all furry friends are very welcome,” says Debbie. “He’s a key part of our marketing campaign and all our guests love him!”
With their eco-friendly properties proving so satisfying, do they have plans for future restorations?
“It depends on who you ask,” says Debbie. “If you ask me, I’ll probably say no, four is enough. If you ask Richard he can’t wait to start on another one. So watch this space!”
