Sustainable Hospitality in Sussex

Q: How is Tottington Manor reducing its environmental impact?

Tottington Manor's sustainability work includes electrified kitchen equipment, efficient refrigeration and lighting, smart heating controls, reducing single-use plastics, filtered water bottling, recycling and food-waste separation, waste monitoring and future renewable-energy planning.

Q: Can we plan a greener business meeting or event at Tottington Manor?

Yes. Meetings, retreats, weddings and events can combine local food, low-waste hospitality, digital and hybrid facilities, accommodation and access to the South Downs.

Energy and carbon reduction

We have removed gas from the site and invested in electric kitchen equipment, efficient refrigeration and LED lighting. Smart heating controls and monitoring help us reduce unnecessary oil use, while heat recovery from our log burners supports hot water generation during winter. Our next stage is to continue reducing reliance on fossil fuels and progress renewable energy opportunities.

Sustainable dining at TERRA

TERRA means “of the land”, and that thinking shapes our menus. We prioritise Sussex meat, fish, dairy, produce, wines and spirits, designing seasonal dishes around quality ingredients from nearby farms and suppliers. This reduces food miles, supports regional producers and gives guests a genuine taste of the South Downs and Sussex.

TERRA was named BRAVO Sustainability Champion in 2025 by Restaurants Brighton, following a sustainability assessment process developed with the University of Brighton. Restaurants Brighton continues to feature TERRA in its guide to sustainable restaurants across Brighton and Sussex. We are also part of the Sussex Six local-food movement, which encourages hospitality businesses to deepen their use of Sussex-grown and Sussex-made food and drink.

See the 2025 BRAVO sustainability results · Restaurants Brighton sustainable restaurant guide · Tottington Manor on Sussex Food & Drink

Waste reduction and re-use

We have introduced filtered water bottling for the restaurant and events, removed single-use plastics from guest areas, moved to refillable toiletries and separate recycling and food waste across the site. Our chefs monitor food waste and use menu planning, portioning and supplier conversations to keep improving.

From efficient electric kitchens to heat recovery and smart controls, our energy programme is focused on using less, wasting less and making the building more comfortable for guests and team members.
Energy reduction

Local Sussex suppliers and sustainable dining

TERRA Restaurant celebrates Sussex produce, local wines and suppliers from around the South Downs, helping guest spend support the farmers, fishers, makers and trades who shape our region.
Local food

Waste reduction and water bottling at Tottington Manor

Our water bottling system, refillable guest toiletries, recycling separation and food waste monitoring all support a lower-waste approach to hotel stays, dining and events.
Waste reduction

Our progress so far

Our sustainability journey began with simple questions: what can we stop wasting, what can we source closer to home, and what investments will make the biggest difference over time?

Gas eliminated from the site following the conversion of our kitchens to electric equipment.
Single-use plastics removed from guest accommodation, dining and events wherever practical.
Filtered water bottled on site for restaurant and event service.
Energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration installed, supported by monitoring and grant-funded improvements.
Recognised through Green South Downs / Green Tourism and independent sustainable restaurant awards activity.

Green meetings and responsible events

Our location makes it easy for teams and event guests to combine productive time indoors with time outside in the South Downs. We support meetings, retreats, weddings and private events with high-speed leased-line internet, hybrid meeting facilities, local food and access to walks, cycling routes, vineyards and South Downs experiences.

For corporate organisers, this means a venue that supports wellbeing, low-waste hospitality and a stronger sense of place, without losing the practical facilities required for modern business events.

Independent Recognition & Local Partnerships

We want our sustainability claims to be grounded in practical action and connected to the organisations working on food, tourism and environmental improvement across Sussex and the South Downs.

BRAVO Sustainability Champion

TERRA at Tottington Manor won the 2025 BRAVO Sustainability Champion award. The category used a sustainability checklist developed with the University of Brighton, covering areas including energy, water, waste, menu choices and social sustainability.

Read the BRAVO 2025 results
View TERRA on Restaurants Brighton

Sussex Six & Local Food

Tottington Manor is listed with Sussex Six, the Sussex Food & Drink campaign encouraging restaurants, pubs, cafés and shops to increase the number of locally sourced products they serve and sell. That fits naturally with TERRA's focus on Sussex farms, vineyards, makers and suppliers.

Explore the Sussex Six campaign
See Tottington Manor's Sussex Food & Drink listing

Green South Downs

Our sustainability work also connects with Green South Downs, the sustainability certification programme created by the South Downs National Park Authority with Green Tourism for businesses in the National Park visitor economy. It looks at sustainability through the themes of People, Place and Planet.

Green South Downs & Green Tourism
Sustainable stays in the South Downs National Park

Our Sustainability Story in the News

Sustainability sits alongside the wider story of Tottington Manor as an independent South Downs hotel and TERRA as a food-led Sussex restaurant. Our News & Features hub brings together external coverage, awards and stories that provide additional context to the work described on this page.

Explore News & Features

Local Food, Landscapes & Low-Impact Stays

For guests, responsible tourism can also mean spending more time in one place: walking from the hotel, eating locally sourced food, discovering Sussex vineyards and producers and using Tottington Manor as a base for the South Downs rather than simply passing through.

Explore walks from Tottington Manor, dine at TERRA or plan a South Downs hotel stay.

What we are working on next

Sustainability is an ongoing journey. Our next steps include further reducing oil use, progressing renewable energy options, continuing to measure waste more closely, deepening relationships with local suppliers and helping guests make the most of low-impact experiences in the South Downs.

PLAN A GREEN MEETING CONTACT US

Sustainability FAQs

How is Tottington Manor reducing its environmental impact?

Our work includes electrifying kitchen equipment, efficient refrigeration and lighting, smart heating controls, reducing single-use plastics, bottling filtered water on site, separating recycling and food waste, monitoring waste and progressing future renewable-energy opportunities.

Does TERRA Restaurant use local Sussex produce?

Yes. TERRA prioritises Sussex meat, fish, dairy, produce, wines and spirits and works with local farms, vineyards, makers and suppliers. Tottington Manor is also listed as a Sussex Six business through Sussex Food & Drink.

What sustainability recognition has TERRA received?

TERRA at Tottington Manor won the BRAVO Sustainability Champion award in 2025 and is featured by Restaurants Brighton among sustainable restaurants in Brighton and Sussex. Tottington Manor also participates in sustainability activity connected with Green South Downs and Green Tourism.

Can we plan a greener business meeting or event at Tottington Manor?

Yes. Our meetings, retreats, weddings and events can combine local food, low-waste hospitality, digital and hybrid meeting facilities, overnight accommodation and access to the South Downs for walking and outdoor time.