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Sustainable Hospitality at Tottington Manor

Sustainable tourism in Sussex

Sustainable Tourism in the South Downs, Sussex

Thoughtful hospitality in a landscape worth protecting.

Tottington Manor sits at the foot of the South Downs National Park, surrounded by the countryside, farms, vineyards and walking routes that make Sussex such a special place to visit. Sustainability is therefore not a separate project for us; it is part of how we run the hotel, TERRA Restaurant, our private dining rooms, meetings, weddings and events every day.

Since taking over in 2021, we have focused on practical changes that reduce our impact, support local producers and trades, improve comfort for guests and create a stronger long-term business for our team and community.

Reducing energy consumption: investing in electrification, efficient kitchen equipment, refrigeration, LED lighting, smart heating controls, insulation and heat recovery, with the site now gas-free and prepared for future renewable energy.
Supporting the local economy: choosing independent Sussex and South Downs suppliers, growers, makers and trades wherever possible so that visitor spend benefits the area around us.

Local, seasonal food: building TERRA Restaurant around Sussex ingredients, local wines and producers who care for the surrounding landscape.
Reducing waste: removing single-use plastics, bottling filtered water on site, separating recycling and food waste, designing menus thoughtfully and monitoring waste to guide improvement.

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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.

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 Tourism and 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.

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.

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