Spanning 500 acres of rolling Cotswold countryside, Farncombe Estate is celebrating its first B Corp month this March following its successful certification in late 2025. This achievement places the estate and its celebrated collection of properties including Dormy House, Foxhill Manor, The Fish and the Hillside Hangouts among an elite group of the most prestigious luxury hotels in the UK. It serves as a testament to their long-held commitment to sustainability.
To achieve B Corp status, businesses must meet a rigorous set of requirements and demonstrate an exceptionally high standard of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. While balancing sustainability with luxury is often seen as a challenge, Farncombe Estate has proven that a dedicated focus on the planet, the team and the local community can significantly elevate the guest experience.
Whether it is a walk through rewilded gardens or a meal featuring ingredients grown just a few hundred yards from the table, the estate offers a retreat that feels both indulgent and responsible. By prioritising transparency and purpose, Farncombe ensures that a stay is as beneficial for the local area as it is restorative for guests.
A commitment to the countryside
As custodians of 500 acres of Cotswold land, Farncombe Estate has introduced several practical measures to protect the local environment. For the past three years, the estate has sent zero waste to landfill, with 75% of all waste being recycled and the remainder used to generate electricity at a nearby incineration plant. Even food waste is put to good use, by going to the local anaerobic digester at Northwick Park to create green electricity. This hands-on approach extends to smaller details too, such as a policy to plant a new tree for every one used through their printing.
Farncombe Estate is managed with a long-term commitment to biodiversity, landscape character and environmental stewardship. We participate in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and are delivering projects that support pollinators, wildlife and healthier soils.
These include wildflower establishment and sensitive hedgerow management to strengthen wildlife corridors. Woodland management is a key focus. The estate’s woodlands, parkland trees and orchards are being brought into more active, planned management through a long-term Woodland Management Plan, supporting woodland health, species diversity and public safety. Selective planting and habitat creation are being used to improve ecological connectivity across the landscape. Together, these measures are creating a more resilient, nature rich estate while preserving Farncombe’s character as a working and lived in landscape.
Supporting local producers
To reduce the estate’s carbon footprint and ensure guests enjoy the freshest ingredients, Farncombe prioritises local suppliers and home-grown produce. A significant 75% of the menus across the estate feature seasonal ingredients sourced from the UK, with many grown in the estate’s own gardens. This commitment is evident whether guests are dining on British classics at The Back Garden at Dormy House or enjoying the seafood-inspired menu at Hook by Martin Burge at The Fish. Notably, Hook is the only restaurant outside of Cornwall to be a member of the Cornish Seafood Guide, reflecting a dedication to sustainable fishing.
Every supplier is carefully vetted to ensure they share the same eco-conscious values as the estate, with a preference for fellow B Corp businesses where possible. This collaborative approach helps to build a more resilient and ethical supply chain that supports the wider community.
Looking after the team
The dedicated team is at the heart of Farncombe Estate and there is a genuine commitment to ensuring every member of staff feels valued. A key part of this is the estate’s pledge to pay 100% of employees the Living Wage rather than the standard minimum wage. This also applies to the apprentices hired and supported by the estate, ensuring that those starting their careers are fairly compensated from day one.
Beyond financial support, Farncombe invests heavily in professional development and skills training. Employees are actively encouraged to gain experience across different departments and even other hotels to broaden their expertise. The estate also sponsors a range of recognised external qualifications, including Accountancy, Payroll and Mental Health First Aid, as well as prestigious industry programmes like the Master Innholders Aspiring Leaders Diploma.
Being a good neighbour
Farncombe Estate is a major local employer with a deep-rooted connection to its surroundings. Currently, 75% of the team lives within 20 miles of the estate, and 17% of staff also live on-site. This availability of housing has allowed the estate to offer roles to vulnerable job applicants who may lack secure accommodation, creating a more accessible and equitable recruitment process.
This commitment to people extends to the next generation of talent through close partnerships with Gloucestershire College, Swindon College and Cardiff College. The estate’s Culinary Director, Martin Burge, spends four days a year at each institution to lead masterclasses, giving students the chance to learn directly from a professional chef. These partnerships often lead to work experience weeks on the estate, providing young people with a practical bridge into the world of luxury hospitality.
The estate also maintains a strong commitment to supporting the wider industry and the local community. Since 2020, Farncombe has raised and donated over £60,000 to Hospitality Action, a charity providing vital assistance to those working in the sector. Additionally, the estate works with Room to Reward to donate stays to community heroes, offering those who go above and beyond a well-earned break in the Cotswold countryside.
For all press enquiries, please contact Lara Marwan Good on lara@mgrelations.com or +44 796 434 770.