ECO-FRIENDLYWEDDINGS Set a sustainable scene for your special day by choosing regional suppliers and supporting the local area What ’s new? Elmore Court, the award-winning wedding venue in Gloucestershire, has announced details of its ambitious rewilding plans which include the opening of six sustainably built treehouses this spring, nestled in the estate’s woodland, a stone’s throw from the River Severn. They will mark the 10th anniversary of the opening of Elmore Court to the public as a wedding venue. It’s a significant move which will allow visitors beyond those attending private functions to stay on the estate for the first time and enjoy the flourishing flora and fauna and experience the wildlife first-hand as the landscape evolves. The Elmore estate inhabits a bend in the River Severn, close to the cathedral city of Gloucester, which has been the Guise family seat for almost 750 years with Anselm Guise inheriting it in 2007 from his uncle. From the very start, Anselm had a clear focus to work towards the estate being able to function as sustainably as possible. Firstly, by renovating the house and building The Gillyflower, a fully sound-proofed entertainment space made from timber from the estate, and also installing a biomass boiler fuelled by the woodlands on the estate fending off any need to rely on other heat sources. Shortly after this, attention was focused on curating and expanding the gardens. A large Victorian-style conservatory was built to grow food which is also grown on the land within the walled gardens. In 2020, Anselm made a further commitment setting aside 250 of the 1000-acre estate to rewilding, ceasing to cultivate that land and allow nature to flourish. He tells us, “We are reimagining the estate, taking it back to a closer relationship to the best bit of the ways things were, where the land and the people on it served each other to the benefit of all. By combining rewilding and regenerative farming, we will increase biodiversity, improve the soil, produce food and allow the land to breathe colour and positivity back into our environment.” The overall commitment of the rewilding project is to focus on every element of the estate’s operation as sustainably as possible; weddings, treehouses and land. Anselm is one of an ever-growing circle of landowners in the UK who is well-versed in rewilding and regenerative farming, first introducing this way of land management in 2020. Since then actions taken to support this include: Rare breeds - Reintroduction of rare breeds which has already seen the arrival of 29 longhorn cattle last summer and in the future will include Tamworth Pigs, red deer and Exmoor ponies for grazing. Wild swim - Working with the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust at nearby Slimbridge, Elmore has been monitoring the health of the 2,700m2 (more than half an acre) spring-fed lake which is now used for wild swimming. Madam’s Pool is one of many which would have originally been scattered across the land by the River Severn and used to water ancient orchards. A wild swim and sauna or yoga and fitness retreat can now be booked at set times at www.rewildswimclub.com Walled Gardens - The restoration of the estate’s original walled gardens which have already begun to produce a diverse array of seasonal produce now supplying events on the estate. Flourishing Floodplains - Approximately 23 acres of land in front of the treehouses are transforming a new wetland area, part of a nationwide project called Flourishing Floodplains which aims to encourage wildlife and native wildflowers to return to the area, restoring the Severn and Avon Vale floodplains to their former glory. Wildfarmed - Some land has been set aside for regenerative agriculture which sees Elmore become part of the Wildfarmed project run by George Lamb and Andy Cato (ex-Groove Armanda). This will see the production of Elmore’s own flour for bread from wheat grown adopting the regenerative farming methods. Elmore is currently using Wildfarmed flour for their in-house bakery and pastry kitchen. The new treehouses will operate as a sophisticated self-serviced holiday let, running separately from the wedding business, whilst complementing it and extending availability to wedding guests. “As part of the rewilding project it was always a passion of mine to be able to sleep and relax within nature on the estate,” says Anselm. “This was the main driver to build the treehouses as sustainably as possible and allow more people to come and stay and see what we are doing here.” The location is Park Covert Woods located on the estate away from the exclusive wedding grounds, through the treeline with views out to the newly developed wetlands. The treehouses will have a separate entrance and driveway from the weddings. Each treehouse is private, accessed by a boardwalk with a wrap-around deck to enjoy the dramatic and varied landscapes. Features will include electric car charging points for each cabin, British cedar cladding with corrugated roofs, cork flooring and poplar ply walls. Their design maximises air tightness as well as solar gain and is all highly insulated to exploit energy from occupants. Each one has an outside state-of-the-art kitchen, a modern brazier with wood store, seated decking and an outdoor bath with views. Inside there are super king-size spindle beds built by Jamie Fraser, Anselm’s cousin, and a fully kitted indoor bathroom with a shower. One of the treehouses is stair-free and pram and wheelchair friendly. The interior design has been led by Tracey Boyd, using materials such as wood, metal and glass, a natural colour palate with Scandinavian sleek lines interrupted by a sprinkle of bright playful psychedelic details. Prices will start from around £350 per night, with a two-night minimum stay. Accommodation is flexible and suitable for couples, friends and families, sleeping two, three and four people. All but one treehouse has a bespoke super king-size bed with a single trundle bed that slides out (ideal for a groom and best man before the big day or indeed a small family). The treehouses that sleep four guests have a day bed fitted into a snug next to the bedroom. The outdoor kitchen will allow for self catering, with the team at Elmore offering a range of food and drink items which can be pre-ordered such as breakfast hampers, gourmet ready meals and beverages. For further details, visit www.elmorecourt.com/journal/treehouse-update www.facebook.com/elmorecourt; www.instagram.com/elmorecourt SUSTAINABILITY 49
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