Corporate Social Responsibility
At Coworth Park, we considered corporate responsibility issues from the start; in the hotels’ design, and in the way the hotel has been managed since its opening in September 2010.
A special Corporate Responsibility group includes members from majority of the hotel departments and works alongside colleagues in Dorchester Collection – sharing ideas and learning from good practices.
Coworth Park provides a good illustration of how we are building responsible behaviour into our operations from the outset. This commitment is evident in Coworth Park’s design, which makes it one of the most environmentally-advanced hotels of its kind.
For example, to reduce energy consumption there is a biomass boiler within an underground energy centre, which is fuelled by burning willow grown on the estate – a first for a UK hotel. The willow, with a three-year growth cycle, ensures that the hotel is able to produce its own carbon-neutral fuel supply while cooling for the hotel is provided by underground pipes known as ‘slinkys’ within the hotel grounds. These are significantly more efficient than conventional air-cooled or water-cooled chilled water systems.
Solar glazing is used in the main hotel and converted stable block and all rain and surface water is recycled by draining into the lake for re-use for irrigation. The sunken garden, dating back to the eighteenth century, was restored to its former glory. The Spa at Coworth Park was constructed from predominantly out of timber structures with carbon-negative lime hemp spine and external walls; it is a green and sustainable building that emerges from the existing hillside to provide an eco-luxury spa with low energy requirements.
Guests are invited to enjoy the ultimate luxury that Coworth Park has to offer, whilst at the same time be confident that they are helping to look after the planet in many ways.