The core belief behind sustainable travel is being a responsible tourist – showing consideration for the environment and the impact your presence has on it, as well as preserving and enhancing the local community that you are visiting. Being a sustainable traveller can significantly enrich your travelling experience and, by travelling with the mindset of being a sustainable tourist, you will be helping to preserve the place and develop it.
Cecilia Borjeson, travel expert at travel search platform, HolidayPirates, suggests five fantastic places to consider visiting in the UK, should your 2020 goal be to become more eco-friendly.
The Scarlet, Cornwall
The Scarlet is an adults-only seaside hotel and spa located in Cornwall offering stunning sea-views from every angle. It was voted one of the top 20 hotels in the UK by Condé Nast and is a recurring favourite of The Times' readers. If you want to enjoy a relaxing weekend filled with self-care treatments in the spa, followed by reflecting seaside walks and yoga classes, then this is the destination for you. This luxurious eco-hotel offers an Ayurvedic inspired spa, cliff-top hot tubs and a natural reed-bed swimming pool, along with fine dining. Also, there is no need for you to part with your beloved dog, request a dog-friendly room when you book! The Scarlet aims to create a memorable experience that does not impact the environment, by making sure that all their products are responsibly sourced.
Elmley Nature Reserve, Isle of Sheppey, Kent 
Elmley is a 3,200-acre family-run Victorian farm and nature reserve located on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, with stunning views across a marsh. Only a two-hour drive from London, it is an ideal location if you are looking for an extraordinary escape that is just outside of the capital. The reserve is internationally recognised for their conservation of both habitat and wildlife. It follows the core belief that the best way to safeguard the natural environment is to help people understand and appreciate the local wildlife and, as such, is the only nature reserve in the UK that you can stay overnight in. You can choose from a range of cosy, luxuriously furnished shepherd’s huts, all handcrafted using natural materials and fitted with eco-friendly insulation. You can also opt for the more modern Large Shepherd's Huts with fully glazed floor-to-ceiling ends, with one also featuring an outdoor vintage bathtub.
West Lexham Tree Houses, Norfolk
Available for groups of two to six people, these treehouses, found in Norfolk, let you take your staycation to the next level. The heat and electricity are 90% generated by renewable energy, and the drinking water is drawn from a nearby chalk spring. The cosy treehouses also boast log stoves and a renewably heated swimming pool available for guests from May to October! Leave the iPad, iPhone, computer, and all the other devices at home, and enjoy some quality time away as a couple, family, or with treasured friends.
Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, Newcastle
This four-star luxury hotel has all the amenities you would expect, from excellent dining to gorgeously decorated rooms and a relaxing spa. Labelled as one of the most environmentally friendly hotels in Britain, receiving a Gold Award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme in 2015, the hotel also has an electric car charging point, an on-site food waste processing plant, and a wood pellet boiler to power its spa facilities. The view of the Mountains of Mourne on one side, and seaside on the other, making for an awe-inspiring setting, too!
The Tree Dome, Shropshire
If you are craving a weekend out in nature, but not ready to go as far as camping out in the wilderness, then the tree dome could be something for you. Nestled under a canopy of trees on an elevated platform, the dome allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature while still having all the amenities you’d expect to find in a hotel, from a king-sized bed to an equipped kitchenette. Another perk is that you can bring your dog with you on this adventure, your four-legged friends are welcome here as well! And for an extra recharge, you can even enjoy the dome’s outdoor hot tub and wood-fired oven.