Forest of Hearts Achieves Green Tourism Gold Certification
We’re thrilled to announce that we have been awarded the Green Tourism Gold certification - the highest recognition for sustainability excellence in the tourism and hospitality sector. This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to creating nature-positive spaces that nurture biodiversity, wellbeing, and community connection.
What Is Green Tourism?
Green Tourism is the UK’s leading sustainable tourism certification programme, designed by experts to help organisations reduce their environmental impact while enhancing their social and economic contributions. Businesses are assessed across 15 sustainability goals, including:
Energy and water efficiency
Waste reduction and circular economy practices
Biodiversity enhancement
Community engagement and ethical sourcing
The certification is awarded at Bronze, Silver, or Gold levels, with Gold reserved for those demonstrating over 80% achievement across all criteria, along with a strong ethos of continuous improvement.
What Gold Certification Means for Forest of Hearts
Achieving Gold is more than a badge; it’s a testament to our deep-rooted values and practical actions. It means:
We’ve embedded sustainability into every aspect of our operations from composting and rainwater harvesting to biodiversity audits and climate risk assessments.
We’ve demonstrated leadership in environmental stewardship, social inclusion, and community wellbeing.
We’re part of a growing network of over 2,800 organisations across 30 countries committed to building a greener future.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
At Forest of Hearts, sustainability isn’t a side project, it’s our foundation. Here’s how we live it every day:
Nature-Positive Spaces: Our gardens and reserves are designed to support pollinators, native species, and ecological resilience.
Community Empowerment: We engage volunteers, veterans, and long-term unemployed individuals in meaningful green projects that improve wellbeing and skills.
Circular Thinking: From repurposed materials to zero-waste compost bays, we prioritise reuse and regeneration.
Climate Action: We’ve developed detailed climate risk assessments and mitigation strategies to future-proof our spaces and inspire others to do the same.
Looking Ahead
This Gold certification energises us to keep innovating, collaborating, and inspiring.
Whether you’re a visitor, volunteer, or partner, you’re part of this journey, and together, we’re proving that sustainability can be beautiful, inclusive, and impactful.
Thank you to everybody who has been a part of our green journey and for supporting us. Let’s keep growing a greener tomorrow.
Feedback from Green Tourism
“Forest of Hearts have done an excellent job in achieving the Green Tourism Gold award following on from their first GreenCheck Assessment. They have displayed an excellent understanding of sustainability and awareness of opportunities and challenges associated with running a responsible business. There is a good sustainability section on their website which explains their efforts to be a more sustainable business. The areas they have done well and scoring over 90% are Health & Wellbeing, Community, Experiences, Travel, Biodiversity and Energy. Excellent first submission following on from their Fast Track to Green Tourism”.