A DALES tourism business has won a top honour.

Glamping site Peaks and Pods has been awarded Green Tourism’s Gold Award for its commitment to sustainability and the environment, less than a year after opening for business.

The site, at Boustagill Farm, near Settle, on the borders of the Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland, is in its first full season of welcoming guests.

The company uses renewable energy generated by a wind turbine and solar panels. The site is also energy-efficient, using modern appliances and LED lamps.

Peaks and Pods co-owner Joanne Brennand said: “We are delighted with our Gold Award from Green Tourism. We’re so lucky to live close to both the Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland and we are fully committed to making sure that our new tourism business is as sustainable as possible.”

Gold is the top award for 'inspirational and outstanding' commitment to 'people, places and our planet'.

Green Tourism’s lead assessor Stuart Park said: “The owners are clearly very green-aware and have tried to reduce the big impacts from the site and give a very green and high-quality glamping experience to the guests.

“A 50kW wind turbine and 31kW photovoltaic panels provide renewable electricity to the site, while well-insulated pods, modern appliances and LED lamps keep running costs low. This is supported with eco cleaning products.

"Guest information is excellent, particularly on the well-designed website that has details of public transport, local places to shop and eat, and green activities."

Peaks and Pods is a farm diversification business, developed by Joanne and her husband, John.

The couple live and work on the family dairy farm with their three children, with John’s parents still active in the farm business.

“We saw a gap in the market for a really high-quality glamping site," said Joanne.

"We have five luxury pods, each sleeping up to four people, all with kitchens and private bathrooms. Two of the pods have their own private wood-fired hot tubs. We also have a wood-fired pizza oven that guests can use.

“We opened the pod site in August last year, but even before we opened we were very keen to make sure that we considered the impact on the local environment.

"We’re so pleased that this has been recognised by Green Tourism.”

A Green Tourism Award means that a business works responsibly, ethically and sustainably, contributes to their community, is reducing their impact on the environment and aims to be accessible and inclusive to all visitors and staff. Businesses that meet the required standard receive a Bronze, Silver or Gold award based on their level of achievement.

To achieve accreditation, Peaks and Pods was graded on-site by a qualified assessor against a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas such as energy and water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity and social involvement and communication. Peaks and Pods has been particularly keen to be energy efficient, to limit the use of harsh chemicals and to make a positive impact on the local economy.