15 green places to stay

1. Aislabeck, Yorkshire Dales

The Dales may be the heartland of traditional Yorkshire, but these eight new cottages overlooking Swaledale are a glimpse of how sustainable holidays might look in the future. A mile from the market town of Richmond, the single-storey houses are tucked beneath a wooded hillside. The cottages have sloping roofs planted with grasses and their south-facing floor-to-ceiling double-glazed windows allow light to flood in. All water comes from a natural spring, you are given an organic hamper including wine on arrival and there is a wood burner to cosy up to after your day out.

· A cottage for six costs from £315 for three nights (+44 (0)161 242 2970; naturalretreats.co.uk).

2. Mesmear, Cornwall

The stone-and-slate facade of this stylish 18th-century mill conversion near Polzeath on the north Cornish coast is typical of the region's farm buildings, yet the interior is another world. The rooms have been designed to create a sense of "loft-style living" while the decor is eclectic eco-chic: rattan chairs, bean bags and wooden tables. Underfloor heating is provided by geothermal energy, which saves the property 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year, and a wood-burning stove will top up the heat. An underground spring provides drinking water and fills the solar-heated outdoor swimming pool.

· The Mill (sleeps 10) costs from £3,200 a week full board, including housekeeper/cook; the barn (sleeps four) costs from £1,005 self-catering (+44 (0)1208 869731; mesmear.co.uk).

3. Blue Reef Cottages, Isle of Harris

Overlooking a vast sandy beach, these two remote cottages (each sleeping two) are rated five-star by the Scottish Tourist Board. Open the door to find a hamper of local produce (black pudding, jam and shortcake) plus a bottle of champagne on ice. The cottage's turf roofs curve into the landscape and provide added insulation to keep in the heat from the cosy wood-burning stove. Everything is recycled and the owners have planted 3,500 native trees on the croft. It's a 10-minute walk to a great restaurant and there are boat trips out to the islands around Harris.

· Costs from around £780 a week for two. (+44 (0)1895 550370; stay-hebrides.com). Take the train to Mallaig (+44 (0)8457 550033; firstscotrail.com), catch the ferry to Skye, bus to Uig, then ferry to Harris (calmac.co.uk).

4. Bloomfield House, Bath