London: An eco-friendly hotel in the New Forest, England, has come up with its novel energy-saving initiative, a bicycle-powered television.
Guests in the ‘Standing Hat’ room at Cottage Lodge in the village of Brockenhurst, can now keep fit, watch their favourite programmes, and do their bit for the environment using the innovative device. The room also features low-energy lighting, solar panels and a wood-burning stove to produce hot water, and a low-flow toilet and shower to reduce water use.
The hotels publicity also boasts that environmentally-friends paints and low-impact building materials were used throughout, while the room’s bed, bedside table, dressing table, wardrobe and mirror were crafted by a local tree surgeon from a single beech tree which fell in the village.
Christina Simons, the hotel’s owner, has spent nearly eight years turning it into a green retreat, but explained how the 360-year-old property has recycling in its heritage. “The building dates back to 1650, and was actually constructed from a reclaimed ship,” the Telegraph quoted her as saying.
“I focused on three things when constructing the room: reducing waste, minimising pollution and using resources with the lowest impact possible.
“I also wanted to show that being green can also be exciting and fun, and guests love cycling on the bike,” she added.
The hotel has won several prizes for its eco-friendly initiatives, including awards from Visit Britain and the AA.
ANI