More Than a Holiday Cottage: Our Sustainability Journey at Our Place in Portland

Why sustainability matters to us

When we launched Our Place in Portland, our goal wasn’t simply to create a cosy holiday cottage with stunning sea views. We wanted to create a space where guests could relax, recharge, and feel at home while enjoying everything this special part of Dorset has to offer.

But from the beginning, we also knew we wanted to build a business we could genuinely feel proud of.

For us, sustainability isn’t just about reducing waste or saving energy, important as those things are. It’s also about supporting our local community, championing small independent businesses, and helping protect the beautiful coastline and environment that make Portland so unique.

As a small, independent holiday cottage on the Jurassic Coast, we know no stay is completely impact-free. But we believe that thoughtful choices, however small, can add up and make a meaningful difference.

That mindset recently helped us achieve the Green Tourism Bronze Award, alongside recognition through other sustainability and business awards. While we’re incredibly proud of these achievements, this journey has never been about collecting certificates or ticking boxes.

It’s about continually learning, improving, and doing better where we can.

Progress, not perfection

One thing we’ve learned on this journey is that sustainability rarely happens overnight.

As a small independent business, we don’t have endless budgets or instant solutions, and we certainly don’t claim to have everything figured out.

Some changes have been relatively simple to make, while others take more time, research, and investment.

There have been plenty of moments involving questions, comparisons, and sometimes a bit of trial and error as we’ve worked out what makes the most sense for both our guests and our business.

Rather than aiming for perfection, we’ve chosen to focus on progress.

That means making thoughtful decisions, asking better questions, and looking for practical ways to improve over time.

Going through the Green Tourism assessment also allowed us to step back and recognise how much we were already doing, while highlighting areas where we can continue to improve and grow.

Because for us, sustainability isn’t about getting everything right all at once; it’s about continually moving in the right direction.

Reducing waste where we can

One of the most practical ways we’ve been able to improve our sustainability has been by looking closely at waste and asking ourselves a simple question: Can we do this better?

Over time, that has led to lots of small but meaningful changes within the cottage.

Instead of disposable mini toiletries, we provide refillable glass bottles with quality products, helping to reduce single-use plastic while still offering guests a thoughtful experience.

We’ve also made recycling as easy as possible with clearly labelled facilities in the cottage, so guests can separate waste during their stay without confusion.

Small choices matter too, from reusable shopping bags to carefully considering packaging and avoiding unnecessary single-use items where we can.

We’ve also introduced our Borrow Bucket, filled with pre-loved beach toys that might otherwise have gone to waste, giving them a second life while helping families enjoy the local beaches.

None of these changes is dramatic on its own, but together they help reduce waste and encourage more mindful choices.

Supporting local businesses

For us, sustainability goes beyond environmental choices.

It’s also about supporting the people and businesses around us.

As a small independent business ourselves, we understand how important it is to support local makers, producers, and fellow small businesses wherever possible.

That’s why we love sourcing many of the products we provide for guests from Dorset and Portland-based suppliers.

Whether it’s locally roasted coffee from Fountain Rock Coffee Roasters, refillable toiletries from Wild England, welcome treats from local bakers, or recommending experiences such as local wellness collaborations and independent cafés, these choices help us create a more meaningful connection between our guests and the area around them.

Choosing local not only helps support the local economy but can also reduce transport miles and shine a spotlight on some of the fantastic independent businesses that make this area so special.

It also allows us to offer guests something a little more personal, helping them discover products, experiences, and places they may not have found otherwise.

Helping guests explore responsibly

One of the things we love most about Portland is that so much of its beauty can be enjoyed by simply slowing down.

From dramatic coastal walks and wildlife spotting to independent cafés and hidden local gems, some of the best experiences here don’t require much more than a good pair of walking shoes and a sense of adventure.

We encourage guests to explore at a gentler pace, making the most of everything on our doorstep.

Our cottage is located close to the South West Coast Path, with nearby bus links to Weymouth and beyond, making it possible to enjoy many local experiences without relying entirely on the car.

Through our guest guidebook, we also share recommendations for local businesses, independent cafés, wellness experiences, and places to visit, helping guests discover more of what makes Portland and the surrounding area so special.

For us, sustainable tourism is also about connection, helping visitors experience a place more thoughtfully, support local communities, and leave with a deeper appreciation of the area they’ve spent time in.

What comes next

Achieving the Green Tourism Bronze Award is something we’re incredibly proud of, but we don’t see it as the finish line.

Instead, we see it as an important milestone in a much bigger journey.

The assessment process helped us recognise the progress we’ve already made, while also giving us valuable ideas and inspiration for where we can improve next.

There is still plenty more we want to do, from refining existing practices to exploring new ways of reducing our impact and supporting our local community.

Sustainability isn’t about being perfect, and it certainly isn’t about doing everything at once.

For us, it’s about staying curious, making thoughtful choices, and continuing to improve step by step.

If you choose to stay with us, thank you.

By supporting small independent businesses that care deeply about people, place, and planet, you become part of that journey too, and that means a great deal to us.

We know we won’t get everything right, but if we can keep learning, asking questions and improving along the way, that feels like progress worth making.

Joanne & Dan
Our Place in Portland