We take our responsibilities to guests, to food producers and to the environment very seriously, but are always on the lookout to see where we can do more.

Putting guests first... Our services aim to meet fully the guidelines set down by Visit Britain in its Code of Conduct for bed and breakfast businesses:

• Maintain high standards of guest care, cleanliness and service.
• Describe accurately through our website, leaflets, adverts and other printed or electronic media, the facilities and services provided.
• Make clear to visitors exactly what is included in prices quoted for accommodation.
• Make clear any charges for additional services or facilities.
• Give a clear statement of the policy on cancellations to guests at the time of confirmation of booking.
• Adhere to prices quoted at the time of booking for accommodation and other services.
• Give visitors on request details of all payments due and a receipt, if required.
• Deal promptly and courteously with all enquiries, requests, bookings and correspondence from visitors.
• Ensure that complaints received are investigated promptly and courteously and that the outcome is communicated to the visitor.
• Give consideration to the requirements of visitors with special needs and make suitable provision where possible.
• Provide public liability insurance and comply with all applicable planning, safety and other statutory requirements.

Making our food healthy… We are naturally committed to the good health of our customers:

• All cakes and pastries are made with vegetable fat.
• Low-fat spread is available as an alternative to butter.
• Our milk is semi-skimmed.
• We use an absolute minimum of salt in our cooking, if at all.
• We do our best to source as much organic food as is feasible.
• We offer tempting vegetarian cooked breakfasts and continental options as alternatives to a Full English.

Supporting local producers… Wherever we can, we provide locally sourced food, including:

• Fruit and vegetables from Farmaround in Richmond, which supplies organic produce from growers as close as possible.
• Fresh bread made from organic flour at Threaplands Farm Bakery near Cracoe.
• Sausages and other meats through Jackson’s Butchers in Cracoe.
• Bacon from Bolton Park Farm on the Duke of Devonshire’s estate in Wharfedale.
• Free-range eggs from Church Farm at Hubberholme in Wharfedale.
• Milk from local farms in Wharfedale or organic farms in West Yorkshire.
• Yorkshire cheeses from producers in or just outside the Dales, including the Wensleydale Creamery at Hawes.
• Preserves from Raydale Preserves at Stalling Busk near Semer Water, or home-made at West Winds.
• Welcome chocolates from Whitaker’s Chocolatiers of Skipton.

Paying Third World farmers a fair price… Wherever we can, we use Fairtrade products, including:

• Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and baking ingredients.

Looking after our shared environment for tomorrow… We are committed to doing all we can to respect, protect and enhance the environment both locally and elsewhere:

• Our electricity is provided by Good Energy, sourced 100 per cent from a basket of renewable sources, including solar, wind and hydro.
• Our loft spaces are well insulated.
• We reduce energy consumption as much as possible through careful use. We use low-energy lightbulbs and do not have a dishwasher, tumble-drier or external ‘patio’ heaters.
• We buy as much as possible from home, using existing delivery networks.
• We source recycled materials wherever feasible, including toilet paper!
• We aim to source food produced as locally as possible. We grow some ourselves.
• We do our best to use organic food wherever feasible.
• We recycle as much as possible of our rubbish, including paper, card, cans and glass.
• We compost all waste vegetable and plant matter for use in our cottage garden.
• We collect waste bathwater and rainwater for use in our cottage garden.
• We do not use damaging chemicals in the house or in the garden. Cleaning and washing products are supplied by Ecover.
• We promote public transport, walking and cycling. We can give bus times and advise on interesting walking routes.
• We keep our own car use to a minimum; we have pledged not to fly; we ourselves enjoy fantastic holidays within the UK, supporting Britain’s own tourist industry; and we donate to a number of environmental charities, including the Soil Association and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

Logo, pictures and text copyright West Winds Yorkshire Tearooms 2005-2008. All rights reserved.

All pictures by West Winds Yorkshire Tearooms unless otherwise stated. Wildlife and farming pictures not necessarily taken at Buckden.

Special thanks to Sarah Pearson, Charlotte Beaumont, Tiffany Briggs and the Briggs family, Robyn Holden, Maxine and Peter Bancroft, Graham Howe and all the photographers who have kindly contributed pictures.