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Donington Estate sequesters more carbon than it produces, making it a climate-positive enterprise. (Verified by third-party carbon auditors). Sustainability and environmental responsibility is a priority of the Estate, Shields family and our team.
Our sustainability facts
– Solar-powered venue: When the sun shines we produce more electricity than we can use, exporting excess to the grid. All our electricity is certified as from renewable sources.
– Carbon-neutral heating: Our biomass boiler heats all our buildings, using timber grown on the Estate. We plant more trees than we harvest.
– Protecting Biodiversity: Our Deer Park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its natural permaculture, ancient Oak Trees, insect life and biodiversity.
The Estate, including our converted farm, has a rich history. Created as a Royal Park in 1102, Donington Park was a royal hunting ground, with Deer remaining on the Estate to this day. Queen Elizabeth I sold Donington Estate to Sir George Hastings in 1595, and it remained in the Hastings family for over 250 years.
The Estate and Donington Hall played significant roles in both World War I and World War II, with the Deer herd almost being eradicated in the process.
Today, in its 5th generation of ownership by the Shields family, the 650-acre Estate is a holistically run enterprise, committed to preserving its fascinating history and its biodiversity.
Our friendly and dedicated team are at the centre of what is special about Donington Park Farmhouse.
Our brilliant team share a passion for hospitality and customer service. We believe in positive energy, enthusiasm, working hard and making sure our customers leave with big smiles on their faces.
John Shields, the owner of the Donington Estate, was a Founding member of Treetops Hospice, a leading Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire end-of-life care charity, in the early 1980s. John led fundraising efforts in ‘Treetops’ early years and played a key role in the charity’s expansion. He continues to act as a Patron to this day.
Today, Donington Park Farmhouse continues to support Treetops, including hosting their Staff and Volunteers conference every three years. This event, hosted free o charge, aims to thank, reward and inspire the Treetops family. It includes workshops, massages and reflection on value and is a brilliant chance for the hundreds of care staff and volunteers to regroup away from the Hospice setting. Donington Park Farmhouse is pleased to support Treetops in this way and to thank the staff and volunteers for their incredible work