This Wales spot is in the TOP greenest spots in the UK

·       Responsible travel: As searches for ‘sustainable tourism’ grow, research from Kia reveals the top 5 spots for a sustainable trip in 2023

·       Powys, Denbighshire and Gwynedd & Anglesey amongst greenest areas in Britain

 Three areas in Wales have been revealed in a list of the most sustainable places to visit in Britain, due to the amount of eco-friendly accommodation, restaurants and activities per person.

Powys, Denbighshire and Gwynedd & Anglesey came out in the top 10 due to their sustainable credentials, such as electric charging points, eco-friendly hotels, solar panels and use of clean energy.

Responsible tourism in the UK is at an all-time high, with searches for ‘sustainable tourism’ rising 42% so far in 2023. With the summer holidays now in full swing, and even more possibilities for road trips in electric family cars, Kia analysed Britain’s greenest areas and created an interactive sustainable staycation planner for people to plan their next eco-friendly adventure.

The 5 greenest destinations in Britain are:

1.     Argyll and Bute, Scotland 

Argyll and Bute topped the list, with an impressive 40 sustainable venues for every 100k people – more than any other area. Eco activities include visiting Cruachan Power Station, a hydroelectric power station that has won a Gold Green Tourism Award and operates a biodiversity action plan, while hotels, such as Manesfield House, boast solar panels, electric chargers and clean energy.

2.     Orkney, Scotland

Mainland, the largest island in the Orkney archipelago of Scotland (Shutterstock)

Orkey ranked second, with 27 sustainable venues per 100k people. Here, you can discover the area’s culture and wildlife with Orcadian Wildlife, who provide free-to-use electric chargers, or take a tour of the islands, explore tombs, and wild swim with JP Orkney.

3.     Western Isles, Scotland 

Three hotels in the Western Isles hold Green Tourism Awards, giving plenty of choices for eco places to stay. For things to do, take a wildlife cruise with Hebridean Adventures, where you can spot whales, dolphins, eagles and puffins. The organisation is also working to reduce underwater noise generated by its ships.

4.     Powys, Wales

Those visiting Powys can learn about combatting climate breakdown and creating a zero-carbon world at the Centre for Alternative Technology. You can enjoy the stunning views at Elan Valley before exploring the area’s hydro-powered reservoirs.

5.     Cornwall, England

Cornwall in England (Shutterstock)

Cornwall came out top in England, with an abundance of sustainable places to stay, eat and visit. A highlight is exploring inspiring outdoor spaces at Trebah Garden, which has won a Gold Green Tourism Award, or the Eden Project.

Denbighshire and Gwynedd & Anglesey were also revealed to be amongst the greenest areas in Britain, both falling within the top 10 overall, due to their local and organic foods.

Kia’s new interactive sustainable staycation planner details the best eco-friendly spots for a green staycation. This includes electric charging points, for those with electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, and other sustainable benefits such as solar panels and clean energy.

Those planning an eco-friendly road trip can discover some of the top hotels, restaurants and activities in their chosen area by inputting their postcode into the Sustainable Staycation Planner.

The analysis of Britain’s most sustainable regions for tourism has been carried out by Kia to coincide with the launch of the EV9 electric family car. After its official release, the EV9 will be the latest long-distance EV from Kia, alongside the Niro EV, EV6 and Soul EV. The EV9 will also be capable of up to more than 300 miles from a single charge.