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The Old House at Home: A Village Pub Leading on Sustainability

Introduction

The Old House at Home in Dormansland has been crowned UK Community Sustainability Hero at the PubAid Community Pub Hero Awards 2026. Michael and Julia Foxwell have made sustainability part of everyday life in their Surrey village.

What they did

Through Surrey County Council’s Active Travel Programme, the pub introduced a staff e-bike and installed secure cycle parking, an e-bike charging point and a free public bike repair station. Free ‘Dr Bike’ sessions helped residents get old bikes back on the road.

The pub grows herbs, fruit and vegetables for the kitchen. It uses coffee grounds as fertiliser and spent beer as a slug deterrent, and gives pet fur to birds as nesting material. Outdoor furniture is built from reclaimed scaffold boards and poles. Seasonal menus and local sourcing help cut waste, and the pub supports village litter picks.

The community reaction

Customers say they now cycle more, recycle differently, grow their own herbs and compost coffee grounds after seeing what the pub does.

Impact

The pub’s approach has also been recognised with the BII NITA Sustainability Training Award and Shepherd Neame Sustainable Pub of the Year.

Summary

The Old House at Home proves that meaningful environmental change comes from commitment, creativity and a community willing to join in.

About

The Old House at Home

The Old House at Home is a village pub on West Street in Dormansland, Surrey, run by Michael and Julia Foxwell.
63-65 West Street, Dormansland, Surrey, RH7 6QP
Go to pub website

Local Constituency

East Surrey

Local MP

Claire Coutinho
Go to local MP website
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