The scheme has been running since 1997 and with more than1,400 members across the UK, claims to be the largest and most established scheme of its type in the world.

A qualified assessor from the scheme praised Kilworth House for reducing its waste to landfill, using a cardboard baler and glass crusher to reduce the volume of its recycled materials and praised the hotel’s ground staff for its sustainable approach to forest management and as a haven for wildlife.

Stuart Maun, sales manager at Kilworth House, said: "We are so pleased to have been recognised with a silver award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme. It shows how committed the hotel is already to the environment and green issues.

“We are constantly striving to improve our environmental policies at the hotel, and our green team meets regularly to discuss issues and suggest improvements. We are now trialling a decomposter that reduces food waste by nearly 80 per cent.”

Kilworth House Hotel is a 44-bedroom hotel set amid 38 acres of landscaped parkland.