5 Eco-Friendly Workspace Ideas Inspired by Burrough Court in Leicestershire
Looking to make your office or workspace more sustainable? Whether you’re running a small business, working remotely, or leading a growing team, creating a greener environment doesn’t need to be difficult or disruptive. It just needs to be intentional.
Set within acres of Leicestershire countryside, Burrough Court is home to over 50 businesses and around 370 people who value the environment they work in and understand the influence it has on wellbeing, creativity and productivity.
From reimagined buildings to renewable energy, here are five quietly powerful ways to create a more sustainable workspace, inspired by the way we do things here at Burrough Court.
1. Reimagined, Not Rebuilt: Working with Heritage
At Burrough Court, our offices, café and meeting room have been thoughtfully restored from original stable blocks, preserving their heritage while adding modern comfort and function. Elsewhere on the 22-acre Business Park, former potato stores have been reworked into business units and warehouses, giving agricultural buildings a renewed purpose.
Why it matters:
Reusing buildings and materials reduces construction waste and carbon footprint, while retaining a sense of place and character.
What you can do:
Whether you’re refurbishing a space or choosing office furniture, consider what’s already available. Reuse, repurpose or restore before you replace. It’s a sustainable choice that often leads to more unique and meaningful spaces.
2. Step Outside: Outdoor Working & Walking Meetings
We make the most of our rural setting by encouraging outdoor meetings, catch-ups in the rear garden and paddock, and regular use of walking meeting routes around the estate. It’s a natural way to reduce screen fatigue, boost clarity and bring fresh air into the working day.
Why it matters:
Nature supports mental wellbeing, encourages creativity and lowers stress all essential to a sustainable work culture.
What you can do:
Add nature into your daily rhythm. Try holding one meeting a week outside, take walking phone calls, or create a calming outdoor breakout space, no matter the size.
3. Sustainable Heating & Solar Power
Sustainability at Burrough Court isn’t about grand gestures it’s in the systems we use daily. Our rural business park in certain areas uses a biomass boiler for heating, as well as an air source heat pump and solar panels to generate renewable electricity.
Why it matters:
Combining biomass, solar and heat pump technology drastically reduces fossil fuel dependence and supports long-term energy efficiency.
What you can do:
Look at your workspace’s energy use.Could you improve insulation, switch to a green supplier, or use solar to offset peak electricity hours? Even small upgrades contribute to a more responsible energy profile.
4. A Home for B-Corp Certified Businesses
Several of the businesses based at Burrough Court have gone on to become B-Corp certified. a globally respected accreditation that recognises companies meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance.
What is B-Corp?
Certified B Corporations commit to balancing profit with purpose. Sustainability, transparency, ethical supply chains, and employee wellbeing are all evaluated as part of the certification process.
What you can do:
Even if B-Corp isn’t your end goal, the B Impact Assessment is a free tool that helps you understand your current impact and how to improve it.
5. Let Nature Guide the Workday
From the moment you arrive at Burrough Court, you’re surrounded by quiet, greenery, and the sounds of the countryside. Nature isn’t an afterthought—it’s an integral part of the working environment. Whether it’s a coffee in the garden or a lunchtime walk, reconnecting with the outdoors helps balance busy schedules.
Why it matters:
Nature-led working has proven benefits for focus, stress reduction, and mental clarity—making it a valuable part of any sustainable business strategy.
What you can do:
Start small: open a window, add more greenery, or plan time away from your screen outdoors. These moments don’t just make the day feel better they make work better, too.
Final Thought: Sustainability That Feels Effortless
At Burrough Court, we believe sustainability should feel natural—not forced. It lives in our reimagined spaces, our energy systems, and our community of like-minded businesses. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or deepening existing commitments, a greener workspace doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to be considered.
So, how green is your workspace?
Learn More
Interested in joining our rural business community or exploring our office space?
👉 Visit burroughcourt.com