The activities of Urpolan Kartano in Humppila have been responsible since the beginning. The main building of the manor was renovated into a manor restaurant in 1984, after which the operations of the farm has been developed and such areas as the Viking Saunas have been built in the area. Ecology and sustainability have been taken into account in all activities as well as co-operation with local actors. The historical environment of manor has also been preserved. In April 2021, Visit Finland awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland label to Urpolan Kartano manor.

TRADITIONAL FOOD MADE WITH LOCAL INCREDIENTS

Even large parties can be arranged in the Urpolan Kartano manor’s facilities, as it has the capacity of 200 people. The meals for the events are mainly made in the kitchen with the ingredients of their own or with those produced locally. The manor’s garden produces berries and organic cereals come from the fields of the farm. Up to 120 years old trees and old horticultural plants are growing around Urpolan Kartano manor, such as the 50-year-old clematis. The surrounding nature is preserved, and the diversity of trees has been taken into account in the management of the farm’s forests.

WORLD OF SAUNA IN THE SPIRIT OF VIKINGS

Mikko and Leena Kylämarkula, the host and hostess of Urpola Manor and Viking Sauna, invest in responsibility.

The Urpolan Kartano Viking Sauna is an experience! There are a total of six saunas built from organic materials, such as clay and logs, and from recycled wood, in the sauna world; a genuine old smoke sauna, a sauna built on a real boat, a small wooden sauna in a tree, and a pellet sauna, a landscape sauna, and a small sauna called “Selkäsauna” (word play, literally: spanking). During bathing, you can dip in a pond, sit in a hot bath in the Viking ship Helka, or enjoy the steam bath Obelix. Both the saunas and all other buildings in the manor area will be repaired in a way that respects the cultural heritage, and with organic and recycled materials.

ECO-FRIENDLINESS CAN BE SEEN IN MANY WAYS

The Urpolan Kartano manor and Viking Sauna have taken ecology into account in many areas. All activities aim at use materials and products that are ecological and easy to dispose of or recycle. The manor’s waste management has invested in recycling; sorting bins are already in use, and a new waste shed will be built in the future. We aim to limit electricity and water consumption. The manor and accommodation rooms are heated at a basic level when there are no customers. Customers are also guided in recycling and saving electricity and water.

LOCALS TO PARTICIPATE IN EVENTS

Once the coronavirus restrictions are relaxed, events can be held once again at Urpolan Kartano manor. The events offer the opportunity to buy the farm’s own products, but the artisans in the area can also sell their products. The events increase the vitality of the region and co-operation between the actors in the region. Urpolan Kartano co-operates with other local actors, for example, when organising programme services for customers.

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL LABEL TO URPOLAN KARTANO MANOR

Visit Finland has developed the Sustainable Travel Finland programme, which promotes responsible tourism, and the Sustainable Travel Finland label, which was awarded to Urpolan Kartano in April 2021. In order to obtain the label, the candidate must complete a 7-stage STF path, during which the company’s responsibility will be assessed and a responsibility plan developed so that the company will also have tools for responsible operations in the future.