By Emma Dodd
A caravan park in Windermere has been named as one of the greenest places to enjoy a staycation by scooping a top award.
Park Cliffe Camping and Caravan Estate has won the 2020 David Bellamy Conservation Award, having been granted its top level gold status.
The award, which recognises the park’s efforts to protect the natural world, is named after the famous botanist and has been highlighting the places to holiday with the best green credentials for 25 years.
Park Cliffe is run by Susan and Derek Dickson, but the duo were keen to state the importance of their team in ensuring the environment is at the heart of everything they do.
Mrs Dickson said: “Everyone here shares our love of the natural world, and our team members play a vital role in helping us to put our plans into action, and contributing their own ideas.
“Park Cliffe tends to attract holiday guests who want to enjoy tranquil, unspoiled surroundings, and their support has also been important to us over the past twelve years.”
She added that they hope the award will help to highlight Cumbria as an eco destination.
Windermere is the biggest lake in England and is surrounded by beautiful countryside, as well as many attractions that delight visitors to the area.
The World of Beatrix Potter brings the work of the much-loved children’s writer to life in the surroundings where she created her iconic characters.
This latest award is not the first accolade Park Cliffe has received, with a number of prestigious titles having been bestowed on it over the years.
As well as welcoming touring caravans, motorhomes and tents, the site also has holiday homes and glamping pods available to rent.
Judges for the David Bellamy Award noted the high-nectar bearing flowers and wildlife habitats put in place by the owners, making sightings of honey bees and butterflies a common occurrence at Park Cliffe.
It was also praised for the banning of single-use plastics, championing of local food and use of low-level lighting to ensure a good view of the night sky.
