a sustainable holiday choice...
Camping and caravanning has always been a ‘greener' type of holiday. Waking up on your campsite to the sound of the birds and the wind in trees rather than in the air-conditioned bubble of a hotel is not only more pleasant, it is more environmentally friendly.
The popularity of camping and caravanning is booming, not just because it offers a great value holiday, freedom and flexibility ¬- many people choose to camp because it is a more sustainable form of tourism. By camping you are reducing the impact of your holiday on the environment.
Time was when having a bottle bank constituted a serious environmental commitment. Those days are long gone. Regulations are stricter, campers and caravanners are more informed, and there are higher expectations all round. Camping and caravanning sites all over Cumbria and the Lake District are doing there bit to preserve the country's uniquely beautiful countryside and put Cumbria on the map as a green holiday destination.
There are a number of green accreditation schemes in operation (like the The Cumbria Business Environment Network (CBEN) awards scheme for environmental management, or the Green Tourism Business Scheme, which recognises sustainable and ethical tourism) so you know that you are helping to make a difference while you holiday.
Many other sites across the county are participating in the David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme, which recognises campsites for their commitment to conservation and the environment. Stay on one of these sites and you will see the range of amazing things that are being done to create more environmentally friendly surroundings and encourage a variety of wildlife. Like the red squirrel feeders and bug boxes at Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping Site.
Or the local limestone used by craftsmen to make traditional stone walls at the Wild Rose Park at Appleby-in-Westmorland. And the stars of the show at Woodclose Caravan Park near Kirkby Lonsdale are the swallows that return year after year to nest under the eaves of the main building. A "Swallow Cam" has even been installed to let visitors take a closer look.
David Bellamy Awards
David Bellamy Conservation Awards are made each year to parks which can demonstrate policies showing active concern for the environment. Three levels are available, Gold, Silver and Bronze.
