World-famous botanist and TV personality Professor David Bellamy has given a golden thumbs-up to a green and wildlife-friendly North East holiday destination.
Northumbrian Water’s Landal Kielder Waterside park has been honoured with the prestigious David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level.
The award, which is supported by the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, is presented to environmental excellence.
Parks are judged on four main factors: wildlife management; reducing theuse of energy, water and other resources; recycling, and supporting local communities.
Winning the award for the 14th consecutive year, Landal Kielder Waterside was particularly commended for its commitment to nurturing and improving the biodiversity of the site.
The park has focussed on hedgerow planting this year and has added an additional 100 metres of hedgerow on site, bringing the Kielder Waterside hedgerow to just under 590 metres.
The hedgerows are managed for wildlife, being cut every other year and mostly layered rather than cut.
Kielder Waterside has also planted an additional 600 native trees around the site which, once mature, will provide local wildlife such as the endangered red squirrel a source of food before the winter months arrive.
Presenting the award on behalf of his father David, Rufus Bellamy said: “Kielder is a very special place that is one of the jewels of Northumberland and is, without doubt, one of my and my father’s favourite places to visit.
“Both the forest and Kielder Water itself are beautifully peaceful and full of wonderful wildlife, and I’m delighted to conserve this.
“The site is managed in an environmentally sensitive way as possible, and every opportunity is taken to help guests get a sight of the many beautiful species that make Kielder their home.
“It’s a true haven for wildlife and for that I say thank you so much,” added Rufus.
Heidi Mottram, Northumbrian Water’s chief executive officer, said: “Landal Kielder Waterside has won the David Bellamy Gold Award for conservation every year since 2004, and this is an fantastic feat of which we are very proud.
“We’ve worked very hard to ‘think green’ on site.
“We’ve adopted many green technologies and initiatives and have installed energy efficient equipment in all of our lodges and onsite facilities.
“We work with Northumberland Wildlife Trust to make sure that award number fifteen will be ours next year!” said Heidi.
Set on the shore of Kielder Water, the largest man-made lake in northern Europe, Landal Kielder Waterside provides 50 luxury four and five star lodges.
Kielder Water & Forest Park, which spans 250 square miles, is also home to the largest forest in England.
It was voted the most tranquil place in England by the Campaign to its unspoiled skies and minimal light pollution.
There is more information about the park at www.kielderwaterside.com
