Professor David Bellamy has named Beech Croft Caravan Park and Campsite in Derbyshire as one of the UK’s greenest holiday spots – and awarded it a special ‘GOLD’ accolade for protecting and enhancing the natural world.
Beech Croft Farm is a small, family-run caravan park and camping site located between Buxton and Bakewell in Derbyshire. It is right in the heart of and makes an ideal base for exploring the Peak District National Park.
A variety of works and projects have been undertaken by John, Julie and Jodie over the past few years – from the creation of new wildlife meadows and woodlands to the construction of a shower block powered by sustainable energy.
Their efforts have now won them a David Bellamy Conservation GOLD Award, described by Professor Bellamy as the ‘Green Olympics’ for campsites and holiday parks.
David Bellamy said he was “absolutely amazed” when he discovered just how much was being done by campsites like Beech Croft to protect and enhance the environment.
“Many campsites like this have created wildlife wonderlands, and I think it’s time they were given deserved recognition for their big commitment,” said Professor Bellamy.
Beech Crofts’ award was made following a detailed audit of the site’s environmental policies, supported by comments made by holidaymakers.
What is a David Bellamy Conservation GOLD Award?
The David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme is one of the longest running green tourism awards in the UK. The idea of the scheme was first sown when David Bellamy gave a talk to members of the camping, caravanning and holiday home park industry in which he gave the audience members a challenge to be part of the environmental solution and not part of the problem. David was then invited to visit many parks and was amazed at the wide range of work that the most forward-thinking owners were doing for the environment.
David was so impressed that a partnership was formed between the Conservation Foundation (the environmental organisation that David co-founded to help businesses get involved in conservation) and the British Holiday & Home Parks Association to set up an award scheme.
How are the awards judged?
The parks that take part in the scheme are all regularly assessed by the scheme’s team of local wildlife experts. The assessors look at the steps parks are taking to:
- Manage their land as a haven for wildlife
- Reduce their use of energy, water and other resources
- Reduce, reuse and recycle the waste they produce
- Support their local communities
David Bellamy uses the assessors’ reports (and any comments received from members of the public) to make his awards each year. Three levels of excellence can be achieved: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
To find out more please visit: www.bellamyparks.co.uk
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