Lancashire holiday park set to celebrate green award after all-clear
The family owners of Hawthorns Holiday Park in rural north Lancashire say they can’t wait to celebrate news of a top environmental award with their customers – when they are allowed to return.
The Carnforth park has just learned that it has scooped the prestigious 2020 David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level for the fifteenth year in succession.
But the Wright family say they are putting the party on hold until they are able to welcome back the families who own luxury lodges and caravans on the park.
Assessors for the award said that Hawthorns was to be applauded for giving the same VIP welcome to nature and wildlife as it does to holiday visitors.
The award scheme was founded 25 years ago by botanist David Bellamy who passed away in December 2019, and whose work is being carried on by his son Rufus.
Hawthorns has been under the ownership of the Wright family for 30 years, and has undertaken a raft of conservation initiatives in its 15-acre grounds.
They include a wild flower meadow where high nectar-bearing blooms provide vital foraging for honey bees, butterflies and other pollinators, as well as a nesting area for pheasants and grouse.
Park guests are also delighted by the regular visits from deer which live in the neighbouring bluebell woods.
There are also three wildlife ponds which are home to many species including dragonflies and water fowl, including mallards, guinea fowl and herons, as well as a host of bird-life.
Director Ashley Wright said that he and his parents, Deryck and Monika, have always been keen to work hand-in-hand with nature and to run the park along sustainable lines:
“We feel so privileged to live and work in this beautiful part of north Lancashire, and we tend to attract customers who share our love of the natural world,” he said.
“For that reason, we’ve always been keen to ensure that all the improvements we make will benefit the amazing flora and fauna which Hawthorns sustains.
“It’s great to have our efforts recognised by this award, but the credit must be shared with the loyal and hardworking members of our staff team, Phil, David and Karen.
“We rely on their skills and knowledge to ensuring that our various conservation initiatives become a reality, and make this an even greener place to come on holiday,” added Ashley.
Award assessors praised the park’s planting of many native trees and shrubs, and the maintenance of its ancient hedgerows which provide important animal habitats.
They also highlighted the use of shielded lighting so that visitors can enjoy the night sky, and the “hedgehog hotels” and other habitat shelters in the grounds.
The family was applauded too on its engagement with the local community in the Carnforth area, including fundraising for good causes.
In addition to its main award, the park also received four extra commendations for protecting honey bees, safeguarding hedgerows, providing woodland habitats, and planting wild flowers.
Not that Hawthorns is any stranger to awards for it holds a top five-star grading from Visit England, and is a winner of the Best Holiday Park in Lancashire and Most Improved Park in England accolades.
More information about the park can be found at www.hawthornscaravanpark.co.uk
