How Cumbria holiday park is fixing it for fell walkers

People walking the uplands of Cumbria can continue putting the best foot forward, thanks in part to a top-rated Lake District holiday park and its fundraising efforts.

Park Cliffe on the shores of Windermere has donated £1,500 this year to the Fix the Fells programme which makes vital repairs to some of the region’s most popular footpaths.

The sum results from a busy twelve months of money-raising activities at the family-owned park, ranging from quizzes, raffles and a duck race to a bonfire night in November.

Park guests are also invited to make a voluntary donation when they book their stay online – an option which the vast majority take up, according to business owner Susan Dickson.

Susan, who runs Park Cliffe with her husband Derek, said that many park visitors are keen walkers who enjoy exploring the surrounding picture-postcard fells:

“They, like us, recognise that so many pairs of feet using the footpaths can have an impact, and that constant maintenance is required to keep the trails in good condition,” she said.

“Fix the Fells does a magnificent job which benefits millions of people each year, and we are very pleased to be able to do our bit to support their work.

“Our holiday guests are always happy to join in our fundraising activities, and to put their hands in their pockets to help a very good cause,” added Susan.

Fix the Fells is a partnership project which tackles the problems which can arise when trails are subject to prolonged and heavy usage from walkers.

Trampling can kill the vegetation and lead to erosion, and this in turn causes soil to be washed into streams and lakes, as well as leaving ugly scars on the landscape.

The money raised by Park Cliffe will be used to repair and maintain popular paths such as the routes up to the summits of Helvellyn and Scafell Pike.

Work is carried out by teams of skilled National Trust rangers working with an army of over one hundred dedicated volunteers comprising mainly local people.

Park Cliffe boasts a raft of national and regional accolades, and was last year named as the Lake District’s top holiday park in the annual Cumbria Tourism Awards.

From its stunning lakeside setting, the park provides luxury holiday homes to rent and buy, glamping pod accommodation, and pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents.

There is more information about the park on its website at www.parkcliffe.co.uk