Lancs holiday park a sustainability champion

Family's holiday park takes a bow at Lancs tourism awards

A family's hideaway holiday park near Lancaster, Moss Wood, has been named as one of the top five socially aware businesses in the North West.

Judges in the Lancashire Tourism Awards included the park in their line-up of top performers in the "ethical, responsible and sustainable" category.

Held this February in Blackburn and attended by more than 400 tourism chiefs from across the country, the awards were back following a two-year break.

Moss Wood was nominated for the category in recognition of its policy of putting sustainability and care for the countryside at the heart of its business culture,

Based in the village of Cockerham, the park encourages holiday guests and members of the local community, especially children, to engage with nature and to protect wildlife.

Henry Wild, whose family has owned Moss Wood for 50 years, said that everyone was absolutely delighted to have had their work recognised at the awards.

"We are very fortunate to be able to attract staff who share our enthusiasm for the natural world, and for doing everything possible to protect our flora and fauna," he said.

"Their knowledge and skills mean we are never short of new ideas for safeguarding wildlife, and for helping youngsters to enjoy making new outdoor discoveries.

"Our family feels very privileged to live and work in this beautiful part of rural Lancashire, and I hope this award will help raise awareness of its very special qualities," added Henry.

The park has been presented with the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level for over twenty consecutive years, celebrating its raft of conservation initiatives.

These include a 1.5km nature discovery trail, and a 3000 square-foot wild flower wilderness providing vital foraging for honey bees and butterflies.

There is also a spring-fed lake at Moss Wood which acts as a magnet for birdlife, dragonflies, water fowl and a host of other different aquatic species.

In addition, the park plays host to thousands of bees in hives on its grounds, and supports bee-keeping charities with the sale of its own artisan beer produced by a local micro-brewery.

Moss Wood provides holiday homes to buy as well as pitches for touring caravans and motorhomes. There is more information about the park at www.mosswood.co.uk