MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM NEARS FUNDRAISING GOAL

Posted on February 11, 2025

The Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team has moved closer to its dream of building a new headquarters, thanks to a £3,000 donation from Park Cliffe, a family-owned holiday park in Windermere.

The funds were raised over the past year through initiatives like a popular duck race, charity raffles supported by local businesses, and guest contributions via the park’s collection box. Park Cliffe added a final £400 to round off the donation.

Currently, the Duddon and Furness team is the only one among the ten Lake District mountain rescue groups without a permanent, purpose-built base. A new HQ would provide crucial facilities, including a warm space for volunteers returning from challenging rescues on the fells.

Park Cliffe owner Susan Dickson expressed pride in the efforts of their team and guests: “Many of our visitors are avid walkers who value the life-saving work of mountain rescue teams. Their generosity will help bring this goal closer and support these incredible volunteers,” she said.

In addition to supporting the rescue team, Park Cliffe celebrated its own achievements this year, winning the Federation of Small Businesses 2024 regional award for sustainability.

PIONEERING GREEN HOLIDAYS

Posted on March 13, 2024

PIONEERING GREEN HOLIDAYS

SUSAN AND DEREK Dickson (centre) were given two top spots by judges at the Cumbria Business Awards

The husband-and-wife team behind a popular Windermere holiday park say that they were left reeling after learning that they had scooped two top awards in one swoop. Susan and Derek Dickson of Park Cliffe heard the couple’s five-star park near the shores of Windermere had taken first place in the Best Family Business of the Year category.

Susan and Derek were then invited back to the stage again and told that Park Cliffe had triumphed in the Green/Ethical Business of the Year category, beating hundreds of other eligible enterprises to the title. “We were rather knocked for six when we realised that we would be taking two trophies home!” said Susan who, with Derek, has owned the park for just over 15 years.

“Our daughter Abi and son Jack play an important part in the running of Park Cliffe, and the family business award is a credit to how much they make this a real team effort. “Abi and Jack also share our love for the natural world, and our concern to make the holidays we offer as green and environmentally friendly as possible.”

Set in 25 acres of countryside above the shores of Windermere, Park Cliffe provides holiday homes to rent and own, glamping facilities, and pitches for tents, touring caravans and motorhomes. Last year, Susan and Derek welcomed local MP Tim Farron to officially open a major new green energy project undertaken at Park Cliffe by the couple.

Representing a £200,000 investment, it features over 200 high-efficiency solar panels which will save 21 tonnes of carbon from entering the atmosphere each year. The installation, known as a solar array, is capable of generating around 100Kw of power, and is designed to produce electricity even on the most overcast of days. More initiatives to reduce the park’s carbon footprint and to protect its indigenous wildlife and native plants are planned for 2024, said Susan.

FLORAL FANFARES FOR WINDERMERE

Posted on February 16, 2022

FLORAL FANFARES FOR WINDERMERE

BLOOMING MARVELLOUS: pictured at Park Cliffe are (from left) Cumbria in Bloom judges Ronnie Auld and Chris Scales, together with the park’s head groundsman Roger Holmes who masterminds the annual floral displays

Lakeland’s Park Cliffe holiday park has returned from the recent Cumbria in Bloom awards with a whole bunch of floral and environmental accolades.
The family-run park, near the shores of Windermere, scooped no fewer than four glittering prizes in the competition which attracted hundreds of entries from across Cumbria.
Judges described Park Cliffe as “outstanding” and a perfect fit to the world-famous landscape where wildlife and nature were given the same VIP treatment as guests. The four awards celebrated different aspects of the park including its stunning floral displays, the care of its woodlands, and the wide range of biodiversity in its grounds.
The park has been owned for over 13 years by Susan and Derek Dickson and has won a host of awards for its care of the natural world and conservation work. But Susan says that the real credit for its 2021 Cumbria in Bloom success was owed to its green-fingered staff team, and especially head groundsman Roger Holmes.
“Guests often comment on how visually stunning the park looks, not just in spring but also right throughout the year, thanks to Roger’s imagination and careful planning.

LOTS OF THE BLOOMS are specially chosen for their high nectar content, providing valuable foraging for insects

“Roger also gives priority to high nectar-bearing blooms, including wild flowers, which provide valuable foraging for butterflies, honey bees and other pollinators.
“We also try and ensure that there are plenty of late-flowering plants at this time of year so that these insects can top-up their energy levels before winter sets in.”
Park Cliffe nestles in 25 acres of picture-perfect countryside, and provides holiday homes to rent and buy, glamping pods, and pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents. The park has been praised for the many wildlife habitats it has created, its championing of local foods in its shop and restaurant, and the use of low-level lighting so guests can enjoy the night sky.
Other initiatives include the banning of single-use plastics throughout the business, and the switch to non-polluting all-electric vehicles around the grounds.

Park Cliffe Holiday Park
www.parkcliffe.co.uk

Blooming Triple Triumph

Posted on November 5, 2018

Blooming Triple Triumph

Helping visitors to enjoy a truly colourful stay, Park Cliffe in Windermere has won three top prizes in the 2018 Cumbria in Bloom awards. The family-run business scooped gold accolades in the best in district, and overall tourism categories of the closely-fought annual contest. Park Cliffe, said the judges, had created a colourful, creative and superbly designed floral setting which is bound to enhance the pleasure of holiday guests. The awards mark the achievements of business owners Susan and Derek Dickson, and their ground staff at 25-acre Park Cliffe which sits above the eastern shores of Windermere. Susan and Derek have owned the park for just over a decade, and have made its flower displays a major feature to which many guests regularly return.

Calling Time On Single-Use Plastics

Posted on May 15, 2018

Calling Time On Single-Use Plastics

Park Cliffe's cafe has brought in paper straws

A Windermere holiday park has become one of the first resorts in the industry to call time on plastic waste. Pre-empting even governmental moves, the forward-thinking Park Cliffe has announced a crackdown on plastic items which are designed for single use, including straws, bags, bottles, sauce sachets and coffee cups. From now on, holiday guests will be asked to join the park in helping to tackle the mountains of waste plastic accumulating in our oceans and rivers. Old fashioned paper drinking straws are being drafted in, and items once sold in plastic bags will be handed over in a biodegradable paper bags. Park Cliffe’s cafe has squeezed out sauce sachets in favour of condiments in glass bottles, and takeaway coffees and teas will now come in compostable cups. Or if customers bring their own reusable cups, a 25p discount will be offered.

BLUE PLANET

It is also pulling the plug on water sold in plastic bottles, and installing a filtered water dispenser so that guests can fill their own bottles free of charge. The park has taken delivery of a plastics recycling station so that the waste can be disposed of without causing pollution. Based on the shores of Windermere, Park Cliffe provides luxury holiday homes to rent and buy, glamping pod accommodation, and pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents. “Thanks to programmes such as the BBC’s Blue Planet series, I think we’re all much more aware of the threats posed by plastic, and not least to wildlife,” said park co-owner Susan Dickson. “Footage of turtles and other marine animals trapped in plastic bags has made a big impact on many people, and we all know that a solution must be found. “Park Cliffe tends to attract those with a concern for the natural world, and they are very supportive of our steps to become more environmentally friendly,” added Susan. Waging war on plastics is not the park’s only move to protect the natural world, and Park Cliffe’s many awards include accolades for its care of the countryside. Earlier this year, the business also announced it was ditching diesel for many of the journeys made around the 25-acre park by parking up its Land Rover in favour of an electric vehicle.

Carry On Glamping

Posted on March 19, 2018

Carry On Glamping

Visitors can escape to an idyllic glamping retreat in a secluded beachy area of Cornwall courtesy of Melody Farm.

Award-winning sites in the annual camping and glamping awards ....

Good work deserves recognition and each of the award winning sites in the 2017 Campsites.co.uk camping and glamping awards has offered something above and beyond to their guests. We bring you the sites that offered guests something extra special in 2017. The judges cherry-picked the very best glamping sites, the campsites that welcome four legged friends with open arms, and much, much more besides.. It’s high time to say thanks and give credit where it’s due, so well done to all the winners - and here’s to more of the same in 2018!

POPULAR CHOICE AWARD

When it comes to camping, the overall experience matters for a boost that will stay with you long after you return to daily life. The chosen sites were not only immensely popular on the website, but also generated a buzz from their happy campers.

WINNER: Park Cliffe, Cumbria Set in gorgeous countryside just a short distance from Lake Windermere’s eastern shore, this park offers gorgeous fell-side pitches and range of quality glamping options. With locally sourced delicious dishes in its restaurant, a dog-friendly bar terrace and the undeniable luxury of private bathrooms for hire, Park Cliffe is the perfect base for a tour of the Lakes!

The National Winner in the Popular Choice award category, Park Cliffe is the perfect base for a tour of the Lakes!

REGIONAL WINNERS
South West Winner: Golden Cap Holiday Park, Dorset Commended: Cofton Country Holidays, Devon
South East Winner: Long Meadow Campsite, Hampshire Commended: Aldridge Hill Campsite, Hampshire
West Midlands Winner: Alton, The Star C&CC Site, Staffordshire Commended: Greenway Touring and Glamping Park, Shropshire
East Midlands Winner: Wolds View Touring Park, Lincolnshire Commended: Crowden C & CC Site, Derbyshire
East of England Winner: Searles Leisure Resort, Norfolk Commended: King’s Lynn Caravan and Camping Park, Norfolk
North West Winner: Baystone Bank Farm Campsite, Cumbria Commended: Waterfoot Park, Cumbria
North East Winner: Buckden Camping and Pods, North Yorkshire Commended: York House Caravan Park, North Yorkshire
Scotland Winner: Highfield Holidays, Argyll Commended: Loch Ness Shores C&CC Site, Highlands
Wales Winner: Penrhyn Bay Caravan Park, Anglesey Commended: Fishguard Bay Resort, Pembrokeshire

BEST GLAMPING SITE AWARDS
It’s time to really put the glam in glamping! When holidaymakers book a glamping break, they’re looking for something extra special - the experience factor, a high standard of service, and those allimportant luxury touches that bring your stay to life. These sites deliver the best of the best, so give them a big hand for understanding exactly what makes you tick!

WINNER: Melody Farm Shepherd’s Huts, Cornwall Escape to an idyllic glamping retreat in a secluded beachy area of Cornwall, with these two heart-warming shepherd’s huts for company. Not only can visitors indulge in their own romantic haven, with a double bed, your own en-suite and a rustic kitchen area, you can also make full use of the site’s boutique facilities. Residents be well entertained with a swimming pool, tennis court, state-of-the-art gym and five luscious acres to wander in.

Residents can indulge in their own romantic haven complete with a double bed, en-suite and a rustic kitchen area

REGIONAL WINNERS

South West: Winner: Caalm Camp, Dorset Commended: Enchanted Valley Yurts, Cornwall
South East Winner: Plush Tents Glamping, West Sussex Commended: Woodside Spa and Glamping, East Sussex
West Midlands Winner: Woodhall Farm, Worcestershire Commended: Canvas and Clover, Worcestershire
East Midlands Winner: Glamp in Style, Lincolnshire Commended: Country Bumpkin Yurts, Northamptonshire
East of England Winner: Happy Days Retro Vacations, Suffolk Commended: Brambells Glamping, Norfolk
North West Winner: Samlesbury Hall Shepherd’s Hut Hamlet, Lancashire Commended: Lantern & Larks Bleasdale, Lancashire
North East Winner: Yurtshire Fountains, North Yorkshire Commended: Camp Katur, North Yorkshire
Scotland Winner: Craighead Howfs, Perthshire Commended: Harvest Moon Holidays, Edinburgh and the Lothians
Wales Winner: Cosy Under Canvas, Powys Commended: Ceridwen Centre, Carmarthenshire

TOP DOG AWARDS
Not much matters more to us Brits than our four-legged friends, and we need their company on holiday just as much as when we’re snuggled at home. These pooch-pampering sites know that dogs are a part of the family, and make sure that they feel like it! From dedicated dog walks, to on-site groomers and pet friendly pods, man’s best friend has never been made more welcome! When you get peckish and head to the site’s restaurant, your four-legged friend is welcome too. And even if you decide to explore on two wheels, you can rent a doggy trailer locally and bring your pooch along for the ride. Talk about a dog’s life!

WINNER: Sandy Balls Holiday Village Sandy Balls Holiday Village in Hampshire has been running for more than 95 years and in that time tens of thousands of guests have enjoyed its superb customer service, luxury facilities, quality accommodation and an abundance of activities in a breath-taking setting. Five-star Sandy Balls has something for everyone, so whether it’s a long weekend, mid-week break or longer, it offers the perfect holiday destination.

Sandy Balls offers a site where pets are recognised as members of the family.

REGIONAL WINNERS

South West Winner: Portesham Dairy Farm Campsite, Dorset Commended: Deanwood Caravan and Camping, Gloucestershire
South East Winner: Rye Harbour Holiday Park, East Sussex Commended: Long Acres Caravan and Camping Park, Surrey
West Midlands Winner: Poston Mill Park, Herefordshire Commended: The Green Caravan Par k, Shropshire
East Midlands Winner: Cakes and Ale Holiday Park, Suffolk Commended: Old Brick Kilns, Norfolk
East of England Winner: Billing Aquadrome, Northamptonshire Commended: Grace Park, Lincolnshire
North West Winner: Elm Cottage Touring Park, Cheshire Commended: Dalston Hall Holiday Park, Cumbria
North East Winner: Crows Nest Caravan Park, North Yorkshire Commended: Brenda House Touring Caravan Park, East Yorkshire
Scotland Winner: Barnsoul Caravan Park, Dumfries and Galloway Commended: Castlewigg Holiday Park, Dumfries and Galloway
Wales Winner: Graig Wen, Gwynedd Commended: Bryn Gloch Caravan and Camping Park, Gwynedd

MOST UNIQUE SITE AWARD
These sites offer something truly quirky and unique, allowing the visitor to experience the most unusual accommodation ever dreamed of - for memories that last a lifetime.
WINNER: Blackberry Wood, East Sussex
Situated within the South Downs National Park, only 10 miles from Brighton, Blackberry Wood is a truly unique camping and glamping site with private camping glades in a woodland setting, each with their own fire pitch for the essential campfire. Glamping options include a double-decker London bus, a converted Wessex helicopter, a gypsy caravan, an ‘Eco Perch’ log cabin and two incredible treehouses.

Blackberry Wood, East Sussex, caught the judges eye.

Blackberry Wood, offers a unique camping experience.

Commended: Glamping Thorpe, Oxfordshire

Commended: Stonehenge Campsite and Glamping Pods, Wiltshire

GREENER SITE AWARD

These environmentally friendly sites are top of the leaderboard when it comes to working in harmony with nature and finding ways to save the planet and preserve our beautiful countryside without diminishing your holiday experience.

WINNER: Wild Boar Wood Campsite, West Sussex

Get away from it all and discover the freedom of wild glamping with a visit to Eco Camp UK’s Wild Boar Wood Campsite. Set in a private five-acre woodland near Haywards Heath in West Sussex, our small off-grid glamping site offers a fantastic option for those looking for glamping near London. The campsite has just nine bell tents tucked away among the trees and opens from April to October. Here, you can enjoy the simpler things in life as you relax around the campfire, enjoy the natural surroundings and make a hobby of waving at steam trains passing on the nearby Bluebell Railway.

Please get in touch to see the full feature!

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Triple Treat For Cumbria Tourers

Posted on January 13, 2016

Triple Treat For Cumbria Tourers

Castlerigg (pictured) is one of three lakes to offer new breaks.

Three of Cumbria’s most celebrated lakes are shortly to be joined up for the benefit of campervan owners seeking a totally immersive holiday experience.
Ullswater, Derwentwater and Windermere are all combined in a three night lake-lovers break which has been created by a trio of multi-award winning parks; The Quiet Site, Park Cliffe and Castlerigg.
For just £60.00 all-in, guests will be able to awake each morning to different views of spectacular lake and mountain scenery made world famous by poets and artists.
The deal, say the parks, will not just save money but also ensure that holidaymakers get the most from their short breaks by enjoying the best seats in the house.
The three independent parks hope that their lake lovers’ dream tour will meet with the same success as another initiative they launched two years ago for cyclists.
Called Pod ‘n’ Pedal the break provides camping pod accommodation for one night on each park as guests follow a 70-mile route on mainly quite country lanes through the Lake District.