Winning Park Is Wildlife Magnet

ABOVE: Woodside Lodges Country Park’s green policies have made it a magnet for wildlife.

Woodside Lodges Country Park’s green policies have made it a magnet for wildlife. The world-famous botanist, David Bellamy, has presented Woodside Lodges Country Park in Ledbury with his prestigious Conservation Award at its top gold level. Professor Bellamy said the park’s owners, Ken and Janet Davies and their family, have shown themselves to be true friends of the countryside through their careful eco-management policies.

It’s the thirteenth year in succession that the park has scooped the award – but this year David Bellamy announced a bonus accolade. He also designated Woodside as an official “Honey Bee Friendly” park as part of his new initiative to help protect the threatened insects.

The family, said David Bellamy, have created a ‘wildlife wonderland’ on the 28-acre park which was originally bought as a smallholding by Ken and Janet 50 years ago. Today it provides luxury Scandinavian log cabins for hire, plus camping pods and facilities for holidaymakers with their own touring caravans, motorhomes and tents. One of the lakes has been designated for ‘wild swimming’ by guests, and holidaymakers are also invited to help themselves to the old-variety apples and damsons in the park’s orchard. A converted barn on the park has also been provided with a special roof which will allow the resident bats to flourish and encourage nesting swallows.