The Quiet Site at Ullswater has been awarded a silver award for its ethical, responsible and sustainable tourism in the Visit England annual Awards for Excellence.
The awards, now in their 31st year, celebrate and champion innovation, quality and best practice across the industry, recognising businesses and individuals who raise the bar of England’s tourism offer.
The winners were selected from hundreds of tourism businesses across England including hotels, self-catering accommodation, B&Bs, glamping operators, attractions, restaurants, pubs, museums and conference centres.
This year’s award ceremony, hosted by popular TV presenter Julia Bradbury, was a virtual event streamed live last week.
It was watched at The Quiet Site, at Watermillock, by Daniel Holder and his wife Anne along with family, friends, holiday guests and members of the team.
“We were thrilled when it was announced that The Quiet Site is among England’s top three tourism businesses championing sustainability,” said Daniel, whose business also won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development earlier this year.
“The VisitEngland awards are known as the Oscars for the holiday industry, and we’re very proud to be able to bring this silver award home to Cumbria.
“I hope it will help put the national spotlight on our county as a place where visitors can enjoy the world’s most beautiful scenery without impacting negatively on the environment.
“After what has been a very testing time for tourism enterprises everywhere, this is a wonderful way to show that the Lake District is truly back in business.”
Daniel and Anne acquired The Quiet Site in 1990 as a simple camping field, and from the outset made sustainable tourism their main business priority. Among the most popular accommodation options at the park are 15 underground Hobbit Holes, which are highly insulated and extremely energy efficient.
The Quiet Site has invested heavily in sustainable technologies including solar panels and biomass heating, as well as banning single-use plastics, and implementing a “buy local” policy.
Last year, the park opened a “zero waste” food shop which specialises in Cumbrian produce free from unnecessary packaging, and with the fewest possible food miles under its belt.
As well as its Hobbit Holes, The Quiet Site offers camping pods, glamping cabins, holiday cottages, and tent and touring pitches with commanding views of Ullswater.
VisitEngland chief executive Sally Balcombe said: “These prestigious awards celebrate the outstanding businesses and individuals in tourism across England who have delivered excellence.
From a world-class boutique B&B in Devon to adventure-packed experiences in Somerset, from an accessible country park and national nature reserve in Dorset to a bespoke English wine tour in Kent, our award winners provide stand-out experiences of the highest calibre.
“Millions of jobs and local economies depend on tourism and this year’s awards are also a timely reminder of the determination, innovation and commitment of businesses across the country who have been working extremely hard to reopen, to welcome visitors back safely and to continue to provide a first-class experience.”
During the virtual event VisitEngland also announced a new approach for the 2020-21 awards in recognition of businesses and individuals within the tourism industry who have demonstrated innovation, resilience and adaptation along with support for their local communities during the COVID-19 crisis.
Nominations for Tourism Heroes will be welcomed from businesses, as well as members of the public and colleagues within the industry. More details are set to be announced by VisitEngland in the coming weeks.
The only other Cumbrian business to make the winners list was Haven Cottage in Ambleside, which achieved bronze in the B&B/guesthouse of the year category
