An interpreted nature discovery trail on the park allows youngsters to make many wildlife discoveries

A family’s holiday park near Lancaster has been named as the North West’s leading green tourism business by judges in this year’s Lancashire Tourism Awards.

Moss Wood Caravan Park in the village of Cockerham took the top gold award in the “ethical, responsible and sustainable” category of the competition.

Moss Woods’ wild flowers, says Henry Wild, provide vital foraging for honey bees and butterflies

And now the park’s director Henry Wild has paid tribute to his team for their enthusiasm and skills in helping to create a “wildlife wonderland” where flora and fauna can flourish.

Moss Wood’s Neil Darby (centre) is presented with the park’s sustainability award at the Lancashire Tourism finals

The glittering Lancashire Tourism awards ceremony was held in Blackburn this February, and was attended by over 400 tourism chiefs and other VIP guests from across the county.

Moss Wood’s accolade came after judges made in in-depth assessment of the park’s sustainability policies, and held a face-to-face interview with its award nominator Neil Darby.

They heard that the park had recently become home to its second colony of 80,000 honey bees after installing two traditional timber hives in its grounds.

The bees’ thriving future is assured thanks to the many high nectar-bearing blooms at Moss Wood, including a 3000 square-foot wildflower wilderness planted by the park.

The endangered insects share their food sources with a wide range of butterflies and other pollinators, and there are plans to harvest their honey to sell in the park’s shop.

Moss Wood, judges learned, also encourages holiday guests and members of the local community, especially children, to engage with nature and to protect wildlife.

Available for them to explore is a 1.5km nature discovery trail, and two spring-fed lakes which act as a magnet for birdlife, dragonflies, waterfowl and a host of other different aquatic species.

Henry Wild, whose family has owned Moss Wood for 50 years, said that everyone was absolutely delighted to have taken the top green prize in the Lancashire Tourism Awards:

“Members of our team at Moss Wood all share our enthusiasm for the natural world, and for doing everything possible to protect the incredible bio-diversity we enjoy here,” he said.

“Their knowledge and support for our work means 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.

As a result of its win, the park will now be automatically considered for entry into the national finals of the Visit England tourism awards later this year.

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