Family and team members at The Quiet Site in Cumbria are celebrating their triumph in the finals of the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2020, announced on Monday 17 August.
The Watermillock park was named as the Silver winner in the category for sustainable tourism businesses which bring benefits to the environment and local communities.
This year’s award ceremony, hosted by popular TV presenter Julia Bradbury, was a “virtual” event streamed live on Monday evening.
It was watched at The Quiet Site by Daniel Holder and his wife Anne along with family, friends, holiday guests and members of the Quiet team.
“We were thrilled when it was announced that The Quiet Site is among England’s top three tourism businesses championing sustainability,” said Daniel.
“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,” added Daniel.
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.
VisitEngland chief executive Sally Balcombe said: “These awards celebrate businesses and individuals in tourism across England who exceed expectations and deliver excellence.
“This year’s impressive list of finalists reflects the sheer scale of innovation, quality and experiences across our tourism landscape, and I congratulate them all.
“Millions of jobs and local economies depend on tourism, and this year’s awards reflect the determination and dedication of tourism businesses across the country who have worked extremely hard to reopen and welcome visitors back safely.”
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.
Earlier this year, The Quiet Site won the Queens Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development.
