As more and more of us choose to stay closer to home and enjoy the stunning holiday destinations here in Britain, the negative environmental impact of travelling abroad doesn’t seem quite as worth it. Whether you’re staying in a low-impact glamping pod, eating locally sourced produce or enjoying a country hike, there are so many ways you can incorporate sustainable tourism into your next holiday in the Ribble Valley.
Ribble Valley sustainable tourism
Sustainable tourism has seen a huge rise in recent years as travellers become more conscious about the impact of their choices. Sustainable tourism means making the best choices for the environment during your holiday, including protecting local wildlife, supporting local businesses, reducing waste and improving efficiency. Tourism can be a huge business for stunning British holiday destinations like the Ribble Valley and adopting a sustainable approach means mitigating the potential negative impacts on local communities and the environment.
Ribble Valley conservation
Green tourism is a big priority in the Ribble Valley, and the borough council has drawn up a Destination Management Plan for the area as well as Ribble Valley Tourism Awards to ensure a diverse, eco-friendly and sustainable approach to tourism. If you’re looking for a sustainable UK getaway, the Ribble Valley is the perfect location, with a forward-thinking and environmentally conscious approach to tourism across the region.
The perfect sustainable holiday destination
At Holgates Holiday Parks, we take our environmental responsibilities seriously and we are passionate about protecting and preserving our incredible landscapes. Working with nature conservation organisations and prioritising native rare species, our stunning Ribble Valley holiday park has been recognised with the David Bellamy Silver Conservation Award. Set in the heart of the Ribble Valley, our park is designed to be sympathetic to the local environment and encourage and protect native wildlife. We are proud to work with a range of local businesses and producers and use a wide range of measures to reduce our impact on the environment.
Sustainable tourist attractions in the Ribble Valley
One of the best ways to enjoy the Ribble Valley, without harming the environment is by walking and there are hundreds of footpaths, walking trails and hikes around this stunning natural landscape. Visit Gisburn Forest Hub for mountain biking, horseriding and woodland walks and learn more about the wildlife which thrives in this area. Learn about the universe in one of the area’s newly accredited Dark Sky Discovery Sites, where light pollution is limited so visitors can truly appreciate the night sky.
Explore the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or visit Thornton Hall Country Hall to learn about life on a working farm in the Ribble Valley. Nature lovers can also visit the beautiful Cross Hill Nature Reserve in Clitheroe, once a working quarry that was abandoned in the 1900s and is now home to hundreds of native species.
Supporting local businesses
One of the most important elements of sustainable tourism is supporting local businesses and in The Ribble Valley, there are countless creative businesses offering unique products and experiences. Gin lovers should head to Cuckoo Gin Distillery in Brindle, where gin is sustainably handcrafted in Lancashire from locally sourced ingredients grown in the surrounding fields.
Meet new animal friends at Mrs Dowsons Visitor Centre & Farm and learn about local agriculture with a tour of a real working farm led by the farmer. Enjoy delicious ice cream which has been made using fresh milk from the farm dairy, walk with wallabies or feed the alpacas! Visit Potters Barn in Ribchester for homemade cake, artisan bread and pottery painting or take a tour of Bowland Brewery to see how local beer is made.
Sustainable tourist tips
If you want to make the best choices for everyone when you go on holiday, here are a few tips for being a sustainable tourist!
– Make sure you don’t drop any litter
– Follow any rural signs or instructions
– Recycle
– Respect local wildlife and their habitats
– Shop locally
– Try not to fly
– Stay in an eco-conscious holiday park
– Stick to designated footpaths
Hire a bike to explore the Ribble Valley instead of driving or bring your own and cycle to one of the nearby villages to enjoy farm-fresh produce and local delicacies. Local events set up and run by family businesses are crucial to sustainable tourism, so make sure to check out farmers markets, art exhibitions and food and drink tours in the area.
Book Your Stay
The Ribble Valley’s reputation for sustainable tourism is excellent and more and more holidaymakers are choosing this beautiful location to relax and unwind in, without harming the planet. Contact us today to book your escape to the Ribble Valley and make a better choice for the environment and yourself!
