Whitelee Nature Tourism Centre Gets Green Award

A farm-based holiday centre in Northumberland National Park has this month become one of a select few businesses in the north east of England to receive a silver grading from the Green Tourism Business Scheme. Whitelee Holiday Cottages near Byrness is set in one of the last remaining wilderness environments on the Northumberland Scottish border and owners John and Jill Wilson received the grading for the measures they have taken to protect and enhance this unique environment.

Whitelee Farm

The Green Tourism Business Scheme is the largest environmental accreditation body of tourism-related businesses in Europe with over 500 members in the UK. Their inspectors carry out an environmental audit of businesses to ensure that strict criteria have been met before issuing a grading.

The Wilsons have developed an eco-friendly, nature-based tourist centre on their farm which overlooks the picturesque Rede Valley and the Whitelee National Nature Reserve. The three luxurious self-catering cottages at the centre share this view, and visitors can enjoy walks along well-managed footpaths by the burn that runs through the farm, spotting the varied bird and plant life along the way.

As well as wildlife walks and spectacular views, John and Jill have undertaken a number of environmental measures which have led to the silver grading. Visitors to the cottages can also enjoy wonderful sights of barn owls, badgers, foxes, pheasants and other wildlife without moving from the comfort of their armchairs. Three CCTV cameras carry live pictures from inside a barn owl nest box and from a feeding station direct to the television screens in each of the farm’s 4-star cottages. Infra red lights allow holidaymakers to watch the various birds and animals that come and go by day and by night. The Naturewatch cameras were installed with the support of the Northumberland National Park whose Sustainable Development Grant part funded the scheme.

In addition to the Naturewatch cameras, the Wilsons have embarked on a programme to install alternative energy to the cottages, reducing the carbon footprint of the business. With funding from North Energy and the National Park, central heating in one cottage has already been converted from oil to a geothermal system; electricity is being generated by photovoltaic panels and hot water supplied through solar panels. A wind generator has been erected to supply power to a large holiday unit that is currently being created from redundant barns and a geothermal system, PV and solar panels will also provide power and hot water. The Wilsons are currently converting a further two cottages.

Their ongoing programme of environmental improvements has seen thousands of broadleaved native trees planted, wildlife ponds created, nest boxes and bat roosting boxes installed. Environmentally friendly cleaning products are being used in all the cottages and a Bokashi composting system introduced for all vegetable & food waste. Future plans will see the further development of wildlife walks with hides for birdwatching and the creation of a reed bed to deal with all sewage.

John Wilson explained: “This is such a special part of the world that it deserves to be treated with respect and care. We feel very privileged to be living here, but it comes with responsibilities and we really appreciate the recognition that this grading affords us for our efforts.”

Northumberland National Park Authority Chief Executive, Tony Gates commented: “The demand for nature-based tourism in Britain is a growing rapidly and Northumberland is a wild and tranquil place with so much to share with visitors. These days many people care strongly about their own carbon footprint, and the environmental integrity of the places they holiday in, and John and Jill have been farsighted in developing Whitelee Farm into a truly sustainable and exciting holiday spot. It is totally in keeping with how the National Park Authority want to see tourism develop, and they deserve their silver grading.”

Visitors can find out more from the Whitelee Farm website and the centre will be featured on BBC Naturewatch on 19th February 2007.

For more information contact:

Communications Officer
Telephone: 01434 611542
Fax: 01434 611692
Email: news@nnpa.org.uk