A wildflower makeover in the Peak District

As we begin to write our November blog during Lockdown 2.0, our thoughts stray to the need for a holiday and a change of scene! And what better place to staycation than the glorious Peak District?

Having previously worked with luxury lodge specialists, Darwin Escapes to enhance their Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat site in Cumbria as well as several others, we have recently helped to create a stunning wildflower haven at their newly opened Rivendale Lodge Retreat.

Set in the heart of the Peak District with views overlooking the Alsop Dale, the luxurious new lodge resort is situated within acres of Derbyshire countryside and offers the perfect escape.

Rivendale Lodge Retreat in the heart of the Peak District

Formally a caravan park, new owner Darwin Escapes has completely transformed the Rivendale site. Since opening in mid-September, the resort has proven very popular with the self-contained luxury lodges a great option for those looking to holiday a little closer to home.

With conservation a key component of the resort’s development strategy, Wildflower Turf Ltd was commissioned by Landscape Architects and Environmental Consultants RPS Planning & Development to lend our expertise to this redevelopment project.

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, during spring and summer of this year we provided the project with 9,200m2 of a modified mix of our Landscape 34 Wildflower Turf.

We also supplied a further 3,500m2 of a bespoke Wildflower Turf blend which was carefully designed by the Landscape Architects in discussion with the Peak District National Park Authority ecology and landscape teams.

The bespoke calcareous grassland will serve to enhance the botanical interest of Rivendale by adding locally common, UK-native colour and diversity to the landscape as well as providing a habitat for bees and other local wildlife.

As well as considerable wildflower plantings, the Rivendale location also includes a number of new wildlife ponds, hundreds of native trees and a new “bat barn” to further conservation and protection of the local wildlife.

Blending beautifully into the natural setting, the extensive wildflower meadows around the site have significantly enhanced both the aesthetics and biodiversity credentials of the holiday park.

Rivendale has been a fascinating project to be involved with and we take great pleasure in knowing that our beautiful wildflowers will bring delight to holidaymakers for many years to come.

For more information about Rivendale Lodge Retreat, head over to their website: https://darwinescapes.co.uk/rivendale-lodge-retreat/.