If You Go Up
To The Woods Today…
You are sure of a pleasant surprise, as Three Rivers Woodland Park, is introducing new accommodation and leisure options to make the most of its stunning setting, writes Stephanie Sparrow. Photography: Kirsten Platt
Enjoying the great outdoors is recognised as crucial to our wellbeing. Walking and cycling have never been more popular, and health-conscious holidaymakers sojourn in tranquil green spaces in a bid to alleviate stress.
Three Rivers Woodland Park is bursting with these feel-good factors. Set on 47-acres, and including 22 acres of ancient woodland, the site is in the Forest of Bowland and has views of Pendle Hill.
“We are offering a real retreat from the day-to-day here,” says park director Rebby Tapsell, “but being only 2.3 miles away from Clitheroe also means that you don’t feel isolated.”
Rebby is part of the family firm which bought the site a year ago. He is proud to be based in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and takes eco-responsibilities seriously – working towards the David Bellamy Conservation Award for the park.
The new owners are updating many of the facilities, from creating new woodland walks and re-opening a landscaped garden, to introducing more activities, such as yoga, at its Wellbeing Centre. There are opportunities for pampering too, the new gym will be joined by a treatment room to host visiting beauty specialists.
Three Rivers sits among four public footpaths and two bridleways and Rebby encourages walking and cycling around the site and beyond. The pool, which is also open to non-residents, offers swimming lessons twice a week. When it’s time to sit and relax, there’s fresh coffee in the refurbished reception area and locally sourced produce at the café and shop.
And while daytime woodland walks might lead to an encounter with local roe deer and birdlife, night time at Three Rivers brings celestial revelations.
“We are in a Dark Sky Discovery Area,” says Rebby, explaining that the rural setting minimises light pollution, which in turn makes it easier to see the stars at night.
Budding astronomers can take advantage of five new holiday lets being developed. Furnished with sky-light windows and star gazing equipment, and opening onto a communal garden, they could be rented en bloc for family holidays, or for individual use. One of the units will also be disability-friendly.
Existing accommodation, comprising 75 residential park homes and 80 privately owned holiday lodges, will be boosted as 50 new lodges become available on the former touring field.
“These are mostly for private owners, but with a small proportion for holiday hire,” says Rebby.
So, as he and his family breathe new life into Three Rivers, what are his ambitions for the future? “We don’t want to be the biggest site in the Ribble Valley,” he says, “but we do want to be the best.”
Three Rivers Woodland Park
Moor Lane, West Bradford
Clitheroe BB7 3JG
01200 423523
enquiries@threerivers.co.uk
www.threeriverspark.co.uk
