Rivendale Lodge Retreat branching out after bumper opening year

Darwin Escapes’ first resort in the Peak District – Rivendale Lodge Retreat – is celebrating its first year of successful operation with the opening of new luxury treehouses and increased commitments to its local environment.

Having opened its doors in September 2020 and blessed with natural surroundings and views over Alsop Dale, Rivendale Lodge Retreat has proved a popular escape over the past year with UK holidaymakers seeking the ‘great outdoors’, active family breaks and cosy weekends in the countryside.

The new treehouses have been cleverly-designed to merge seamlessly into the natural surroundings and treehouse guests will receive full home comforts to enjoy a relaxing break.

All treehouses come equipped with a kitchen, shower room, double bed and private hot tub with a decked outdoor seating area, providing the dream getaway and a fantastic chance to detox, with dale and woodland walks by day and starry skies at night.

Rivendale Lodge Retreat also offers 74 luxurious holiday rental lodges which range from one to four-bedrooms, all with the beauty of the Peak District on its doorstep and with access to the on-site bar and bistro.

Rivendale also celebrated its anniversary with a triple award win at the prestigious 2021 Hoseasons Awards. The resort scooped up the ‘Best in Britain Food Award’, the ‘Customer Choice Food Awards – Lodge Escape’ and even ‘Best Lodge Escape Large Park in the Heart of England’.

In a further extension of Rivendale’s commitment to the environment, the resort has been working with the Peak District National Park on the creation of on-site habitats, including a bat house, new ponds and protected areas for great crested newts.

Darwin Escapes has additionally embarked on a sustained initiative at Rivendale to improve grasslands for rich nectar-source pollinators, receiving locally sourced, grassland cuttings packed with native seeds to help kick-start plant diversity in new areas.

Frances Horsford, Peak District National Park Authority ecologist, said: “Here in the Peak District, we have a rich tapestry of habitats that support a lot of wildlife and it’s great to be working alongside Rivendale to provide positive gains for biodiversity through the planning process.

“The site has made a real positive contribution to providing flower rich sites in the White Peak and there’s opportunity to work together providing further areas of nectar rich grasslands here in the future.”

Lindsey Esse, managing director of Darwin Escapes, said: “We are delighted that Rivendale Lodge Retreat has proved so popular in its first year, attracting a wide range of holidaymakers, most of whom hold the environment close to their hearts.

“Darwin Escapes’ continued commitment to the environment, coupled with our fantastic new treehouse accommodation, provides the perfect excuse for guests to return, or for first-timers wishing to embrace a memorable experience in the heart of the Peak District.”

Darwin Escapes currently operates 24 holiday resorts and three golf courses across the UK, offering a mixture of beach, city and countryside breaks as well as holiday home ownership.