Northumberlandia was the big winner at the Land Trust’s 2018 annual awards, picking up the prestigious Site of the Year prize.

Based in Northumberland, ‘The Lady of the North’ was recognised for a year which has seen over 85,000 people visit the site and over 700 children attend school visits.

The Site of the Year award is the latest in a long list of awards won by Northumberlandia since it opened its doors to the general public in 2012.

Over the last 12 months alone the site has also been voted ‘Best Family Day Out’ at the Northumberland Tourism Awards as well as picking up the award for Best Parks Partnership at the Horticulture Week Custodian Awards.

Held in Newcastle, the Land Trust Awards 2018 was attended by many of the rangers and volunteers who look after sites on behalf of the charity.

There were a further 10 awards handed out on the night, which saw recognition in the following categories:

• Ranger of the Year – Andy Hunt


• Volunteer of the Year – Mike Little


• Project of the Year – Knowle Haven


• Best Site or Friends of Group for small Grants – Pleasley Pit


• Most improved space - Braeburn


• Site delivering most Beneficial/Improved Economic Activity - Wellesley Woodlands


• Educational Site of the Year - Elba Park


• Health Site of the Year - Port Sunlight River Park/Countess of Chester Country Park


• Nature Space of the Year - Carr Lodge


• Community Space of the Year – Greenwich Ecology

The Land Trust’s director of Portfolio Management, Alan Carter, said:

“It was a fantastic evening in Newcastle to recognise the success of our sites across the country and pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of so many people, without whom these achievements simply would not be possible.

“It was brilliant to be able to get everyone together to look back on everything that has been achieved over the last 12 months, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities that the Land Trust will face together with all our managing partners and volunteers in the future.”

Before the awards ceremony managing partners, volunteers and Land Trust staff attended a number of workshops throughout the day.

This included a key note discussion from Craig Lister, managing director of The Conservation Volunteers, who presented on the importance of physical and mental well-being and the impact that spending time outdoors can play in tackling these problems.

Alan Carter added:

“Mental health and well-being has never been more current and it was fitting that in Mental Health Awareness Week we were able to discuss this with our managing partners and volunteers and highlight the important role the Land Trust and our sites can play in tackling this huge issue.”