Lancashire’s Hydro Hall Plan

Amanda Parker couldn’t have been more delighted when her family home was awarded three top Lancashire Tourism Awards. And the success has lead on to exciting plans for the historic property.

Browsholme Hall, which has been the family seat of the Parker family since 1507, was named best wedding venue as well as taking the Sustainable Tourism Award and Inclusive Tourism Award at the prestigious ceremony organised by Marketing Lancashire.

When researchers at Lancaster University discovered Amanda Parker’s passion for sustainability, as a result of the Lancashire Tourism Award, they were quick to get in touch. They are now working together on a feasibility study for a possible hydroelectricity scheme.
‘They approached me and asked if we could do something,’ said Amanda, former High Sheriff of Lancashire. ‘They are helping us with research and the study and to see if it could work. We’re looking at using our lakes and putting them to more use.

“It’s amazing that this came out of the awards, I was surprised and really excited by the developments. As a Grade I listed building, we can’t put in double glazing or solar panels so it’s about working with what we have. We know we can’t do everything but it’s about making the most of those things we can do.”

Amanda has spent the past four decades doing up Browsholme Hall turning a “habitable home into a comfortable, cosy, welcoming home”. She is a champion of sustainability and working in a more environmentally conscious way. She has already put in place several initiatives that including sympathetic renovation projects and finding new uses for old buildings. There are also others in the pipeline for 2018 and beyond.

“Browsholme is a fantastic house, I just love it,” said Amanda. “And we have lots of exciting things planned for over the next few years, including some we’re hoping to have news on very soon.

“It feels like a fantastic time for us here at Browsholme. We have such a great team here and there are exciting things ahead.”

Browsholme Hall now has the opportunity to represent Lancashire in the 2018 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.