| This may come as a surprise to those that still | | | | enjoying one of Britain's most breathtaking areas |
| think of Sheffield as an industrial city but it's | | | | of outstanding natural beauty while doing |
| officially the greenest city in Europe having won | | | | something 'green' at the same time. |
| the Entente Florale competition, the international | | | | So how do you travel to the 'greenest city in |
| horticultural competition which has been running | | | | Europe' to participate in 'green' activity holidays |
| for more than 25 years. Sheffield is home to | | | | without increasing your carbon footprint - the |
| over two million trees - more trees per person | | | | measure of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted |
| than any other city in Europe - as well as over | | | | through the combustion of fossil fuels? Travel |
| 170 woodlands, 78 public parks and 10 public | | | | organisations dispense advice on how to offset |
| gardens. In total, 61 per cent of Sheffield consists | | | | your carbon footprint if you're planning to travel |
| of green space. | | | | by aeroplane. Nevertheless, many are sceptical |
| What's more, Sheffield is the only English city | | | | whether these schemes actually work, so it might |
| which includes a national park within its boundary; | | | | be best to avoid flying altogether until Richard |
| a third of Sheffield covers the Peak District | | | | Branson's bio-fuel research is completed. |
| National Park which was designated a national park | | | | Travelling by coach is an altogether more 'green' |
| in 1951, making it the first in the British Isles. | | | | option when it comes to travelling within the UK - |
| Located in the park are some of Britain's finest | | | | you'll avoid the environmental cost of flying and |
| stately homes, including Chatsworth House, | | | | even reduce the fossil fuels you would have |
| Haddon Hall and Lyme Park, which acted as | | | | consumed by driving to the city. What's more, |
| Pemberley in the 1995 BBC television adaptation | | | | travelling by coach also allows you to avoid |
| of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. | | | | laborious check-in queues at airports, and let's you |
| While the Peak District is one of the most | | | | skip the hassle of dealing with the overcrowded - |
| stunning natural sights in Britain, conservation is an | | | | and often late - British rail network. |
| issue for both residents and tourists with | | | | So remember, choose coach travel when taking |
| problems such as footpath erosion and large-scale | | | | your next holiday to Sheffield and limit your |
| limestone quarrying. Conservation holidays are | | | | carbon footprint at the same time! |
| becoming increasingly popular with participants | | | | |