Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership

The Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme ran from March 2019 to February 2024. Its vision was to unlock and reveal the hidden heritage of the Westmorland Dales, enabling more people to connect with, enjoy and benefit from this inspirational landscape.

Download the Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme Summary Report for an overview of the Scheme's successes.

Welcome …

… to the Westmorland Dales website.

The Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme aimed to unlock and reveal the hidden heritage of the Westmorland Dales, enabling more people to connect with, enjoy and benefit from this inspirational landscape. Specifically, its objectives were to:

Reveal the area’s hidden heritage.
Conserve what makes the area special.
Engage people in enjoying and benefitting from their heritage.
Sustain the benefits of the scheme in the long-term.

This was achieved through a programme of projects developed and delivered through the Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership, led by Friends of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, and mainly funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It ran over a five-year period from March 2019 to February 2024.

Here you can discover what makes the area so special, find out about the scheme’s projects, and view and download resources produced.

The Westmorland Dales

The Westmorland Dales is a beautiful area of Cumbria lying north of the Howgill Fells and within the north-west corner of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It stretches from Tebay in the south-west to Kirkby Stephen in the east and to Maulds Meaburn in the north-west. At its heart are the limestone fells above Orton and Asby, rich in natural and cultural heritage, and with magnificent views to the Pennines, the Howgills and the Lakeland fells. It drains into the Lune river catchment to the south and the Eden river catchment to the north. Relatively overlooked compared with its better-known neighbours, our projects have aimed to reveal its heritage for more to enjoy without detracting from its unique qualities. (Click on map for larger image)

Contact information

Friends of the Lake District

Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 7SS

Main Telephone: 01539 720788

Email: [email protected]

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Yoredale, Bainbridge, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 3EL

Main Telephone: 01969 652300

Email: [email protected]

1.5 Sustaining Farming in the Westmorland Dales

The Farmer Network worked to improve the knowledge, skills and capacity of local farmers through workshops, training and testing, and skills development for young farmers; and to promote understanding of farming in the wider public through events.

Project Lead: Carol Moffat, The Farmer Network (FN).

Most land within the Westmorland Dales is privately owned and farmed in one way or another, including the extensive commons. Farming is, therefore, central to understanding the area's heritage, the future of the landscape, and the health of the local communities and economy.

The Farmer Network was ideally placed to lead this project which included:

Wide-ranging support for farmers, including training and testing vouchers and 14 training/knowledge transfer workshops held on local farms.
Support for two young people in development/trainee posts.
Six public engagement events and activities, including attendance at Westmorland Dales Day and events at Bowderdale, Raisgill Hall and Easegill Head farms.

More information about this project is available on The Farmer Network website.

Latest

Lake District 2051: What will the National Park be like when it's 100?

What and who is our National Park for? 27 years from now, will our children be proud of the Lake District landscape we have shaped?
Keswick Star Gazing Night

Join fantastic astronomers from the Cockermouth Astronomical Society. We’ll have telescopes set up, but do bring your own, binoculars and phones with tripods.
16 Sept 2024: dry stone walling and the nature detectives

This week Jan and our volunteers have not only been doing yet more dry stone walling at Mazonwath, but have also been on the trail of mammals in Mike's Wood.
AGM 2024

Our 90th Anniversary Celebrations & Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Friends of the Lake District took place in Keswick, the birthplace of our charity 90 years ago.

1.1 Revealing the Foundations

The project led by Cumbria GeoConservation involved the designation of new local geological sites and the review of existing sites; their interpretation through a range of factsheets, leaflets, panels, websites and a book; and their enjoyment through walks, talks and other events.
1.2 Conserving Species-Rich Grasslands

Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s project focussed on the survey of existing sites; the restoration of suitable sites working with farmers, contractors and volunteers; and the engagement of people through training, events, new leaflets and films.
1.3 Reconnecting Woods, Trees and People

The Woodland Trust worked with farmers, landowners and local tree groups to plant new woodlands: create new and restore old hedgerows; and to plant individual trees.
1.4 Changing the Course, Slowing the Flow

Eden Rivers Trust’s project focussed on the Lyvennet, Scandal Beck and their tributaries, restoring river channels, improving habitats and introducing new natural flood management features, with major projects at Crake Trees and Bowber Head.
1.6 Riverine Species Monitoring

Lune Rivers Trust undertook surveys in the tributaries of the upper Lune for salmon, trout, sea trout and other river species, including native crayfish to understand the prevalence of key species in the area.

Volunteering

Learn new skills and join our army of volunteers helping us to make a practical difference to the Lake District all year round.
Our Purpose

We are an independent charity and the only membership organisation dedicated to protecting and enhancing Cumbria's landscapes for future generations
Join Today

Play your part in protecting the Lake District by becoming a member today.
Elterwater Quarry Adventure Attraction plans resubmitted

Just before Christmas, revised proposals were submitted for a visitor attraction at Elterwater Quarry. We have reviewed the plans, we remain opposed to the scheme, and you can read our formal response here.
The Helm

Situated near Oxenholme, just south east of Kendal, and although not a very high hill at 185m, it gives beautiful views of Morecambe Bay and over Kendal to the Lake District fells. Fell ponies and cattle help us with conservation grazing at the Helm.
It's Time To Save Roanhead - Response Guidance

A NEW planning application has been submitted for the major resort development proposed at Roanhead. It will still have a huge impact on this sensitive coastline, even with a reduced number of lodges. Please join us again to challenge the proposal. Previous responses won't count and new responses need to reflect latest plans.
Why become a member?

Love the Lake District? Become a member of Friends of the Lake District and join thousands of people enjoying and protecting it.
Aerial Flight at Honister Slate Mine

We received the disappointing news that the Secretary of State will not ‘call in’ the proposed zip-wires at Honister and so the Authority’s approval stands. The Secretary of State is no longer required to give reasons for his decision.
What are the disadvantages of being in a National Park?
High Borrowdale

High Borrowdale is situated 8.5 miles north of Kendal, where we've planted trees, hedges and created new upland hay meadows. The best way to access it is from the A6, south of Shap. There is open access at all times and if you can't physically visit it, why not take a virtual tour?