1st February 2023: Churn Stands, Gate Stoops and Date Stones RECORDING

They focussed on those small-scale heritage features such as churn-stands, gate stoops and date stones which help give our villages a sense of place. The webinar will explore how the features recorded in each village vary, as well as the thematic links that can be made between them.

Duration: approx 30 minutes plus Q&A
Presented by: Rebekah Booth, Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership

Latest

Volunteers thanked at Friends of Lake District Awards

Hard working volunteers for the landscape charity Friends of the Lake District were recognised and rewarded at a special awards event at the Windermere Jetty Museum on Thursday 25 April.
23 April 2024: The Helm, paths to summer adventures

We were joined by a big group of volunteers with clippers, loppers and saws this week for bramble, bracken, and gorse management, to keep paths clear and create fire breaks.
Leaders' Landscape Training: The Westmorland Dales: its natural and cultural heritage

The Westmorland Dales has been described as one of the best preserved prehistoric archaeological landscapes north of Salisbury Plain. The landscape has been hugely influenced by the way people have exploited and managed it for thousands of years. The walk will explore this, attempting to decipher the layers in the landscape.
Leaders' Landscape Training: Understanding Tranquillity

Tranquillity is one of many components that come together to create the overall character of a landscape, and it is something that many visitors to the Lake District and Cumbria come to enjoy but it is often misunderstood or not fully understood even by those tasked with protecting it.

1st March 2023: Digging the Past: Test-pitting in Ravenstonedale Village RECORDING

Martin Railton from Eden Heritage presents the results of a community-based test-pitting project, known as Digging the Past, which was undertaken in 2022 at the village of Ravenstonedale, near Kirkby Stephen.
11th January 2023: Salmon, Trout and Crayfish in the Upper Lune RECORDING

As part of our scheme, the Lune Rivers Trust is running a project monitoring the presence of salmon, trout, white-clawed crayfish and other riverine species in the upper Lune and its tributaries. Tim Pitt from the Lune Rivers Trust talks about the project and its findings.
7th December 2022: A Year in the Life of Halligill RECORDING

Asby resident, local historian and active volunteer Keith Cooper gives a fascinating insight into farming life at Halligill, a farmstead in the parish of Asby, back in 1875. It’s based on the diary of John Brunskill who farmed at Halligill for 30 years but ended up living at Dial House in Great Asby.
1st June 2022:The Prehistory of Shap and the Surrounding Area RECORDING

Recording of a zoom talk exploring the ancient monuments of Shap, noted throughout history. Many have been destroyed, and the few that remain bestow an enduring mystery to the early history of the area.
2nd March 2022: From Avalon to Pendragon RECORDING

Although 300 miles apart, the Somerset Levels and Moors and Westmorland Dales are linked by far more than Arthurian legend. An online talk that explores some of the forces that have shaped our landscape, drawing out surprising connections and marked differences.
6th April 2022: Rural Life in South Lakeland RECORDING

This recording uses materials from the Kendal Oral History Group archive, to explore aspects of rural life in South Lakeland in the early 20th century.
2nd February 2022: The Ice Age in the Westmorland Dales: RECORDING

An insight into the Westmorland Dales under the ice, and the way it has help shape the landscape we see today including the distinctive Shap pink granite erratics.
12th January 2022: The Stainmore Railway and its Viaducts RECORDING

A talk by Mike Thompson, from the Stainmore Railway Company, and Neil Cleeveley, from the Northern Viaduct Trust.
3rd November: Westmorland Carriers: the supermarket delivery vans of their day RECORDING

The village carrier had various roles, not just carrying goods for their customers from town to town. They had to be punctual, trustworthy and at times brave.
1st December: Slowing the Flow RECORDING

An overview of the work being undertaken to slow the flow in the catchments of the Lyvennet and Scandal Beck by Lev Dahl, river restoration manager with Eden Rivers Trust.

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Our Purpose

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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.
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.
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.
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.
What are the disadvantages of being in a National Park?
High Borrowdale

High Borrowdale is situated 8.5 miles north of Kendal. The best way to access it is from the A6, south of Shap. There is open access at all times. Take a VIRTUAL TOUR