Chair - Dave Felton

Professional background: David’s career has been as a serial entrepreneur in the creative sector. He is currently founder and director of ‘Inspired by Lakeland’, which publishes a range of titles inspired by the wild places of Britain. His most recent titles include The Lake District Sticker Book (winner of a National Trust ethical business award), The Lake District in 101 Maps & Infographics (Lake District Book of the Year, 2020) and the best-selling Forty Farms.

Local background: David moved to Cumbria in 2010 and lives near Keswick. He has been a lover of Lakeland landscapes since boyhood holidays to Wasdale and Eskdale in the 1980s and has been involved with various conservation projects, from dry-stone walling to tree planting. He is producer and co-presenter of Countrystride, the podcast dedicated to the landscapes, people and heritage of Cumbria and the Lake District.

Interests: Walking (he is now on round three of the Wainwrights, and steadying his nerves to attempt Pillar Rock to complete the Birketts!); Landscape conservation; traditional music; local ales; and pizza making.

Latest

Poster Competition

Friends of the Lake District is 90 years old! To celebrate our birthday, we want to develop a vision for Cumbria’s landscapes for the next 90 years and we're asking children and young people to help us by designing a poster to show how they want the landscape to look.
17 April 2024: Clean stones and corners at Mazonwath

It was the first dry day in months for the workparty at Mazonwath, which meant there was plenty of work to be done on the dry stone walls.
Postcard From the Lakes: April 2024

Our Elterwater protest rally made print, TV and radio news headlines. Thanks to everyone who came along. Thank you also to our amazing volunteers, recycling tree tubes at Gillside and Rusland woods, and took part in our Great Cumbrian Litter Pick.
Cumbria & Lakeland Walker Magazine

3-issue subscription to Cumbria and Lakeland Walker magazine for only £1.00

CEO - Michael Hill

Michael is a passionate conservationist with a lifelong love of the Lake District and Cumbrian landscapes. With his strong track record of dynamic leadership in the non-profit sector, he has shown the vision and determination necessary to build an exciting future for the charity.
Trustee: Robert McCracken KC

Professional background: Robert McCracken is a King’s Counsel who specialises in public and planning law. He is a past Chair of the United Kingdom Environmental law Association and Visiting Professor at King’s College, London. He acted for the National Park Authority in promoting the 10 mph speed limit on Windermere at the public inquiry.
Trustee: Fiona Sanders

Professional background: Founder of a consultancy for executive coaching and leadership development with the focus on strategy and strategic implementation. Also obtained both a MA in Human Resource Development and a Fellow of CIPD. Now retired, spending my time supporting not for profit and charities in volunteering capacity usually at board level.
Trustee - Malcolm Boswell

Professional background: Recently retired Director within Acas after a long career working in employment law, HR consultancy and dispute resolution. A wide experience of policy and product development working with external organisations and other Government Departments within the UK and overseas.
Trustee - Tony Vaux

Professional background: Tony Vaux worked for Oxfam for nearly thirty years. He supported community development in India and planned Oxfam's responses to emergencies. He later worked as a adviser to the UK Government and UN agencies on the links between poverty and conflict
Treasurer - Robin Forrest

Professional background: Works as a fund manager focused on emerging markets; previously worked in banking
Trustee - Laura Doan

Professional background: Professor of Cultural History at the University of Manchester, based in the English department.
Co - Vice Chair - Lucy Hetherington

Professional background: television producer & executive, commissioning and delivering numerous documentary and current affairs programmes, mainly for BBC and often international partners
Vice President - John Campbell

A long time connection with the Lake District living locally near Troutbeck, and having had family in Langdale. Supporter of Lakeland Arts Trust and other local bodies.
Emeritus President - Sir Martin Holdgate

A biologist by profession, with a doctorate in insect physiology from Cambridge, he taught for 10 years at Manchester, Durham and Cambridge universities – while undertaking expeditions to the South Atlantic, where he served as Chief Biologist of the British Antarctic Survey.

Volunteering

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

Play your part in protecting the Lake District by becoming a member today.
Our Purpose

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