The view up Hardknott from Hows Wood platform. A lovely landscape.

News & Stories

Discover latest updates, stories and statements

From campaign updates and project news to longer reads from the people and places that make Cumbria special.

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Friends of the Lake District brand mark

Our new website

The website as you see it now is just the start. Much of our previous content is temporarily...

A view of the village of Hawkshead

Fairer housing campaign launch

We're seeking stronger controls on the conversion of residential homes to holiday use with our Fairer Housing, Stronger...

A view of chapel stile in the Lake District

Fairer housing campaign petition

We're calling on the Government to help reduce the amount of empty and under-used homes, and increase the...

Two cheeky Herdwick sheep

Mud, Maud and Mabel

an has some cheeky visitors to her garden while there's a muddy volunteer day at Mazonwath. Plus the...

Gateway Church Litter Pick Group photo

Great Cumbrian Litter Pick 2026

We're hoping lots of people across the county will help us with an annual spring clean on Friday...

Volunteers in a wood carrying fence posts

The holly, the digger and the hedgehog hope

This week we have been in our beautiful woods in the Rusland Valley, trying to make these woods...

After clearing the gorse

Diggers, planting and exposure climbing…

Work begins on the new bridge at Dam Mire Wood, and volunteers go climbing up the crag to...

All the hedging comp winners 2026

Annual Hedge Laying Results 2026

Results of this year's hedge laying competition which took place on Saturday 21 February at Gowbarrow Hall Farm,...

Volunteers dry stone walling at Mazonwath

The daisy, the tree and the corner…

Work begins on the new bridge at Dam Mire Wood, and volunteers go climbing up the crag to...

A photo of Ambleside in beautiful light

What shape should a Cumbrian visitor levy take?

Last November, the government announced that mayors, including the mayor for Cumbria to be elected in May 2027,...

Little Langdale Tarn under a blue sky

Protecting Peaceful Places

We commissioned research to measure tranquillity levels across the Lake District. Now we can help protect this special...

Roanhead… Saved!

Friends of the Lake District have joined a coalition of other nature and landscape charities, and the community...