Almost 40 Members attended our 87th (and second via Zoom) AGM on 2 July. Attendance was up on the previous year with the remote format allowing some Members at distance to attend for the first time. Read more
Lesley Williams of Cicerone guidebooks in conversation with Andrew Tait of Friends of the Lake District, discussing her latest book, Walking the Tour of the Lake District. Read more
We're offering you a Summer Series of Guided Walks: 'Blue Spaces and Green Places'. Join us on a walk through the spectacular landscape of the Lake District. A variety of grades, terrains and locations to learn about and explore. BOOK PLACES HERE> Read more
Friends of the Lake District has submitted a formal request to extend the southern boundary of the Lake District National Park to Natural England (NE) for its consideration; Natural England is the government agency with the statutory powers to create a National Park or vary its boundary. Read more
Farms are great
Eleanor Broaders' ode to social media sensation, Kerry Irving, who posts videos of his dog walks in the Lakes every day. Read more
Timelapse footage from 1st June - 23rd June 2021 plus still images Read more
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A Deposit Return Scheme will cut litter, boost recycling and help our countryside. In 2018 the government said it would introduce a Bottle Deposit Return Scheme, but it still hasn't happened. You can help - reply to the consultation now, with this handy guide. Read more
Unsurprisingly, the Lake District is Britain’s most visited National Park.This is a big challenge. Read more
After lockdown in April 2021, Neil heads out for another low-level walk from Ambleside, and pays a visit to the epic Rydal Caves, overlooking Rydal Water in the English Lake District. Read more
Local Plans are prepared by local planning authorities. They identify locations for new development over the coming years and what criteria new development must meet in order to be acceptable. Our guide explains more, including how to have your say. Read more
Enter our annual photo competition! Read more
We were very sad to hear of the death of Lord Frank Judd. Read more
Be a Friend of the Lake District – help C.A.R.E. for it whilst you’re here, and when you’re not. Read more
The children at Grasmere School want to welcome everyone back to the Lake District, and they have some handy tips to help you enjoy your visit. Respect... Protect... Enjoy... Read more
How well do you know British bird calls and songs? In this guess the sound video you will hear 30 different songs/ calls from a variety of different British birds and one or two rare visiting species. Read more
Blogs from our Chief Executive, Douglas Chalmers Read more
Andy Jones remembers a childhood in Caldbeck and the Eden valley and younger days in Mungrisdale. Read more
Join us in letting the Lake District National Park Authority know that we will support them in standing by their local planning policies and their vision for sustainable travel in, to and from the National Park Read more
National Park Inspired Clothing. Read more
The Cumbria Dark Skies Festival: Friday 5th to 21st Feb. A spectacular array of online events celebrating the wonders of the night sky. BOOK HERE Read more
A terror of the dark when I was four Brought crawling creatures all around my bed; I’d lie awake, await the tiger’s tread, Smell spiders crammed behind the wardrobe door. Read more
Judith Wilshaw remembers a time when it was so cold that Windermere froze over so completely that skaters and cyclists traversed the lake and an ice yacht appeared. Read more
Colin Hutchison remembers a trip from Kendal to Buttermere to Ings just before Christmas and has a lockdown message for everyone. Read more
Walkers in the Lake District urged to stick to paths, reducing damage to landscapes and wildlife, as social distancing increases erosion Read more
Even in these dislocated times, when distance from each other is necessary, we can find the most precious and powerful of connections, through the friendliness and kindness of a stranger sharing the wonder of nature. Read more
The natural world can provide comfort at difficult times, as this film about shows. Andy Airey lost his daughter to suicide two years ago. Here he talks movingly about his life on the other side. Read more
What does the United Kingdom really look like? To get a better sense of proportion, let's go on a one hundred second walk across our nation. Each second of the walk reveals 1% of our lands and how they look from above. Are you ready for the UK in 100 Seconds? Read more
Gamelands Stone Circle lies at the foot of Knott Scar in the heart of the Westmorland Dales in Cumbria. Read more
Annual membership for a couple or a family of up to 6 people. Read more
Our thanks to the members who attended our remote AGM on Friday 11th September. It was a smaller AGM than usual, due to COVID-19 restrictions, but we hope to return to a larger face-to-face event in 2021. Read more
The perfect gift for someone who loves the Lake District. Joining Friends of the Lake District entitles members to some great benefits, as well as supporting our campaigning conservation work. Read more
Our Leaders' Landscape Training Sessions are aimed at outdoor practitioners to help deepen their understanding of Cumbria’s landscapes and enable them to pass on their knowledge to those with whom they work. Read more
A poem kindly submitted by Barbara Colley...'We came to Cumbria in 1980, joined Friends of the Lake District and both of us admired all the work you and all the volunteers undertake. Read more
By Will Bond Read more
I'm from Texas, living temporarily in Newcastle upon Tyne, and I had the pleasure of camping out with my son near Lake Windermere. I was inspired by the view in the evening across the lake from Low Wray and I wrote this poem afterwards. Read more
Historic Dalemain house and gardens near Ullswater in the English Lake District. One of the most beautiful stately homes in the North West of England. Read more
The 5 acre garden showcases a range of carefully considered habitats and microclimates. It boasts a number of mature trees including wellingtonia, cut leaf beech and cedar. Read more
William Wordsworth’s family home from 1813 to his death in 1850 at the age of 80. The house is still owned by the Wordsworth family and retains the feel of a lived in family home. Read more