Our Impact

1934: Friends of the Lake District is set up to campaign for the creation of national parks

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1930s onwards: Working hard for our native woodlands

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1949: Overhead power lines in national parks are placed underground

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1951: Lake District National Park created

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1980s: Wasdale and Ennerdale saved from damming to provide water for Sellafield

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2011 onwards: Educating and involving people in caring for our landscapes

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2014: Over £1 Million invested in the environment in Cumbria

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2016: The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks are extended

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Latest

Night, Light - A Poem by John Scrivens

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.
The Great Freeze of 1962-3

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.
"It isn’t just the rock under my feet, the people link it together"

Colin Hutchison remembers a trip from Kendal to Buttermere to Ings just before Christmas and has a lockdown message for everyone.
A problem we can tackle right now

Light pollution threatens both our star-filled skies and the wildlife living beneath them. Help us stop it spreading across the Lakes.

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Join Today

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

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

We consider this to be a wholly inappropriate development in this location. We urge you to take immediate action, write to the Planning Authority and share your concerns about this threat to Thirlmere
Shop

Welcome to our shop. View all the latest products from our charity.
Chief Executive - Douglas Chalmers

Douglas Chalmers joined us in April 2015. He grew up on his family’s farm on the North East coast of Aberdeenshire, and studied agriculture at the University of Aberdeen.
Our Purpose

Protecting the landscapes of Cumbria for future generations
Why become a member?

Love the Lake District? Become a member of Friends of the Lake District and join thousands of like minded people in caring for this unique landscape.
2017 Photography Competition

We're looking for images from around Cumbria to use on our 2017 Friends of the Lake District Christmas Card collection and 2018 Calendar. Closing Date 16th June 2017