• Sign up
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Shop
  • Accessibility
  • Contact Us
Friends of the Lake District

The only membership organisation dedicated to protecting and enhancing Lake District and Cumbrian landscapes

  • Twitter
Skip over main navigation Menu
  • Who we are
    • Our purpose
    • Our impact
    • Our history
    • Our Land
    • Our people
      • ► Chief Executive
      • ► The Office Team
      • ► Trustees
      • ► Patrons
      • ► President
      • ► Emeritus President
      • ► Corporate Supporters
      • ► Development Trust
    • Work for us
  • What we do
    • Fells
      • ► Projects
      • ► Policy
      • ► Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership
    • Lakes & Tarns
      • ► Projects
      • ► Policy
    • Woodlands, Farms and Green Spaces
      • ► Projects
      • ► Policy
      • ► Property Engagement Officer BLOG
    • Campaign
      • ► Why Landscape Matters
      • ► Southern Boundary Extension
      • ► Dark Skies Cumbria
      • ► Glover Landscape Review
      • ► Climate Change
      • ► Transport
    • Planning
      • ► Planning Policy
      • ► Energy
      • ► Overhead Wires
      • ► Prioritising our Planning Work
      • ► Recent Planning Work
      • ► Writing to the Planning Authority
    • Landscape Grants
      • ► Overview
      • ► Grant Awards in Cumbria
  • Get involved
    • Appeals
      • ► 2020 Planning and Campaigning Appeal
      • ► Climate Change Appeal
      • ► 85th Anniversary Appeal
      • ► Dark Skies Appeal
      • ► Donate
    • Campaigns
      • ► Why Landscape Matters
      • ► Dark Skies
      • ► Glover Landscape Review
    • Events
      • ► Friends Events
      • ► Great Landscapes Week 2019
      • ► Leaders Landscape Training
      • ► Commons Survey
    • Volunteering
      • ► Volunteering
      • ► Work Party Dates
    • Corporate Supporters
    • Gifts in Wills
    • Benefactors Scheme
  • Join
    • Why become a member?
    • Member Benefits
      • Outdoor offers
      • Other discounts
      • 2 for 1 attractions
    • Renewing your membership
    • Types of membership & Join
    • Benefactors
      • ► About Benefactors
      • ► Our Benefactors
    • Corporate membership
      • ► Corporate Membership
      • ► Our Corporate Supporters
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • News
  • Admin
    • Log in
    • Shop
    • Accessibility
    • Contact Us
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. Who we are
  2. Our history

History - timeline

2019 - Westmorland Dales project begins

Expand

We receive Heritage Lottery funding and the go-ahead for 'Westmorland Dales Hidden Landscapes' project. The project covers an area of over 200 sq km, forming part of the newly extended Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The total value of the scheme is estimated at £3.45m, with £2.27m from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and £1.18m match funding in cash and volunteer time. 21 projects will now be delivered over four years by a partnership of organisations to unlock and reveal the hidden heritage of the Westmorland Dales.

Published: 30th December, 2000

Updated: 17th May, 2019

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2018 - Climate change landscape stabilisation research at High Borrowdale

Expand

In extreme weather in winter, landslides continue to occur on the steep sides of the valley of our land at High Borrowdale and so, with the University of Cumbria, we are beginning work to experiment with different geotextiles to stabilise the soil. Read more

Published: 31st December, 2000

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2018 - Dark Skies Cumbria project launched

Expand

Our three year Dark Skies project aiming to secure 'Dark Sky Status' for the Lake District National Park begins.

Published: 31st December, 2000

Updated: 17th May, 2019

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2017 - Thirlmere saved from zip wire development

Expand

Our members and the public wrote over 3,000 letters to the planning authority in opposition to a proposal to put an attraction of eight zip wires across Thirlmere reservoir. We were delighted that this threat was seen off the application withdrawn.

Published: 1st January, 2001

Updated: 17th May, 2019

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2016 – 5,200 native trees planted at High Borrowdale

Expand

Now within the extended Lake District National Park. High Borrowdale suffered numerous landslides during the storms of December 2015. Planted with hardy native tree varieties like alder, ask, oak, rowan, holly, hawthorn and willow to enhance habitats and landscape as well as help stabilise erosion.

Published: 17th January, 2001

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2016 – Flood appeal raises over £62,000

Expand

Our Lake District Landscape Restoration Fund appeal following the devastation caused by Storm Desmond in December 2015 raises over £62,000. The money is spent on repairing flood damage to the landscape. We provided funding and support for seven footpath and footbridge repair projects, including a replacement bridge over the River Rothay at the Badger Bar at Rydal, a replacement bridge at Hoggs Earth, near Watendlath, a replacement bridge at Birks Mill, Sedbergh, and repairs to damaged footpath at White Moss Common, between Rydal and Grasmere.

Published: 18th January, 2001

Updated: 17th May, 2019

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2016 – No pylons in the Lake District

Expand

We instigated a major campaign to stop 24km of 50 metre tall pylons being built within the national park. Our members and the public wrote more than a thousand letters in protest, we generated extensive national press coverage and were delighted that National Grid amended its plan and confirmed that it would put new electricity lines underground through the western section of the Lake District National Park.

Published: 19th January, 2001

Updated: 17th May, 2019

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2016 - Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks Extended

Expand

We celebrated the extension to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national park boundaries on August 1 2016.  Our campaigning work was instrumental in seeing the park extensions agreed and in promoting the importance of national park status for our most treasured landscapes. Read more

Published: 20th January, 2001

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Chris James

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2014/15 - Gillside Wood planted

Expand

Friends of the Lake District plants 6,000 native trees, creating a brand new woodland at Gillside near Grasmere. 

Published: 22nd March, 2015

Updated: 6th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2014 - the Helm woodland planting completed

Expand

Friends of the Lake District plant 1,500 trees at the Helm, near Kendal, to create a new woodland area for local residents and wildlife.

Published: 22nd March, 2015

Updated: 6th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2014 - Leaders Landscape Training begins

Expand

Friends of the Lake District hold five ‘Leaders Landscape Training’ sessions working with 47 outdoor practitioners. The aim of the training helps practitioners deepen their understanding of the variety and importance of Cumbria’s upland ecology and to have a clearer understanding of some of the issues and pressures of outdoor users on our landscape, wildlife, habitats and communities.

Published: 22nd March, 2015

Updated: 6th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2013 - new upland hay meadow planted

Expand

At a time when England has lost 97% of its hay meadows, Friends of the Lake District plant a new hay meadow at High Borrowdale, introducing a wave of beautiful colour into the landscape in summer, and creating an important habitat for many plant and insect species.

Published: 22nd March, 2015

Updated: 6th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2013 - Zip Wire Development, Honister

Expand

Friends of the Lake District successfully challenges a planning application to have a zip wire development at Honister.  

Published: 22nd March, 2015

Updated: 6th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2012 - National park extensions campaign intensifies

Expand

Our long-running campaign to see the 'forgotten landscapes' between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks protected, by including them in the extended national parks, intensifies.

Published: 22nd March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2011 - Fell Care Days start

Expand

Friends of the Lake District hold their very first ‘Fell Care Day’ at Hellvelyn. 168 volunteers come together to learn about the upland environment and carry out practical conservation tasks to help protect it. This becomes a successful project which continues to the present day.  

Published: 22nd March, 2015

Updated: 6th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2009 - Natural England consultation to extend the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks

Expand

Following our campaign, on 16 December 2009 Natural England launched the public consultation on proposals to extend the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.

Published: 24th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2001-07 - £140,000 support for Fix the Fells upland footpath repair

Expand

We support fledgling upland footpath repair project Fix the Fells, with over £140,000 in grants, enabling the project to claim another £280,000 in match funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.  Today we still sit on the steering group for Fix the Fells, and support it though our Landscape Gifts, and with practical volunteer work at Fell Care Days.

Published: 24th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2005 – ‘Cumbria’s Forgotten Landscapes’ published, campaign to extend the parks begins

Expand

‘Cumbria’s Forgotten Landscapes’ - our report of the National Park Boundary Review Project was published, campaigning for extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. The boundaries were finally extended in 2016!

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

2005 - Winash Wind Farm

Expand

Friends of the Lake District successfully campaigned against the development of a new wind farm at Winash.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1993 - Mike's Wood, Staveley planted

Expand

We plant a new native woodland on fields near Staveley to celebrate the work of our lead officer Mike Houston. 25 years later the new Mike's Wood is well established.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1992 - Friends support Haverigg Wind Farm

Expand

Friends support Haverigg wind farm on the site of a disused airfield north of Millowm, outside the national park.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1982 - Our grant restores Dorothy Wordsworth's garden at Dove Cottage

Expand

A Friends of the Lake District grant helps restore Dorothy Wordsworth's old garden at Dove Cottage, Grasmere.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1980 - The first Friends annual dry stone walling competition

Expand

We held our first dry stone walling competition, now held annually each May, to keep alive the traditional skills that maintain our special landscapes.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1980s - Campaigning against raising the water level at Wastwater and Ennerdale

Expand

We successfully campaigned against raising the water level at Wastwater and Ennerdale to provide water for the nuclear power station at Sellafield, which would have permanently damaged the landscape and nature of the lakes.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1977 - The first Friends Annual Hedgelaying Competition

Expand

We established our annual hedging competition, to encourage more people to take up these traditional skills that maintain our beautiful landscapes.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1964 - Growing concern about traffic in the Lake District

Expand

Friends publish a booklet 'Traffic in the Lake District' promoting traffic management as opposed to new roads and wholesale widening and straightening.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1960 - Power boating threat to the lakes

Expand

Power boating on the lakes is a growing threat to the 'scenic beauty, peace and quiet' of the National Park. Friends lobbied for powers to control the use of motor-boats on some lakes.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1956 - Rusland Beeches saved

Expand

In 1956 the Friends take on a 50-year lease to protect the Rusland Beeches from being felled by the Forestry Commission.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1954 - the Yorkshire Dales National Park created

Expand

Friends of the Lake District played a leading role in campaigning for the creation of national parks. The Yorkshire Dales National Park was created in 1954 - parts of the park around Sedbergh are in Cumbria.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1951 - the Lake District National Park is created

Expand

Our campaigning helped lead to the creation of the Lake District National Park, one of the first national parks in the country.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1949 - a conference to lobby for underground power lines in the Lake District

Expand

Friends of the Lake District hosts a conference in which the Lake District planning authorities agree to the principle that all power lines should be placed underground except where there was no harm to the landscape. Our campaigning led to the agreement that means many power lines in national parks and AONBs all over the country are and continue to be put underground.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1943 - Hobcarton Crag, our first environmental grant

Expand

We gave our first major grant to buy Hobcarton Crag, near Grisedale Pike, Whinlatter, and donated it to the National Trust. Today we have supported over 600 projects with grants across Cumbria totalling over £800,000 investment in the landscape.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1940 - Campaigning for a National Park in Cumbria

Expand

All through the 1930s and 40s Friends of the Lake District campaigned to create a national park in Cumbria.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1937 - Lake District Farm Estates formed to protect culture and traditions of hill farming

Expand

Friends formed Lake District Farm Estates to buy hill farms to protect and maintain the culture and traditions of hill farming, eventually owning 17 farms. All the farms were finally given to the National Trust in the 1970s.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1935 - the first major campaign, afforestation

Expand

All through the 30s the Friends campaigned against large scale land acquisitions and planting of acres of commercial spruce in Cumbria by the Forestry Commission.
The first major Forestry Commission purchases in the Lake District were near Whinlatter in 1919 and 5000 acres in Ennerdale in 1925-6. By the end of 1933 the Forestry Commission had planted nearly 1,250,000 larch and over 5,000,000 spruce trees in the Lake District.

Today we work with the Forestry Commission to replace spruce plantations with native trees, creating better habitats for wildlife, protection from erosion, and maintaining the correct ph level of the soil.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

1934 - Friends of the Lake District Founded

Expand

Set up to campaign to create a national park to protect the Lake District landscape for future generations, Friends of the Lake District was launched at a public rally in Fitz Park, Keswick in 1934.

Published: 25th March, 2015

Updated: 19th June, 2019

Author: Sophie Hodge

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Back to top

Showing 10 of 36

Latest

  • Twinkle, twinkle little star!

    Winter is the perfect time to wrap up warm and get out and about to see a Dark Sky spectacular. Like the Three Kings... go and follow the stars!

  • Conserving Lakeland Edition 82

  • Rerouting Expectations Summary

  • Surveying the Traditional Farm Buildings of the Westmorland Dales

    A four year survey will provide a clearer picture of the number, distribution, type and condition of traditional farm buildings throughout the Westmorland Dales

Most read

  • Types of membership and Join

  • 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 yesterday (24th July) 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.

  • Letter Template

  • 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

  • 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.

Latest tweet

  • Peak of the Geminids- year's best meteor shower- is overnight 13/14 Dec. Moon gets in the way this year, washing ou… https://t.co/uvoXZVdiMc

    13thDecember, 2019 @Friendsoflakes
  • Ah, so moody! RT @marksmcneill: @FriendsofLakes the langdales from wrynose pass https://t.co/LtQenlsEA1

    11thDecember, 2019 @Friendsoflakes
  • Twinkle, twinkle little star! Tonight there will be a full or ‘Cold Moon’. The full moon that appears at this time… https://t.co/8iJu60DJ9N

    11thDecember, 2019 @Friendsoflakes
Friends of the Lake District
Murley Moss
Oxenholme Road
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 7SS
01539 720788
[email protected]
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicySite mapAccessibilityComplaints PolicyGift Aid Form
Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Google+ Follow us on InstagramSign up for Newsletters

In a world of fast pace and change and more external pressures than ever before, it is easy to forget that landscape is all around us and supports us. This is why we created our Why Landscape Matters campaign. We are asking people to join with us and remember why our landscapes matter to us, celebrate and enjoy them, and support our work to keep them special.

Registered charity number 1100759