Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership

The Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme finished in early 2024 with projects successfully delivered by a wide range of project partners, community groups and individuals. Over the coming months, we’ll be updating this site to highlight what’s been achieved, so please keep checking back.

Welcome …

… to the Westmorland Dales website.

The Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme aimed to unlock and reveal the hidden heritage of the Westmorland Dales, enabling more people to connect with, enjoy and benefit from this inspirational landscape. Specifically, its objectives were to:

Reveal the area’s hidden heritage.
Conserve what makes the area special.
Engage people in enjoying and benefitting from their heritage.
Sustain the benefits of the scheme in the long-term.

This was achieved through a programme of projects developed and delivered through the Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership, led by Friends of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, and mainly funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It ran over a five-year period from March 2019 to February 2024.

Here you can discover what makes the area so special, find out about the scheme’s projects, and view and download resources produced.

The Westmorland Dales

The Westmorland Dales is a beautiful area of Cumbria lying north of the Howgill Fells and within the north-west corner of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It stretches from Tebay in the south-west to Kirkby Stephen in the east and to Maulds Meaburn in the north-west. At its heart are the limestone fells above Orton and Asby, rich in natural and cultural heritage, and with magnificent views to the Pennines, the Howgills and the Lakeland fells. It drains into the Lune river catchment to the south and the Eden river catchment to the north. Relatively overlooked compared with its better-known neighbours, our projects have aimed to reveal its heritage for more to enjoy without detracting from its unique qualities. (Click on map for larger image)

Contact information

Friends of the Lake District

Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 7SS

Main Telephone: 01539 720788

Email: [email protected]

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Yoredale, Bainbridge, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 3EL

Main Telephone: 01969 652300

Email: [email protected]

Appleby Archaeology

Appleby Archaeology was formed in 1998 with the aim of encouraging local interest in practical field archaeology. We meet regularly each month during the winter in Appleby to hear lectures on subjects of general archaeological interest. During the summer we visit local sites.

We produce a quarterly newsletter and provide opportunities for members to meet others involved in local archaeology. Website pages such as our Digital Research and Appleby Registers links provide information specific to the Appleby area. Our upcoming events are also published here.

Our membership includes professional archaeologists and over the years we have surveyed and dug at numerous locations in the Appleby area - in particular on Brackenber Moor which preserves a wide range of prehistoric features. No experience is required in order to become involved in this work as we are able to provide all necessary training

Recently we were fortunate to be awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to involve the Appleby Community in a wide-ranging project to research the early history of the town

Our future research project is currently being planned and volunteers are welcome to join the group via our website or follow our group using the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ApplebyArchaeology/

More information about the group, events and contact information is available via its website>

Back to all volunteering opportunities in the Westmorland Dales>

Latest

Volunteers thanked at Friends of Lake District Awards

Hard working volunteers for the landscape charity Friends of the Lake District were recognised and rewarded at a special awards event at the Windermere Jetty Museum on Thursday 25 April.
23 April 2024: The Helm, paths to summer adventures

We were joined by a big group of volunteers with clippers, loppers and saws this week for bramble, bracken, and gorse management, to keep paths clear and create fire breaks.
Leaders' Landscape Training: The Westmorland Dales: its natural and cultural heritage

The Westmorland Dales has been described as one of the best preserved prehistoric archaeological landscapes north of Salisbury Plain. The landscape has been hugely influenced by the way people have exploited and managed it for thousands of years. The walk will explore this, attempting to decipher the layers in the landscape.
Leaders' Landscape Training: Understanding Tranquillity

Tranquillity is one of many components that come together to create the overall character of a landscape, and it is something that many visitors to the Lake District and Cumbria come to enjoy but it is often misunderstood or not fully understood even by those tasked with protecting it.

Crosby Ravensworth Parish Tree Group (CRPTG)

A formally constituted community group, CRPTG is committed to the restoration and enhancement of trees and hedging within the parish.
Lune Rivers Trust

Lune Rivers Trust is a small environmental charity whose aim is to bring environmental improvements to the streams and rivers in the Lune catchment.
Orton Wildlife and landscape (OWL)

An informal community group hoping to develop volunteering opportunities to include tree and plug planting, surveys and learning about the local environment
Cumbria Wildlife Trust

The Trust stands up for wildlife, creates wildlife havens, and seeks to raise environmental awareness. Our dedicated team of staff rely on the help of our volunteers.
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

Volunteering is a great way to get involved in looking after the National Park. It is also a great way of helping others to understand and enjoy why it is so special!
Friends of the Lake District

Volunteers bring a whole range of different skills and interests to our work and you do not have to be a landscape expert to help; just bring your enthusiasm and we will supply the cake!

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