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Friends of the Lake District
The only membership organisation dedicated to protecting
and enhancing Lake District and Cumbrian landscapes
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  • Cumbria's flooding events

    Cumbria's flooding events

    Cumbria's floods in 2015 and 2019 were the worst for 558 years (from sediment analysis on the bed of Bassenthwaite). Read more

  • Flood Resilience Research

    Flood Resilience Research

    Landslides continue to occur on 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

  • Flood Appeal funds replacement bridges and repairs footpaths destroyed by Storm Desmond

    Flood Appeal funds replacement bridges and repairs footpaths destroyed by Storm Desmond

    In recent months, Friends of the Lake District has been working with partners to spend the money where it is most urgently needed. The focus has been on work to repair damaged footpaths and footbridges throughout Cumbria. Read more

  • People Power at Fell Care Day delivers impressive results

    People Power at Fell Care Day delivers impressive results

    123 volunteers were joined by 15 volunteer task leaders and 10 Friends of the Lake District staff to take part in a variety of practical conservation tasks on Wednesday 6th July to help heal and restore landscapes ravaged by the winter storms. Read more

  • Cumbria's flooding events
  • Flood Resilience Research
  • Flood Appeal funds replacement bridges and repairs footpaths destroyed by Storm Desmond
  • People Power at Fell Care Day delivers impressive results
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  1. Home
  2. Five Years Since Storm Desmond

Five Years Since Storm Desmond

On 5 December 2015 the most destructive storm ever recorded in Cumbria struck, washing away numerous bridges, and even roads, devastating towns and villages and flooding 50,000 homes in Cumbria (see our Rising film for the story of Storm Desmond in Glenridding). Following that devastating day, we launched our Cumbria Flood appeal, to raise money to help the restoration operation. We've rounded up some of the news and events following the storm, the projects we've helped to fund and activities we've organised; all designed to help with the recovery and to improve resilience for future events. 

Cumbria's flooding events

Cumbria's flooding events

Cumbria's floods in 2015 and 2019 were the worst for 558 years (from sediment analysis on the bed of Bassenthwaite). Read more

Published: 1st April, 2020

Updated: 16th December, 2020

Author: Dawn Groundsell

1.4 Changing the Course, Slowing the Flow

1.4 Changing the Course, Slowing the Flow

Restoration of reaches of Scandal Beck and River Lyvennet, for the benefit of people and wildlife. Working with and through natural processes to improve habitats and slow the flow of water in the upper catchment alleviating, flood risk downstream in more populous areas. Read more

Published: 14th July, 2019

Updated: 4th December, 2020

Author: Chris James

Flood Resilience Research

Flood Resilience Research

Landslides continue to occur on 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: 29th January, 2018

Updated: 10th March, 2021

Author: Chris James

Flood Appeal funds replacement bridges and repairs footpaths destroyed by Storm Desmond

Flood Appeal funds replacement bridges and repairs footpaths destroyed by Storm Desmond

In recent months, Friends of the Lake District has been working with partners to spend the money where it is most urgently needed. The focus has been on work to repair damaged footpaths and footbridges throughout Cumbria. Read more

Published: 16th November, 2016

Updated: 4th December, 2020

Author: Dawn Groundsell

People Power at Fell Care Day delivers impressive results

People Power at Fell Care Day delivers impressive results

123 volunteers were joined by 15 volunteer task leaders and 10 Friends of the Lake District staff to take part in a variety of practical conservation tasks on Wednesday 6th July to help heal and restore landscapes ravaged by the winter storms. Read more

Published: 12th July, 2016

Updated: 4th December, 2020

Author: Chris James

Putting the floods into context

Putting the floods into context

Content of the article that featured in our Conserving Lakeland Spring/Summer members magazine, written by our Policy Officer, Kate Willshaw. Read more

Published: 13th May, 2016

Updated: 4th December, 2020

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Conservation Day boost to Keswick Mountain Festival

Conservation Day boost to Keswick Mountain Festival

The flood damaged landscapes around Keswick are set to receive some TLC at the Keswick Mountain Festival on Saturday 21st May thanks to our first mass-volunteering Fell Care Day being held as part of the Festival. Read more

Published: 15th April, 2016

Updated: 4th December, 2020

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Rising Film

Rising Film

The impact of flooding events on a Lakeland community in Glenridding and Patterdale and what, in their own words, the possible solutions may be for the future. Read more

Published: 1st February, 2010

Updated: 8th December, 2020

Author: Chris James

2016 – Flood appeal raises over £62,000

2016 – Flood appeal raises over £62,000

Our Lake District Landscape Restoration Fund appeal following the devastation caused by Storm Desmond in December 2015 raises over £62,000. Read more

Published: 18th January, 2001

Updated: 12th May, 2021

Author: Dawn Groundsell

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Showing 10 of 9

Latest

  • Sound Mosaic

    Sound Mosaic

    Sit back, close your eyes, slow down and experience a sound tour of the Westmorland Dales through this mosaic of sounds recorded at various locations by sound artist, Dan Fox. A mysterious and evocative medley of traditional music, local voices and sounds of the countryside.

  • Friday 1st July: Can we Achieve a Win-Win?

    Friday 1st July: Can we Achieve a Win-Win?

    There are some really hard decisions to be made by all of us. Can we help nature and yet also retain the traditional characteristics of common land?

  • Westmorland Dales Summer Newsletter 2022

    Westmorland Dales Summer Newsletter 2022

    Welcome to the summer newsletter of the Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme, in what promises to be a defining year for us. Despite some ongoing challenges with Covid and the weather, there really is an enormous amount happening at the moment as we catch up on things that have been delayed.

  • Commercial dog walking on the Helm east, Oxenholme

    Commercial dog walking on the Helm east, Oxenholme

    As a landscape charity, we have always worked to secure a landscape that is accessible and available for everybody to enjoy. Unfortunately, this illegal use of our land has become untenable and its impact unfair on legitimate users, wildlife and the Fell Ponies and cattle that graze the Helm.

Most read

  • Join Today

    Join Today

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

  • Volunteering

    Volunteering

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

  • Our Purpose

    Our Purpose

    We are an independent charity and the only membership organisation dedicated to protecting and enhancing Cumbria's landscapes for future generations

  • Aerial Flight at Honister Slate Mine

    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

    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

  • Why become a member?

    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.

  • The Helm

    The Helm

    Situated near Oxenholme, just south east of Kendal, and although not a very high hill at 185m, it gives beautiful views.

  • Chief Executive - Douglas Chalmers

    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.

  • High Borrowdale

    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.

Latest tweet

  • Photo competition: last call for entries! Our photo comp closes this Thursday. Have any fabulous photos of the Lake… https://t.co/NySOZSWEMU

    5thJuly, 2022 @Friendsoflakes
  • Elterwater Plans Reignite Theme Park Fears - https://t.co/AZsUb5pPnT https://t.co/xRETxlurLs

    1stJuly, 2022 @Friendsoflakes
  • Elterwater Plans Reignite Theme Park Fears - https://t.co/zZHmDsTS4t https://t.co/OApOlz6m0D

    1stJuly, 2022 @Friendsoflakes


Our aim is to:
Care for the scenic beauty, rich wildlife and historic heritage of our county’s landscapes;
 Ensure Cumbria's landscapes are passed on to future generations in as good or better condition than they are now;
Encourage people to appreciate our special county – everyone has a right to enjoy Cumbria’s magnificent landscapes

Our Charter

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Get in touch

Friends of the Lake District is now operating a mix of home and remote working. Our core office opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm subject to staffing levels. Call 01539 720788 or email [email protected]

Friends of the Lake District
Murley Moss
Oxenholme Road
Kendal
Cumbria 
LA9 7SS

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Registered charity number 1100759