Representatives from the UK’s 15 national parks societies, government and partner organisations gathered in Kendal in October for the 2023 National Park Societies Annual Conference co-hosted by Friends of the Lake District and Campaign for National Parks.  

The first national parks in the UK were founded in response to a time of great national need following two world wars. The conference offers key policy and decision makers an opportunity to address the vital role that our national parks, as national assets, should play in continuing to support the health and wellbeing of the nation. 

Friends of the Lake District was delighted to welcome the good people of the UK national parks movement to Kendal to discuss topics relating to the landscapes we all love. Key topics on the agenda included politics, policy-making, and how they affect the running of a national park, a debate about the real-world application of the Sandford Principle and a panel session on campaigning, passion, and principle. 

Michael Hill, Chief Executive, Friends of the Lake District said: 

“We must thank everyone who attended this event and contributed the time, ideas, passion and expertise that made this conference such a success, leaving delegates and members of the Friends of the Lake District team feeling challenged, inspired and energised. 

"It is heartening to know that our love of the landscape is one that is shared by so many across the United Kingdom and reassuring that there are so many well informed and hard-working advocates for our protected landscapes. 

“I think it fitting that we leave the last word to delegates who have provided us with such generous feedback following the National Park Societies Annual Conference.”

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Delegate feedback:

“Thanks for the chance to participate in what I thought was an excellent day at the CNP/NPS conference. I found the discussion really interesting and as ever it was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with familiar faces and make new connections. The team from Friends of the Lake District worked incredibly hard and I should be grateful if you pass on my thanks in turn to them.”

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“The day was very inspiring, particularly the campaign speakers in the final session.”

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“Thanks to you and your team. What an outstanding conference! We really enjoyed it. I felt it had such energy and lots of people commented to me as such. I saw a tweet about it being 'radical' so I am pleased about that!”

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“I just wanted to say thank you for putting me forward for the bursary spot! I went in pretty much completely blind to the work of National Park Societies but I found the experience really fascinating and invigorating. I feel like I'll be processing it for a long time.”

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“To see these community groups able to reflect on successful protests, to embrace meaningful changes, to accept their shortcomings and plan to improve on them… it was quite unlike anything I’ve seen from the “official bodies”, the ‘supertanker’ NGOs, charities, Authorities…”

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“Was an excellent day, thank you. Lots of great conversations had. Looking forward to future collaborations.”

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“A huge thank you to you and your terrific team who made us so welcome. Friends of the Lake District is a wonderful organisation, I have seen it grow impressively since the days of Geoffrey Berry (a lovely man).”

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“It was a good day, well spent. If people learn something AND enjoy themselves, you must be doing things right. It was good to meet up with so many people. Also I must say I was hearted by the fact that so many people did take the culture heritage part of the Sandford principles so seriously along with the need to support local people.”