The Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme is holding a free exhibition in Appleby Tourist Information Centre from Tuesday 20^th June to Saturday 16th September 2023. It is in celebration of the ‘Common Land’ of the Westmorland Dales; an intrinsic part of its farming heritage and underpinning the farming economy for centuries. 

Common Land is privately owned land that also has ‘Rights of Common’ over that land, often for the grazing of animals. At one time nearly half of the land in Britain was Common Land, but it now accounts for 3% of England, including large tracts of upland in the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. 

The exhibition summarises the results of research into the history of Common Land across the Westmorland Dales using oral history interviews undertaken with commoners and representatives of the farming community. Visitors will have the opportunity to listen to some of these interviews and learn more about our changing relationship with Common Land in the Westmorland Dales. 

Hannah Kingsbury, Cultural Heritage Officer at the Westmorland Dales Scheme said: 

“The history of the Westmorland Commons is closely linked to the evolution of grazing animals, the rise and fall of specialised breeding stock, and the labour of tenant farmers working the common for hundreds of years. 

“We’re really excited to be able to share our own research about the rich and fascinating history of our Commons as well as providing the opportunity for people to listen to the voices of commoners and the farming communities that have helped to shape it.” 

More information and exhibition opening times>

View/Download Exhibition Poster (pdf)