Overview

The Lake District is loved by millions of people, but a minority of irresponsible visitors can leave a lasting mark on the landscape. Abandoned tents, piles of rubbish, disposable barbecues, fire pits and blocked roads do more than spoil a view. They can harm wildlife and livestock, damage soils, pollute water, increase wildfire risk and make local residents feel unable to enjoy the places they care about.

Friends of the Lake District is campaigning for a more consistent, visible and effective response to these issues across Cumbria. We gather evidence, support community action, press for better prevention and enforcement, and help keep the experiences of residents and responsible visitors at the centre of decision-making.

Our annual litter survey

For the last two years, we have run a short survey to capture people’s experiences of littering, fly-camping, antisocial behaviour and thoughtless parking in the Lake District. The survey helps us understand where problems are happening, whether they are getting better or worse, and whether new measures are making a difference on the ground.

Last year, 785 people responded. The findings showed the scale of concern: 97% had encountered litter, 80% reported wildfires or barbecues and 77% had seen fly-camping. Most respondents were permanent residents of Cumbria, underlining how strongly these issues affect local communities as well as visitors.

Turning evidence into action

We use the evidence gathered through our survey, local monitoring and community reports to campaign for practical improvements to visitor management. That includes more frequent visits to known fly-camping hotspots, clearer information about responsible behaviour, stronger preventive measures and tougher action when people damage the landscape or put others at risk.

We welcome signs that these issues are now being taken more seriously, including new Public Space Protection Orders in parts of the National Park and more visible enforcement activity. But we also believe that short bursts of action are not enough. The Lake District needs a sustained approach throughout the year, especially in known hotspots.

Great Cumbrian Litter Pick

Every year, we coordinate the annual Great Cumbrian Litter Pick, bringing together community groups, volunteers, businesses and partner organisations to remove rubbish from towns, villages, roadsides, lake shores and countryside sites across Cumbria. In 2026, more than 300 volunteers from 34 groups collected over 250 bags of litter in just two days.

The Great Cumbrian Litter Pick shows the power of local action, but it also highlights the need to prevent litter being dropped in the first place. Volunteers should not be left to clear up the consequences of anti-social behaviour. That is why we combine community action with campaigning for stronger prevention, better reporting routes and more effective enforcement.

How you can help

If you live in, work in or visit the Lake District, your experience matters. By taking part in our survey, reporting problems responsibly and supporting community litter-picking efforts, you can help build a clearer picture of what is happening across the National Park and strengthen the case for action.

Together, we can protect the Lake District’s landscapes for people, nature and future generations.