Who pays for the Lake District?
New report, commissioned by the Friends of the Lake District, shows how innovative new tourism schemes could better support the National Park
The Lake District National Park is home to some of England’s most impressive landscapes. The largest National Park in England and Wales, it is home to England’s highest mountain – Scafell Pike, and 12 of its largest lakes including the deepest at Wastwater and the longest at Windemere.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lake District has a rich blend of cultural heritage and natural wonders, making it a popular tourist destination for mountain climbing, sightseeing, water sports and hiking.
Did you know? Seathwaite, located in the Lake District National Park, is the wettest inhabited place in England. It receives 3552mm of rainfall each year.
Designation: 09/05/1951
Habitats: Mountains, valleys, lakes, woodland
Common wildlife: Roe deer, birds of prey such as the buzzard, the osprey and the peregrine, waders including redshank, oystercatcher and curlew
Star spots: Red squirrels, badgers, otters
Notable towns and cultural sights: Keswick, The Beatrix Potter Gallery
Notable nature sights: Wastwater, Lake Windemere
Popular activities for visitors: Water sports, boating, hiking, hill climbing, stargazing
Highest peak: Scafell Pike at 978 metres (3210 feet)
Annual visitor numbers: 15.73 million in 2021
Threats: Water pollution, climate change, over tourism
