20 October 2021
Doing your bit to help tackle climate change doesn’t need to be frightening. We share five simple tricks that everyone living in or visiting the Lake District can do this autumn to cut their carbon footprint, and there’s even seasonal treats to be had.
As Halloween approaches and the spooky season commences, we are suggesting these simple tricks to be #LakeDistrictKind and help tackle the climate emergency:
These five tricks to reduce your family carbon budget are easy switches to make, and will stand Cumbria and the UK in good stead to reach our carbon reduction targets and will all count towards action for the climate emergency we are facing
With the spotlight firmly on the UK with this month’s COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow, it is more important than ever for each individual who lives in or visits the Lake District to play their part.
We appreciate that people coming to the Lake District may think that it’s easier to arrive by car, but there are other more environmentally friendly options to consider.
Train is a great alternative and can transport visitors from London to the Lake District in less than 3.5 hours. Check Avanti West Coast for train details to get to either Kendal, Oxenhome or Penrith and Trainline for more local services.
Stagecoach offer a regular bus service through the Lakes and if you are brave enough you can still embrace the open top buses throughout autumn.
There’s also an improved range of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points throughout the Lake District to make electric car travelling more convenient if that's something you'd like to trial.
Or why not travel by boat for an extra special adventure - either by using one of the commercial services on Windermere or Ullswater or hiring a motor boat at Coniston or Brockhole on Windermere to explore by yourself.
Travelling through the Lake District is a huge treat in itself, but using one of the many walking or cycle trails is a special treat for all senses, just to get out and about and enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits being outside in our landscape can bring.
It’s hardly a bind as there’s so much delicious seasonal, local produce, beer and gin to enjoy while in the Lake District but it really does make a difference to enjoy local produce rather than relying on imports.
There’s too many to list but you can enjoy Lake District Herdwick lamb, Cumberland sausage, locally produced beer and gin or you can you can sample Kendal mint cake or Grasmere gingerbread while visiting the Lake District for a taste explosion.
This may seem like a strange request, but if people stray off the paths that our Fix the Fells team work hard to upkeep it can have severe consequences for our villages in the valleys. The fix the Fells team repair 350 paths in the Lake District covering over 400 miles.
Once vegetation is lost through erosion, soil and stone can quickly wash off the hillside. This general loss of habitat and degradation can affect rare mountain plants and animals already at risk. It can also have a harmful impact on the rivers and lakes below.
To know you are playing your part to prevent this and help protect the landscape you love is such a delightful treat.
We have recently installed interpretation panels at Keswick to Threlkeld and Orrest Head but there’s lots to be learned for each and every one of our walks and trails. Why not make it your mission to learn something new for every walk or trip you take in in the Lake District and get to understand what you can do to protect Lake District native species.
It’s beneficial for people’s mental health to continue to learn about the natural world and it’s been proven that just being outside in nature can lower stress levels and elevate mood.
We ask all visitors to please take their litter home with them and to invest in reusable bottles and packaging to cut down on single use plastics.
There are a number of newly installed ‘two minute litter picking station’s at key points throughout the Lake District, which make it fun to get involved in keeping the Lake District beautiful. Learn more about how you can be #LakeDistrictKind while you are here.
