The Blog

New Perspectives film features Lake District National Park

12 April 2023

Staff Blogger

The charity, Campaign for National Park launched its New Perspectives Bursary scheme back in 2021. Aimed at 18-35 year-olds with a story to tell about National Parks in England and Wales. The scheme provided funding, support and training to make a diverse range of voices heard.

The Lake District takes centre stage

Charlotte Ditchburn was one of the young people lucky enough to secure a place on this prestigious project. She is an access advocate who grew up on the outskirts of the Lake District and, through film, wanted to spread the word about disabled access in National Parks.

Charlotte’s film takes in the stunning views from some of the Lake District’s 50 Miles without Stiles accessible routes, including Friar’s Crag and Latrigg.

Woman on a hike with two hiking sticks. It's a sunny day, and there are fells in the background

Lake District’s 50 Miles without Stiles accessible routes

Miles without Stiles are walking routes for everyone. They can take you along lake shores and riversides, to tarns and through woods, to historic remains, and to fell summits with amazing views.

As well as not having any stiles to climb up and over, they are more accessible routes suitable for people with limited mobility. This includes wheelchair users, families with pushchairs, the visually impaired, and anyone who wants an easier walk with no scrambling, climbing or steep hills.

Debbie North gives her expert opinion

Charlotte enlisted the help of Debbie North, an acclaimed access consultant and motivational speaker. A wheelchair user herself, Debbie has been campaigning tirelessly to promote accessibility in all of the UK’s National Parks. She says:

“The Lake District has done an awful lot to promote accessibility through the 50 Miles without Stiles which open up fantastic views. It is a wonderful place to visit and a lot has already been done.

“Lake District Mobility has hubs throughout the Lake District where you can hire various wheelchairs to help you explore further.”

"We should be able to roam freely throughout the Parks. Everyone should be able to experience these wonderful places."

Charlotte’s believes that access should be for all; the focus should not merely be access for those on foot but should encompass all types of access within the Parks.

“It shouldn’t be about looking to hard surface routes throughout these amazing landscapes, but it should be looking to create access through improvements to make the ways easier, safer, or more enjoyable for users, enhancing their suitability for use.”

“From cycling and horse riding to paddle boarding and kayaking, these activities can provide access to the green and blue spaces of the Parks for everyone no matter their background or ability, these spaces should not be off limits or at a cost to those accessing them, especially in the National Parks.”

To improve access, Charlotte has some simple suggestions:

Focusing efforts on increasing access rights
Improving the physical infrastructure on the ground

Similarly, Campaign or National Parks is calling for the governments in England and Wales to commit to:

New legislation to prioritise equitable access alongside nature recovery across National Parks
Enhanced sustained and long-term payments for farmers to deliver inclusive public access alongside nature recovery at a landscape scale

View Charlotte's video below.