22 May 2024
Being a UNESCO World Heritage site is a great accolade for any visitor destination, but it also brings greater responsibility. This includes how to conserve cultural landscape and its heritage, the very thing people come to the Lake District to see, and how to help people play their part in caring for this special place.
Tourism is not new in the Lakes, with visitors arriving in the late eighteenth century. The landscape appealed to the Picturesque and Romantic movements and has long been celebrated in artworks and writings.
At the same time, the idea of the universal value of scenic landscape was developing. This led directly to the development of a conservation movement and contributed to the global concept of legally protected landscapes.
The area’s ability to inspire a wide variety of visitors with differing cultural values and preferences also inspired two key movements - rambling and climbing. In the late 18th and early 20th centuries, it played a huge role in the development of the sport of British rock climbing.
Today, surveys show that 19 million visitors come to the Lake District each year.
To help prevent the pressures of too many people visiting the same places at the same time, tourism bodies and the National Park work together to attract and disperse people.
Within the 2,362 square kilometres there are
There are also sustainable travel initiatives to help people move around the National Park. A new car-free route opened in 2023 on the west shore of Windermere. The 5.6km long West Windermere Way connects Newby Bridge and the ferry line along the western shore of Lake Windermere. It includes opportunities to discover the heritage of sites like Stott Park Bobbin Mill.
And we're working together with other National Parks to support electric cars and bike hire. More EV charge points are rolling out, including the very first one for the Hawskhead community and Ravenglass. The recharging network has the potential to support local communities as well as to increase travel choices for visitors.
Look out for visitor welcome volunteers at popular locations. These Lake District experts are, for many, the first port of call on arriving in the Lake District and can ensure that visitors can make the most of their time here, providing advice about how to visit kindly. Initiatives such as Lake District Kind visitor campaign and the national Countryside Code educate visitors on how they can help be a responsible visitor.
The National Trust are introducing their visitors to different strands of the Outstanding Universal Values of World Heritage at their attractions and properties. And at Brockhole on Windermere, the Lake District visitor centre, we host events that explore the special characteristics of this World Heritage Site. During our annual archaeology conference, there's further opportunities to take a deep dive into the site's rich archaeology and heritage.
Visitors and locals are welcomed and introduced to the area through information centres and the ever-popular programme of volunteer-led guided walks. They take place from spring until late autumn and provide a unique experience of the World Heritage Site. People leave better informed and confident to explore this cultural haven themselves, deepening their understanding of its Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage status.
Some of the feedback people who have attended the Lake District National Park Volunteer Guided Walks said:
“The Latrigg walk was wonderful and went beyond my expectations. The two leaders, Tony and George were very knowledgeable, and conscientious of keeping everyone safe. Many thanks for another excellent walk!”
“A great walk led by Lorraine and George! They were both very knowledgeable of the area and answered all our questions. Despite the rain, which to me, wasn’t a problem, an overall well worth it guided walk!”
"I attended recently the Castlerigg Stone and Tarns and Ghylls walks. I absolutely loved both walks. Lindsay, Mark, and Chris were welcoming and knowledgeable and they looked after everyone and chatted to all on the walks. I look forward to attending more walks and learning more about the area next time I am in the Lake District."
An exhibition in Keswick explored what it means to be a World Heritage Site, as part of a roadshow. It explored the opportunities and responsibilities that come with being a World Heritage Site and gave everyone an overview of why the area is a World Heritage Site.
Marketing toolkits are also available to deepen people’s understanding of why the area is so special. They are free to use to and encourage businesses across all sectors, from tourism to farming, to tell the unique World Heritage story when marketing their products. Community groups and charities, such as the Lake District Foundation and ACTion with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) provide grants to communities who want to promote the area’s cultural heritage, for instance, through roadshows and interpretation panels.
One of the responsibilities that comes with looking after a World Heritage Site is to ensure new development of buildings doesn’t undermine the very reasons why the area has Outstanding Universal Value. The involvement of experts, plus policy documents help to get the balance right, particularly when it comes to finely based judgements affecting the needs of nature, people, culture, and heritage.
As the planning authority, the Lake District National Park Authority makes decisions on a wide variety of new developments based on a raft of national and local planning guidance The planning process also provides opportunities to include a wide range of views , including statutory consultees and special interest groups such as ICOMOS, which develops best practice in the conservation and management of cultural sites, and has a special role as adviser to the UNESCO.
Tourism in the Lake District should always ensure that visitors leave knowing more about the World Heritage Site’s evolving landscape, which is here for everyone to enjoy, and experience play their part in caring for this special place forever.
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