Lake District National Park

Why Do People Visit The Lake District?

The Lake District has 101 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Where Do People Visit Within The Lake District? Twelve million people visit the Lake District each year. Most tourists concentrate in several ‘honeypots’ in the Lake District, such as Ambleside. What attracts so many people to Ambleside? A ‘honeypot’ is an area which attracts many tourists. It normally contains tourist facilities such as cafes, shops and toilets.

Land Ownership in the Lake District

Who Uses The National Parks? Local Residents Ministry of Defence Farmers Industry Water Companies Tourists

Industry/Ministry of Defence/Water Authorities Mining, quarrying and other industrial activities create jobs but tend to ruin the environment. MOD needs remote land for manoeuvres; Water Authorities need uplands for reservoirs.

Ministry of Defence Firearms or ramblers? Ramblers and local residents organised a protest walk today in Scordale against the MOD’s plans to close public rights of way in Scordale and over Warcop, Hilton and Murton Commons. Protestors object to the restriction of access to many miles of footpaths and bridleways in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The MOD, who own this land, plan to use the area for the training of over 5,000 soldiers in live-fire training. Protestors have until April 2001 to lodge their objections. December 2000 Who are the ramblers and the local residents protesting against? Why are the ramblers against these plans?

Farmers Farmers want to protect their land and livestock and increase their revenue. Tourists may leave gates open; they may stray off the footpaths and damage crops; they may stray off paths and cause soil erosion.

Local Residents Ambleside Local residents want to preserve their community services and need access to jobs. Impact of second homes? Tourists can be noisy, drop litter and cause congestion.

‘I live in Grasmere. I find that some tourists can be inconsiderate to the local population. They drop litter and park on grass verges outside my house. I have to travel to Windermere, 17kms away, to do my shopping. In Grasmere, there is only one shop selling basic goods compared to twenty four tourist shops.’ ‘We would like to change the expensive sash windows in our Grasmere home to cheaper and more efficient PVC windows. But we have been told by the council that we live in a ‘Conservation Area’ and we must preserve the outside appearance of our house.’ ‘In Windermere over 15% of houses are second homes or holiday homes not in permanent occupation. This means that in the Winter some of our services close down due to a lack of customers.’ ‘I run a Bed and Breakfast in Ambleside and I am always full in the Summer.’ ‘I love having the Lakes on my doorstep. We often go for walks on a Sunday.’ ‘My son has had to move to Kendal, outside the National Park, because the housing is too expensive here.’ ‘I have a Summer job at ‘Hilltop’ (Beatrix Potter’s house) at Sawrey in the Summer in the National Trust shop.’ What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a National Park?

Tourists Tourists are a diverse group (ramblers; nature lovers; mountain bikers; climbers; bird watchers). They want access to the countryside and facilities for their own activities.

Tourist Pressure In The Lake District Parking in Bowness-on-Windermere What problems do tourists cause?

What Are The Solutions To Tourist Pressure In The Lake District? Speed restrictions on the lakes eg 10mph on Lake Windermere Ban vehicle access Ban second homes Traffic restrictions Park and ride schemes Improve public transport Encourage ‘time share’ holiday homes eg Great Langdale holiday homes Ban powerboats on the lakes Limit car parking Plant trees to screen car parks and industry Choose 3 ‘solutions’ from the above and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these schemes. Repair stone walls and eroded footpaths eg footpath repair at Dollywagon Pike

Why do you think the Lake District National Authority decided to enforce a 10mph limit on Lake Windermere?

Match The Causes And The Consequences. The main footpaths need repairing. Lake District becomes more accessible. Most visitors travel to the Lake District by car. More off-road parking spaces. 15% of houses in the Lake District are second homes. ‘Honeypot’ sites are encouraged by providing more facilities at these locations. ‘Honeypots’ become congested in the Summer. Remote areas receive less visitors. Can you think of any further consequences?

Do We Still Need National Parks? Since 1950, 28% of Britain’s moorland has been lost. The population of the UK will keep rising until 2036. Land in England is being developed at the rate of 11,000 ha each year.

Activity: Recap Why do people visit The Lake District? Who owns them? Who uses them and what conflicts could occur between these people? What problems can tourism cause to the Lake District?