Ullswater is one of the most iconic destinations in the Lake District, attracting millions of visitors every year and home to thriving rural communities. Here, over the last 10 years the Ullswater Catchment Partnership, led by the Ullswater Community Interest Company and the National Trust, has been working with landowners and local communities to restore natural processes and habitats that have been impacted by past agricultural intensification and modification.
Over the course of the project to date, numerous farm scale initiatives have been carried out across the catchment with the partnership carrying out restoration across a total area of 843ha. The interventions across the catchment include:
- River restoration over 13.7km
- Pond creation and other water storage totalling 46ha
- Hedgerow creation and restoration and river corridor restoration over 16km
- Wood pasture creation and restoration across 497ha
- Peat and wetland restoration over 249ha
Most recently, in 2024 work to reconnect a 1km stretch of Goldrill Beck with its flood-plain was completed. The work has created a 11 hectare wetland area.
The changes were made by incorporating natural features within the river and flood-plain, including lowering artificial embankments, blocking ditches and creating ponds.
Rebecca Powell, from the National Trust, said the project would improve the “long-term resilience of Ullswater’s rivers, wildlife and communities”.
Read the full story on the the River Restoration Centre website.
Farming, forestry, nature and climate
The Lake District National Park Partnership is working in collaboration with farmers and land managers across the National Park to deliver nature recovery and climate resilience projects while supporting the continuation of farming and forestry and conservation of cultural heritage.
