Now there’s even more of the Lake District to enjoy!

Published on: 28 Jul 2016

From today (1 August 2016), visitors will be able to enjoy even more of the Lake District National Park, as its boundary grows by three per cent – that’s an extra 27 square miles.

The new Lake District includes an area from Birkbeck Fells Common to Whinfell Common to the east and an area from Helsington Barrows to Sizergh Fell, an area north of Sizergh Castle and part of the Lyth Valley to the south.

The Yorkshire Dales has also got bigger – by almost a quarter (24 per cent), taking the west of the park up to the Orton Fells, meaning the M6 motorway is now the only dividing line between the two national parks.

To celebrate, communities in the new Lake District National Park have been invited to enjoy an afternoon of free activities in the extension areas based at and around Sizergh Castle. Partner organisations the National Trust, Cumbria County Council, British Cycling and Friends of the Lake District are offering bike rides with Sky Ride Local, garden tours, guided walks and an invitation to see the first glimpse of the new national park at dawn.

Chief Executive of the Lake District National Park, Richard Leafe, said: “Many people have campaigned for this extension for a long period of time, so this is an historic day for the Lake District National Park and one that deserves celebration. This extension represents unfinished business for the park and the new boundary line will be more fitting, following the natural landscape.

“This extension was largely supported by the communities, showing that there continues to be a high level of support and recognition for the good work that is done in national parks. We’re looking forward to maintaining and improving the environment in these new areas, particularly the rights of ways, creating even more of the Lake District for people to enjoy.”

Find out more about the new Lake District areas in the short video:

Mike Innerdale, Assistant Director, at the National Trust Lake District, added:

“The extension of the park boundary ensures that this cherished landscape, including historic Sizergh and its estate are now further safeguarded for future generations to enjoy. As a conservation charity looking after a fifth of the land in the Lake District National Park and opening up lots of special places for everyone, this is a key milestone for the Lakes and the millions of visitors that come every year”

Extension facts:

  • In 2012 Natural England made two variation orders to extend the Lake District National Park by 3% and the Yorkshire Dales by 24%.
  • A public enquiry was held in 2013, resulting in a strong public support for the extended boundary. The Secretary of State, Liz Truss, approved the variations in October 2015.
  • The boundaries were initially set when the Lake District National Park was designated in 1951. At that time, the boundaries were set to follow local political administrative boundaries, rather than the more natural geography of the landscape.
  • Unlike the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District National Park has not appointed any additional Members. The LDNP has 20 Members that represent the public interest and are appointed by Cumbria County Council, district councils, parish councils and the Secretary of State.
  • East: Suzy Hankin is the LDNP Area Ranger in the east of the park. Suzy will be out and about in the newly extended area including Birkbeck Fells Common, Bretherdale and Borrowdale.
  • South: Graham Standring is the LDNP Area Ranger in the central and south east of the park. Graham will be looking after the area including Helsington Barrows to Sizergh Fell, an area north of Sizergh Castle and part of the Lyth Valley including the small new addition of land north of Sizergh Castle. The central and south east area will also include parts of Whinfell and Grayrigg.
  • The Lake District National Park remains England’s largest national park. Cairngorms National Park in Scotland is the largest in the UK.

Find out more about the extension areas: www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/bigger

Share this page