The Lake District has long been celebrated as one of the UK’s most popular National Parks. It’s the largest in England and was one of the first to be inscribed, back in May 1951. But as of July 2017, the Lake District earned itself a new title: first UK National Park to win heritage status.
The Lake District is a mountainous landscape characterised by undulating valleys and picturesque lakes. It was shaped by the glacial movements of the Ice Age and more than 1,000 years of human activity. This harmonious landscape, made up of gardens, parks, grand houses and wild countryside is an ongoing product of pastoral land-use systems and the combined efforts of the people and nature that call it home.
The Lake District National Park has inspired people for centuries. The Romantic Period saw art and literature influenced by the natural beauty and a new drive to protect important landscapes, not to mention works by the likes of Wordsworth, Coleridge, Ruskin and Beatrice Potter among many more. Having become a National Park it was protected from development for the preservation of its wildlife and history. It’s a really unique area of the UK, offering something for all and receives roughly 18 million tourists per year!
The beauty of the area, the farming, the cultural heritage and its impact on the Romantic movement, along with its ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ have enabled UNESCO to include it in their list of heritage sites, which was a decision made on 9th July 2017 by the World Heritage Committee at the gathering in Kraków.
The Lake District’s contribution to culture, art and literature as well as its stunning landscape and cultural and geological heritage have made it incredibly important to us and for future generations. We’re so proud to have it recognised and protected for the fantastic place that it is.
Come and visit the Lake District for yourself. Braithwaite Court is located close to the town of Keswick and provides you with fantastic access to all the surrounding areas. Find out how to stay here by entering your details at the bottom of the page or clicking on the link below for a free brochure.
Luci Ackers
Luci loves getting out and about for a good cycle ride or easy-going walks in the countryside, and thoroughly enjoyed the time she previously spent working for the National Trust. Her love of writing started from a young age and on rainy days nothing beats curling up in a secret corner with a good book.