We are Friends of the Lake District - the only charity wholly dedicated to protecting Cumbria's landscape for the future.

Thinking about doing some conservation volunteering in 2010?
Our dates for volunteer conservation days are now online! See What's On.

Latest News

Honister Zip Wire proposal threatens Fleetwith Pike 
Friday, 30 July 2010 09:04 
The proposal for a 1200 metre zip wire attraction in a wild and remote Lake District valley has been postponed again and is likely to go to the Lake District National Park Authority's planning committee next month, on Wednesday 6 October.
 
New guides available to help care for ‘Our Green Space'
Tuesday, 27 July 2010 11:35
An updated set of free guides to help protect and care for open green spaces, including village greens, verges and informal play areas, is now available.

Drought permit withdrawn, but wasteful water use still threatens Lake District landscape, wildlife and tourism
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Following recent rain United Utilities applications to extract water from Ennerdale and Windermere have now been withdrawn. We would like to see a review of their current Drought Plan, to avoid the need for drought measures and their negative impacts on the landscape in future.

	Go online and Give the Driver a Break Monday, 14 June 2010 Looking for easy days out in the Lakes? Then Give the Driver a Break has great ideas for walks and places to visit.
	Enjoy breathtaking views at the Helm, with help from a new walks leaflet Monday, 19 April 2010 Friends of the Lake District, with Cumbria County Council and Natural England, have produced a walks leaflet to encourage more people to use the Helm near Oxenholme.
	Flora of the Fells Events Festival kicks off - Brochure Out Now Wednesday, 31 March 2010 The Flora of the Fells Festival begins this weekend, this year's festival promises an action packed programme of more than 180 events in the Lake District, Cumbria and the North Pennines.

Farmers and volunteers needed for project to link local produce, farming and the landscape
Wednesday, 02 June 2010 16:11
Friends of the Lake District has secured £140,000 funding for a project to promote the link between farming, food and the landscape.

Lake District National Park Local Development Framework Core Strategy
Tuesday, 04 May 2010 12:29
The Lake District National Park Authority has been developing their Local Development Framework core strategy over the past four years. The core strategy forms a key part of the replacement of the National Park Local Plan, and will be used to guide development in the park over the next decade.

Plans to extend the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks
The deadline for responding to Natural England's public consultation to extend the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks has now closed. This is of major importance to the future of Cumbria's landscape and economy and your support is vital!

Proposed major Greenfield sites for new nuclear power plants
Tuesday, 08 December 2009
Friends of the Lake District is against the development of all three proposed major greenfield sites for new nuclear power plants along the west Cumbrian coastline.

Upcoming Events

Wed 8 September Conservation Day Walling at The Helm, Oxenholme

Tue 14 September An evening with David Bellamy
Talking about ‘hot air and wobbly wind', an entertaining evening with renowned environmentalist Professor David Bellamy. Including buffet meal. The Wolf Room, Eaton Park, Eccleston Chester. From 7pm. £18.50. For more information contact CPRE Cheshire, tel: 01606 835046 (Mon to Fri mornings only).

Wed 22 September Conservation Day Walling at Little Asby Common, near Orton

Thurs 23 September Kirby Lecture, 'New horizons: a future for upland communities'
Find out how future support for hill farmers and rural communities will benefit the Lake District and upland areas in Cumbria. Why not join the afternoon walk at Glencoyne Farm beforehand to see first hand some of the issues being discussed in the lecture. 7pm refreshments. 7.30pm-9pm talk. Venue: Penrith Methodist Church, Wordsworth Street, Penrith. Booking recommended. 01539 720788 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  FREE

Thurs 23 September - Low Carbon Hill Farming in the Shadow of Helvellyn
2 - 4.30pm. A short guided walk around Glencoyne Farm to look at low carbon farming methods. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
Grade/length: Moderate, hilly, 1 mile. Booking required. Flora of the Fells 01539 733187. FREE to FLD Members / Non members £3

Wed 29 September Conservation Day General work party at High Borrowdale, Shap

For more events click here

Click here for Flora of the Fells events Don't forget that Friends of the Lake District members get into all our Flora events FREE (of £5 and under).