Broadening the appeal of the Lake District

I love the Lake District, in fact one of our AC Christmas Gift to Mr.Gravy and myself is a trip there.

The area is outstanding in its natural state, no more tarmac please. This might sound harsh, but I have to accept that there are things I cannot do and places I cannot go to it is just a fact of life.

People will go where they can afford to and to a place that suits them regardless of ethnicity.

Can you imagine some of the tourist attractions in other countries (mosques, temples etc, UAE Countries) saying "white people in general do not like taking their shoes off, and do not naturally cover their heads and shoulders so we will just change the rules /rituals to make it more inclusive?

Inkcog
Think what you like.
Here's another piece from the article.

"Yet once again the anxious rhetoric feeds into the theme of Ethnic- Minority victimhood, with the implication that, like children, *we people of colour have to be guided by the benevolent hand of the state*"

Oh God, unbelievable....nobody but nobody was suggesting making the Lake District into some sort of Muslim friendly theme park.

Has anybody actually read what was said?

MerylStreep I agree with your post.

inkycog who mentioned a "Muslim friendly theme park" only you.

I was trying to point out that people make choices according to their pocket and their preferences.

This whole thing is The Nanny State going into overdrive.

Lake District expensive, rubbish, you can go camping, self catering or caravaning for very little cash, of course in the peak season hotels charge what they can get. Low season there are always good discounts, that’s exactly like every other tourist resort, if you’re on a budget take a coach trip.

Davidhs exactly

I think Cherrytree has the right idea.

Flatten it out a bit, sort out the rain etc

I would add to that

Move the whole Lake District to somewhere more accessible to all, not just accessible to able-bodied old white people who can presumably get on their bikes.

Perhaps move it to the centre of a city? London, Birmingham, Manchester?
No, not Manchester, that's very wet too.

Some of the comments on here demonstrate perfectly why a lot of work needs to be done to challenge and alter the more entrenched views of some regarding the Lake District and who it's for.

I can't see any entrenched views on here.

Trevor Phillips speaks sense.

I know you can't.

I would add that the Lake District is the most visited out of all the 13 National Parks with about 16 and a half million visitors a year.

One reason to keep away imo.

SirChenjin The Lake District is an area of outstanding natural beauty, it is home to many, it is a place of work for many and is also a holiday destination for those who choose it.

I just cannot see this discussion as having any purpose other than to stir up trouble.

Don't you live in Scotland SirChenjin?

How come the Cairngorms National Park is not popular? Less than 2 million visitors per year in comparison, half of them from Scotland.
Perhaps more should be done to make that Park more accessible to all.

Check it out SirChenjin, posters, including me, have pointed out all the centres and activities that the Lake District National Park has to offer to those who are less advantaged.

So much upset about opening the Lakes up - as I said, it shows that there's a lot to be done to challenge these views.

Yes Callistemon I live in Edinburgh. Did you see my earlier link about the work of the Cairngorm Park?

opening the Lakes up

By golly, we won't be able to move around there before long!

Anyone for the Cairngorms?

I'm sure you'll be just fine.

Did you read my earlier link yet? Is there anything in there that you think could be applied to the Lakes to make them more inclusive?

I wouldn't say that under 2 million visitors a year is exactly rammed when compared to 16.4 million visitors pa.

Is there anything that you feel the Cairngorms and other national parks are doing to improve inclusivity that the Lakes could learn from?

No. Other National Parks are probably just catching up to attract more visitors as their footfall lags behind.

See post of 29 Dec 19 23:04:07
There are more centres.

This is pointless

SirChenjin - I've just skimmed through your link on the previous page, Very detailed, but good that all this work is going on.
I noticed the section on approved paths - those are certainly needed for safety because the Cairngorms, and other parts of the Highlands can be very dangerous places. The weather is so unpredictable, heights and distances more extreme than in the Lakes. We've had some scarey experiences there, though haven't been since 2001.
The Peak District is also a lovely area for walking.

All I can say is that we don't all like the same things, whatever that is!
He may well find that he will end up throwing loads of money at advertising and so on, to try and encourage more people to visit and get nowhere!
Wasn't that long ago that someone was complaining about the fact that because visitor numbers had gone up, that damage was being caused !

Absolutely nothing else that the Lakes could do from that report I posted Callistemon? What bits in particular do you not think would transfer to the Lakes and why?

I agree Fennel - it's a different terrain in many parts obviously, but good they are addressing the issue and attempting to widen the appeal and access.

Yes, a balance has to be struck between encouraging increasing visitor numbers and preserving the beauty of these National Parks for future generations.

They are not theme parks.

I just cannot see this discussion as having any purpose other than to stir up trouble.

Why would an attempt to widen the market for those using a NATIONAL Park stir up trouble GrannyGravy?

I agree about the Peak District Fennel but must admit I am becoming aware that "walking" may not always be a possible mode of transport for me. I would be so sad if I couldn't join in.

Meanwhile, I have to give a shout out for Northumberland where I went for the first time in July. Not so far away but I hadn't been until my family organised a stay and various visits for a big birthday this year. It's beautiful.