Broadening the appeal of the Lake District

I wonder if the Romans had latrines on the top at Hardknott Fort?

Bring back the latrines!

The most basic campsite near me, which hasnt added on all the extras to their site that most others have, still charge you BOTH per pitch AND per person. Bringing the cost per night for a family of 5 to £43. There is a 3 night minimum booking: £129. And of course you need to have all the equipment and there's no food included....

That is for a no frills basic site.

Hostels are even worse. I loved staying in hostels as a child and a student. Loved the mix of people and of course it was so cheap!
Looked into it last year for a trip in the UK and they've all become so "niche", the basic family/youth hostel network is gone!

I dont know what the answer is. High volume caravan parks are cheap but dont offer access to a "close to nature" holiday and dont do the area much favours

changing places?


YHA?
I used the extensively in my youth and we have used them as a family since.

Public transport is an issue but so is accomodation.

B&Bs, hostels and camping all used to be cheap, now they are all "boutique"/glamping and more expensive than hotels! and yes, businesses need to stay viable, but on the same note their should be subsidies available like their used to be to help the wider audience that USED to visit these areas, to come back!

It's all become aimed at the higher end.

There isnt a budget option.

The only way to do it cheaply is if you have a bigger group (4 or 5 couples, or 2 or 3 families), then larger holiday rentals become cheap per person. But not everyone has a big bunch of friends who all have the money and time to holiday together

No need to force anyone. The obvious thing to do (and I am 100% sure that it will have been done already) is simply to ask people who don't visit why they don't. Then the National Park Authority could decide whether or not to provide whatever is deemed to be lacking, if they are genuinely serious about widening participation.

We are very regular visitors, and have been since I was a child. There is a wide range of visitor attractions, from things like Go Ape, and other outdoor activity centres, lots of petting farms and so on for children, Lake cruises galore, festivals of various types, poetry-themed events, Beatrix Potter exhibitions etc to ancient monuments such as Castlerigg and Long Meg and her Daughters.

It is not all about hiking and camping, although outside of the various towns things might be less accessible than they might be, because of the geography of the place.

If it is more attractive to older people, that is possibly because teenagers and young adults are harder to please. There is a lot for children, and the active of all ages, but (obviously) no beaches or places for younger adults to meet others of their age. My own children loved going when they were small, and enjoy it now, but were a bit reluctant as teens.

Also, like most holidays in the UK is is expensive, unless you want to camp, which is not for everyone (I can think of nothing worse ). For the same money as a week or two in a hotel, a family could go abroad and have activities tailored to different age groups on-site.

Also, public transport in the Lake District is nowhere near as good as it used to be, which could be off-putting for people without cars (perhaps more likely to be younger?). I remember getting season tickets for buses and trains, and going all over the Lakes with them. They are still available, but many of the routes are no longer serviced, making it impossible to get to some of the less popular (and crowded) towns.

I can't believe that there is a serious ongoing effort being made to attract people, as the obvious thing to do if so would be to sort out the transport. Doing so would also cut down on the (often heavy) traffic on the roads, and make it easier for foreign tourists to holiday there, as well as attract a wider range of people from the UK.

Camping and hostel prices going up and up.

No theyre not! If there are not changing places at regular intervals (where there ARE non changing places public toilets) how exactly do you imagine that they are available to everyone?

The Lake District and all our National parks are available to everyone. Maybe we should have press gangs who gather up people of prescribed colour, creed, gender, ethnicity, age and social position and force them to visit such areas.

Is this 'wokefulness'?

No.

Its quite simple, they can stay as they are. Change nothing. Without the funding

Or take the funding which has a clause saying it must be spent in a way that is acessible to all.

I dont see the problem.

Some more changing places and inner city partnerships arent going to change the face of the place. They're not the types who would add to congestion and antisocial behaviour anyway since they would use mini busses not half empty cars!

Is this 'wokefulness'?

I can no longer climb my mountains, perhaps i should start a campaign for roads to be built so I can go to the top in a car .

Why can’t places of natural beauty be left beautiful.

Well that is ridiculous.
The Lakes in certain areas get extremely crowded, especially during peak holiday times.

People know the National Parks are there, they will visit if they want to.

Many places in the Lakes are 'disabled friendly' and are by law, but places off the beaten track may not be for obvious reasons.

Bradfordlass
Yes it is money driven. They have been told that their funding will be restricted if they don't attract more tourists from ethnic minority groups and disabled people.

It's a joke really, isn't it. Not that long ago 'they' were talking about the very subject you mentioned: if too many people visit the lakes they will ruin the fauna and flora. Then there won't be any more beautiful walks!!!

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I spent many, many happy holidays in the Lake District mainly near Ambleside.

During my growing-up years, we saw it go from a few tourists, walkers, photographers etc., to hoardes of people of all ages, who crammed the shops and cafes and left litter on the fells and in lakes. Played loud music on portable devices and got horribly drunk and puked in the street.

My parents were distressed by this and made the decision not to go again, NOT just because they disliked the crowds but because they perceived that 4 fewer 'boots on the ground' spoiling the beauty would help preserve it.

So if I were to vote, it would be 'keep quiet about it' .

The Lake District is not a secret but the area we love cannot be made more popular without the cans, bottles, plastic bags and other detritus spoiling it.

Not to mentioned the wear and tear on infrastructure, ancient places and footpaths; people climbing over and breaking walls; leaving gates open so stock can wander and other associated ills.

The second photo is from Country Life who lead a campaign to prevent littering in beauty spots.

Is this move towards popularity money-driven?
I can see no benefit other than for local businesses.
Maybe Tesco want to open yet another supermarket?

Actually, now I come to think of it, I'm all for fencing it all off and leaving it to nature.

I think ethnic minorities generally do not make use of the countryside for leisure activities. Isn't there some ongoing controversy with the NT in the Lakes about vehicles using (and damaging) tracks for off road driving - and disturbing peace and quiet. Also the NT had a plan to install a zip wire a while back. From what I've read in the press the NT seems to be ruffling a few feathers in its plans for the Lake District.

What? That did say camping in the rain

Cherrytree59 !!

I used to visit often (camping inmthenraj momb) before we moved further away but have persuaded DH to visit a couple of times since then.

I think, as more people get to know the area, they will want to move there and run a greater variety of businesses inkycog. What was originally street food from any country is usually delicious.

I suppose they consider having halal food and so on available.

Maybe.

That's why I think making the Green Roads better is a good thing MiniMoon. If you get to see the beauty from your car maybe you will get out of it the next time.

I was in Coniston for a few days in September the place was packed.
Granted there weren't many people of ethnic minorities there but neither were there many families as it was term time.
I don't know how they can broaden its appeal, national parks are open to everyone. It depends upon whether you like outdoor pursuits.

What they are doing looks really interesting inkycog. It is lovely but it is a "National" Park and should be attracting a diversity of people. It seems a good idea to me. It does rain a lot mumofmadboys but I do believe I have been over on one or two less rainy days. I just tell myself we wouldn't have the lakes without it.

I have a trip to marked down to Kendal in the summer to visit the sellers of that rabbity hare - Luna. Mine are naked at the moment and need some clothes.

I think they have diversified over the years. Certainly, the hotels seem to have done. As for access, I'm not sure how you justify not giving it to people with disabilities and attracting anyone out of the towns, whatever their ethnicity, has to be a good thing.

I noticed they were improving some of the "Green Roads" so the 4 x 4s and trail bikes could use them. No doubt that won't suit everyone but they pay their taxes too. Everyone who visits regularly and spends money there is obviously entitled to a view but it isn't a museum and shouldn't be treated as such.

It’s beautiful. I live in a National Park, people of all ages visit, pony trekking, canoeing, mounting climbing, fishing, bird watching, canal boats, mountain railway

Did he say what they intend to do to make it more inclusive - whilst balancing that against not making it less inclusive as a result for the many thousands who do use it and enjoy it?

I live in Keswick and love the Lake District. Moved here 5 years ago when we retired. We tend to think it is perfect how it is!! Unless someone can reduce the rainy days!!