The National Trust in the Lake District

The National Trust has been looking after the Lake District for 120 years, preserving its unique heritage, iconic landscapes and open spaces for everyone to enjoy, forever.

We’re proud to care for over 20 per cent of the Lake District National Park, including 100 mountains, 24 lakes and tarns, rivers, valleys, woodlands, coast, footpaths and its precious habitats; helping nature and people thrive.

We also look after the homes and places that inspired the people who helped protect and preserve the much-loved landscapes, traditions and culture of the Lake District. From William Wordsworth’s childhood home Wordsworth House and Garden in Cockermouth to Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top home in Near Sawrey, each year we welcome visitors from all over the world and help share the stories of the people who have shaped the Lakes.

Thanks to our members, supporters, tenants and volunteers, we’re able to look after England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike, its deepest lake, Wastwater and some of the most iconic beauty spots in the Lake District, such as Ashness Bridge, Tarn Hows and Friar’s Crag.

Plan Your Lake District Visit

The Trust has some of the best located car parks in the Lakes, all of which are free to members. Great Wood and Kettlewell cap parks in Borrowdale are a stone’s throw away from getting your toes wet and soaking in the jaw dropping views of some of the Lakes’ highest mountains from the shores of Derwent Water, while Stickle Ghyll and Elterwater car parks in Langdale are the perfect starting point for a day hiking in the Langdale fells or enjoying a bike ride through the valley. You can check how busy our car parks are using the Safer Lakes tool.

Every time you visit, park, buy, join or donate to the National Trust, you’re helping us to look after the places you love in Cumbria. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

For your enjoyment, we have a pre-booking system in place for some of our places. Please visit nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district to plan your visit and to book.

To find out more about becoming a National Trust member and enjoying free entry to most of our places visit nationaltrust.org.uk/join-us.

The History of the National Trust in the Lake District

The Lake District was home to one of the three founders of the National Trust, Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley. His belief in preserving the natural and cultural landscape of the Lakes for the benefit of people is still at the heart of our work today.

Farming and the National Trust

As well writing many of her most famous tales here, Beatrix Potter was a prominent member of the farming community and passionate about preserving the Lakeland way of life. An early supporter of the National Trust, when she died in 1943 she left 15 farms and 4000 acres of land and countryside to the Trust.

Today we care for over 90 farms in the Lake District, and as much as 70 per cent of the world’s Herdwick sheep. We couldn’t do this without our tenant farmers, who manage the land and produce food in a sustainable, nature-friendly way for the people and wildlife who depend on it. No one is better placed to care for the landscapes, improve the natural environment and maintain Lakeland traditions than the hill farmers who have helped shaped this special corner of the world for generations.

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