About the Authors

Everyone at Cumbria Tourism loves the Lake District, Cumbria and they all enjoy getting out into the county and experiencing the places to see, things to do, experiences, food and drink, attractions, activities and cultural events that Cumbria has on offer.

To coincide with the 50th anniversary of Cumbria Tourism (the organisation behind visitlakedistrict.com) members of the team have been travelling around the county and documenting their experiences as part of our 50 Great Cumbrian Experiences feature.

Here you can meet the people behind the stories and get to know a little bit about them.

Jump to: Amanda MacIntyre  |  Amanda Shaw  |  Beatrice Hooson  |  Ben Melling  |  Gavin West  |  Gill Haigh  |  Heather Sewell  |  Janie Oates  |  Rob Cowley  |  Rob Rhys  |  Sam Marsh

Amanda MacIntyre - Digital Marketing Coordinator at Cumbria Tourism

I live in Carlisle, though I’m actually from the US originally! I love live music and theatre, and frequently can be found at local theatres and performance venues. I also have a beagle, Hugo, who loves coming out on adventures all around the county. I enjoy learning about local history and visiting historic buildings and locations, like Roman ruins, castles and historic houses, and museums.

Favourite Cumbrian Spot: Loweswater, in the Western Lake District.  This lake was where my now-spouse took us on one of our first dates, and it was my very first Lake District walk location!

Amanda Shaw - Project Officer at Cumbria Tourism

I am proud to be Cumbrian born and bred because I love this county. The history is as rich as the landscape is stunning, and I love to visit our many museums to uncover the past. What is particularly special is how much history has survived and it is not preserved in aspic! See, feel and touch it by visiting one of Cumbria’s many heritage attractions.

Favourite Cumbrian Spot: I find narrowing this down impossible because the county is so diverse. You can go from mountain top to beach in a matter of hours. If pushed I would say my favourites are: mountain Great Gable, beach Silecroft, town Kendal (sentimental reasons) and valley Ullswater.

Beatrice Hooson - Senior Finance Executive at Cumbria Tourism

Born and raised just a stones throw from Cumbria Tourism HQ in picturesque Staveley, I’ve always felt that Cumbria provides a very special base to live, work and play. I love nothing more than venturing out for a day in the Lakes with my partner and our rambunctious husky, be it for a walk, run, scramble, paddle or swim. My only non-negotiable is that there is a café or pub involved in some way, and we are spoilt for choice with good eateries dotted around Cumbria! I am a keen winter sports fan, so you’ll find me at my happiest when we get a long spell of cold weather and the fields become ski and sledging slopes and the tarns become ice rinks.

Favourite Cumbrian Spot: For its wilderness, tranquillity and wildlife, it has to be Ennerdale, one of the most remote Cumbrian valleys. From the high sided amphitheatre of mountains at Black Sail, the river Liza winds its way through the forest down to Ennerdale Water. For time away from the hustle and bustle, it is unbeatable.

Ben Melling - Business Development and Support Coordinator at Cumbria Tourism

Cumbrian born and bred and raised in the Ullswater Valley I moved away for a few years but now I’m back and living in Kendal. My weekends are usually spent with my dogs, kayak or mountain bike exploring this wonderful place.

Favourite Cumbrian Spot: Lanty’s Tarn and Keldas. The little-known playground of my youth.

Gavin West - Business Development Assistant at Cumbria Tourism

I moved to Cumbria just over 8 years ago having lived and worked in London most of my life.  If you had said to me in my 20’s I would be living and working in such a beautiful and inspiring place I wouldn’t have believed you.  I love nothing more than getting out on the fells with my trusty Border Terrier Trevor and then having a lovely pub lunch after. I am a foodie through and through and enjoy exploring farmers markets and taking advantage of all the wonderful artisan producers Cumbria has to offer.

Favourite Cumbrian Spot: I love doing a circular walk from Hawkshead to Wray Castle, having lunch at the Castle and then a cheeky ice cream when I arrive back to Hawkshead. Sitting on top of Latterbarrow looking over Lake Windermere is just the best… come rain or shine!

Gill Haigh - Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism

I am the visitor who fell in love with Cumbria at a young age and as an adult turned the dream into a reality by moving to the area and landing the best job in the world. And yet, despite over 50 years of visiting and seven in this role, I am still discovering, still being amazed, still being excited and still Cumbria’s number one fan.

I’m a walker and a horse rider, with a family of mountain bikers. I love eating out, theatre, history and culture and meeting up with friends with the odd luxury spa treat throw in. I love being on water and last year I tried paddle boarding. I was hopeless at it – more in it than on it - but it was brilliant fun and I’d highly recommend.

Favourite Cumbrian Spot: Honestly, I am still discovering new places and new experiences but I am looking forward to one day enjoying a horse riding holiday in the county and enjoying the landscape from a different vantage point.

Heather Sewell - Communications Manager at Cumbria Tourism

I’m based in South Cumbria and Iove anything creative, whether that’s enjoying live music and theatre performances or getting stuck into my own arts and crafts. My main interest is wildlife drawing, but I like to experiment and ​in recent months​, I've tried my hand at glass fusing, needle felting and ​cyanotype printing. I also love hunting out good food and drink - in Cumbria and beyond - and sharing with family and friends.

Favourite Cumbrian Spot: Visiting Tarn Hows is one of my earliest holiday memories… eagerly edging towards the shoreline in my brand new wellies at around 4 years old to feed the ducks.

Janie Oates - Content Executive at Cumbria Tourism

I live in Oxenholme and grew up hiking, running and camping in the hills of the Lake District. After having travelled far and wide across the world, I realised that Cumbria was an awesome place to live. Since returning I have ticked off all the Wainwright fells and many fell races. In my free time, I also enjoy anything creative, from painting and sketching to graphic design and photography.

Favourite Cumbrian Spot: Great Langdale is a beautiful valley with so many good hiking options and of course loads of great pubs to choose from!

Rob Cowley - Senior Digital Marketing Executive at Cumbria Tourism

I live just south of Kendal and my interests include music and the arts. I love listening to live performances of music and Cumbria has a vibrant music and arts scene with many events and festivals throughout the year, so it's a great place to see and hear music performed in a wonderful setting. I also love food and drink, as my ever increasing waistline testifies, and we are really spoilt for choice in Cumbria with a great selection of local food and drink and places to enjoy them.

Favourite Cumbrian Spot: Arnside, a coastal village on Morecambe Bay. It's brilliant for a gentle stroll along the promenade or on the sands and seeing a train coming across the railway viaduct still holds a child-like excitement for me. Arnside has interesting and individual boutique shops, great cafes, pubs and a lovely bakery, but really, what could be better than fish and chips or an ice cream by the seaside?

Rob Rhys - Communications Coordinator at Cumbria Tourism

Living in South Lakes, I love nothing more than to be outdoors with nature with my wife and two American Shepherds. In my spare time you’ll likely find me exploring somewhere new in Cumbria, playing cricket or indulging in one of Cumbria’s incredible food and drink offerings.  

Favourite Cumbrian Spot: Wastwater - it’s so dramatic, which somehow makes it so calming to be around. The perfect spot for a lake day and getting on the water with the paddleboard.

Sam Marsh - PR & Content Coordinator at Cumbria Tourism

I live in the small hamlet of Low Newton, near Cartmel.  When I’m not found pottering around in my garden or baking cakes in the kitchen, you’ll usually see me roaming all around Cumbria with my husband and our rottie cross puppy.  We love walking and exploring, especially when a walk includes tea, cake or wine at the end!  I’m not one for sitting still and love to try new experiences so we never say no to anything and if the dog can come too all the better!  Another reason I love Cumbria so much as there literally is nowhere more dog friendly than here.

Favourite Cumbrian spot: There are just too many to choose from but I guess if I was pressed one of them has to be Gummers How.  It’s near to where we live and is an easy fell for most people to explore with rewarding views from the top.  Anytime we have friends visiting from around the UK, it’s a walk we always take them on as it’s a real winner for ease, access, views and length.

Jump to: Amanda MacIntyre  |  Amanda Shaw  |  Ben Melling  |  Gavin West  |  Gill Haigh  |  Heather Sewell  |  Janie Oates  |  Rob Cowley  |  Rob Rhys  |  Sam Marsh