Frequently asked questions (original) (raw)
Overview
Welcome to our FAQs page. Please click on these links to view our most frequently asked questions:
Getting around the park
How do I get to and around the Lake District?
The Lake District National Park covers over 900 square miles and is open to the public all day, every day, with no gates or barriers. You won’t need a single postcode to find the Lake District, but it will take a little planning.
First, take a look at our visiting webpages to choose the area and activities you're interested in. Then Plan your journey to the Lake District, with many options to travel by train, bus, electric vehicle, bike and more.
Our visitor centre ‘Brockhole’ is a great place to start your visit. Sat Nav: Brockhole, Windermere LA23 1FF.
Where can I park?
Help us look after the National Park by choosing to travel by bus, train, bike, electric vehicles or on foot. See Lake District car park location and payment details.
If you choose to come by car, please use a car park.
Things to do
I'm new to the Lake District, where do I start?
Welcome to the Lake District National Park. A good place to start is Plan your visit and be Lake District Kind.
What lakes can I paddleboard, kayak or use my boat on?
There are four main lakes: Windermere, Derwent Water, Ullswater and Coniston Water, with many more smaller water bodies. Find out which activities are permitted on each lake. See Lakes Activities Guide.
What is there to do?
How do I register a boat on Windermere?
All powered boats on Windermere, whether in use, moored, for private use or business, must have a current Windermere Registration. Register your boat at Windermere boat registration.
Where can I go fishing and do I need a permit?
Are there any easy or accessible walks?
The Lake District National Park is here for everyone to enjoy. No matter what your background, ability or need. We've more than 50 'Miles without Stiles' accessible routes. You can visit these routes at:
Are there any guided walks in the Lake District National Park?
Where to stay
What accommodation is in the National Park?
Can I go wild camping or campervanning?
Wild camping is technically not permitted anywhere in the Lake District without prior permission from the landowner. As the National Park Authority we don't have the power to allow camping on private land, and we do not permit camping on the small amount of land that we own. Camping in car parks or on roadside verges is not allowed at any time.
However wild camping is normally tolerated for one night if you ‘Leave no Trace’ and pitch above the highest fell wall. Find out more about wild camping and campervanning in the Lake District:
Our visitors ask
What is the National Park?
The Lake District is both a National Park and a World Heritage Site with over 900 square miles of space and is protected because of its beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage.
Where is the Visitor Centre?
We have four visitor centres across the National Park. Head to Brockhole on Windermere for information mixed with a fun, family day out, or pick up maps and top tips from our staff at Keswick, Ullswater or Bowness Visitor Centres. See Information Centres at the Lake District National Park
What time is the National Park open?
The Lake District National Park is open all day, every day, with no gates or barriers.
Can I bring my dog?
Can I fly my drone?
Can I have a barbecue or campfire?
Barbecues and open fires are not permitted anywhere in the Lake District. Disposable barbecues are environmentally damaging, risk to wildlife, a fire hazard and often result in litter in the National Park. Most major landowners agreed to ban visitors from having barbecues or fires on their land to help look after our National Park. Please respect this special place and leave no trace.
Where do I put my litter or dog poo?
Can I leave a memorial in the National Park?
We regularly receive requests for permanent memorials to be placed in the Lake District National Park. We appreciate the importance of memorials for the families of deceased loved ones and understand how a memorial in a cherished place or landscape can provide a comfort. However if we were to give permission to all the requests we receive, the numbers involved would become extremely intrusive in this natural and beautiful landscape. For this reason we refuse all requests for memorials on land owned by the National Park. For memorials on the other 96 per cent of land in the Lake District, we ask people to contact the landowner directly. Consider making a donation towards a project or location in memory of a loved one through Lake District Foundation.
Please note that memorials, such as benches and structures, may also require planning permission. To informally discuss whether you need to apply for planning application you can talk to a duty planner or attend one of our regular planning surgeries. Visit Planning for details.
Can I scatter ashes in the National Park?
If you plan to scatter ashes, you always need the landowner’s permission to spread ashes on private land. If you are thinking of scattering ashes on water, please try to avoid areas where people might be swimming, fishing or boating while you’re doing the ceremony. For inland rivers or lakes contact the local Environment Agency to check there is no nearby water supply.
We understand that families may wish to leave a temporary memorial item, however, it’s important to only use biodegradable, not plastic, wreaths or flowers if you need them. Ideally, we would encourage people to make a donation towards a National Park project or location in memory a loved one, such as a gate or bridge, whilst at the same time contributing toward the future of the Park. Make a donation: Lake District National Park
How can I report blue green algae?
Blue-green algae occurs naturally in bodies of freshwater, but some kinds can be toxic to humans and lethal to animals. It's impossible to tell if the algae is the dangerous kind just by looking at it, so it's best to not enter the water if you suspect there is algae.
Please call the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60 to report your sighting of blue green algae. Do not enter, drink or swallow the water. Also keep children and pets away from the water. Find out more about Blue green algae at Lake District National Park
What is the Countryside Code?
About the National Park Authority
What does the Lake District National Park Authority do?
The Lake District National Park Authority looks after this unique corner of England, encouraging people to enjoy and understand its beauty and helping those who live and work here. See About the Lake District National Park.
I have a question about a planning application
Our team work across multiple offices, remotely, and out in the national park. Please do not travel to our offices without appointment - you are likely to be disappointed and unable to meet a team member.
There is a duty planner available Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 12:00pm for general telephone advice, call 01539 724555.
Email us at planning@lakedistrict.gov.uk. If you are commenting on a planning application please quote the application reference number.
Who owns the National Park?
The Lake District National Park Authority owns less than four per cent of the land in the National Park. More than half is privately owned, while the rest is owned by organisations such as the National Trust, United Utilities and Forestry England. For further information please visit Land ownership in the Lake District.
Can I volunteer with the Authority?
Get in touch
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