The Lake District has fallen victim to its own success in attracting tourists and is now overwhelmed by the numbers, a local campaigner says. The region and national park in Cumbria, northwest England, is home to one of Britain’s most awe-inspiring landscapes, attracting almost 20 million visitors per year. Tens of millions more visit the wider Cumbria region, and the Lakes’ excellent reputation as a holiday destination benefits the local economy.
But some say it’s going the way of Cornwall and the Cotswolds and coming under increasing strain through overtourism. Dr Karen Lloyd, who moved to Cumbria as a child, says she hardly ever goes into the Lake District because it’s so busy – and it’s been that way for years.
Speaking to Daily Mail, the author and poet said: « Because if you don’t go early or late, you won’t get parked, you’ll get snarled up in traffic. It’s unpleasant and when you do get to places, they’re too busy. »
In 2017, the Lake District joined the illustrious list of global travel hotspots that have World Heritage Status, with UNESCO recognising The Lake’s Outstanding Universal Value.
But many are disappointed that the designation was sought and approved, with local Ecologist Lee Schofield telling the BBC News in June last year that the area was being « abused » by a rise in tourism, second homes, and sheep farming, which campaigners say is unsustainable.
Dr Lloyd is among those who would be glad to see the back of the UNESCO title, saying it was controversial at every stage of the process, but particularly now due to the rise in numbers, and what she describes as « relentless pursuit of tourism ».
She told the newspaper that it’s not that she doesn’t want any tourists there, but the congestion is bad for them too, and she’s worried about excessive numbers impacting the wider area beyond the lakes.
Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, told the outlet that tourism contributes some £4.6billion to the area, supporting over 74,000 jobs and underpinning local facilities like transport, shops, culture and schools.
Cumbria’s tourism industry was hard hit by the pandemic, with visitor numbers actually still 14.4% down since 2019, she said.
She acknowledged that, like other popular travel destinations, it faces challenges during its busiest periods, but touted the work being done to ensure the infrastructure can support everyone.
« The county’s shared Destination Management Plan is about ensuring tourism brings real benefits to business, communities, the natural environment and visitors, » she said.
« Lots of organisations are working together, improving and increasing public transport and parking management. »
Julia Aglionby, professor of protected areas from the University of Cumbria, rejected Mr Schofield’s claim of « over-tourism » at the time, saying it was important that the area was managed properly by the « hard-working » Lake District National Park Authority.
The Lake District spans two unitary local authorities, Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council.
The former previously acknowledged concerns about the rise in second-home ownership and its impact on local accommodation affordability, telling BBC Radio Cumbria that high levels of second-home ownership can have negative consequences for local communities.
It said the council tax premium introduced under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 for second homes « would encourage more permanent residents ».
Responsibility for visitor management in the Lake District is shared between various bodies, including the two councils, the Lake District National Park Authority, and others.
Express.co.uk has contacted the park authority and Cumberland Council.
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