The Lake District Foundation extends a warm welcome to visitors returning to the Lake District National Park as COVID restrictions ease and tourism businesses re-open.
The Lake District Foundation, the charity raising funds to look after the Lake District National Park and Cumbria, have worked alongside partners and businesses to look after our natural world whilst visitors have been away. They have carried out research to understand the impact during this time and are proud of their business supporters’ opening their doors safely for visitors again.
A small local survey conducted by the Foundation before the easing of restrictions in June revealed one third of people now feel that the green and natural spaces are more important than before and 75% reported the outdoors have a positive impact on their mental health. Nearly everyone reported seeing positive and visible changes in the environment and nature around them, recording increases in birdsong, wildlife and insects.
Sarah Swindley, Lake District Foundation’s CEO, said: “It is more important than ever to look after the open spaces and spectacular landscape not only for the environment but also for people’s health and well-being.
We are excited to welcome visitors back and hope you enjoy your favourite places in the Lake District but we do rely on your help to care for the wildlife, landscape and cultural heritage. There are many ways you can support: look out for our contactless donation boxes at Ullswater Steamers in Glenridding and Wainwrights Inn in the Langdales, or visit our website lakedistrictfoundation.org, and via our amazing business supporters across the Lake District. Thank-you for your continued support.”
The Foundation works with over 150 business supporters who either fundraise for the charity or make a donation. The businesses have been busy preparing to re-open safely at the start of July following Visit Britain guidelines.
The Cedar Manor Hotel in Windermere has been a business supporter since 2007 raising over £17,000 for the Foundation during that period. They re-opened their doors at the start of July after receiving their ‘Good to Go’ accreditation from Visit Britain.
Jonathan Kaye, Owner of The Cedar Manor Hotel, explains, “To get this we have completed 3 key risk assessments that are all focussed on Covid-19. First a customer journey, second, the staff journey, third, the building. Above all we are reassuring guests that although it sounds like a “new world”, we want them to come and relax knowing that it’s safe and they are going to be well looked after. We are delighted we can continue to fundraise for the Lake District Foundation and know our guests really love the fact that they can contribute to the well-being of the park through staying with us at Cedar Manor.”
The money raised by the Lake District Foundation is distributed to effective projects that share the charity’s goals within the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Join one of the top trail/mountain runners in the world for a run in the Lake District.
Sean Conway is best known as the first and only man in history to cycle, swim and run the length of Britain, oh and for his massive ginger beard! In 2016 he completed the world’s longest triathlon, a 4,200mile journey around the coast of Britain. Sean has just broken the World Record for cycling across Europe in under 25 days from Portugal to Russia. Join him for an adventure day in the Lake District and receive signed copies of his books.
Spend the day with award winning local photographer Henry Iddon capturing shots across the Lake District using a pinhole camera and learning how to develop the images yourself. You’ll end the day with your own magnificent prints captured by you.
Enjoy a fabulous 3 night self-catering break for 4 in central Venice. You’ll be staying in the heart of this romantic city, in an apartment overlooking a very quiet and private Corte (with its 14th century well), yet only minutes from the bustling Rialto Bridge and the Market.
A collectors set of Lake District Pound notes with the same serial number, that number reflecting a key date in the history of our National Park. You could own the full set of Lake District Pound denominations – LD£1, LD£5, LD£10 & LD£20. Each of the denominations will have the same unique Serial Number: 1951. 1951 being the year the Lake District National Park was founded. This will be together with a ‘Lake District Pound Storybook 2018’ exquisitely produced on James Cropper paper and telling the story of the LD£ and the 2018 designs.
Bremont is an award-winning British company producing beautifully engineered chronometers at their headquarters in Henley on Thames, England.
The Lake District National Park’s Field Rangers are offering one full day of their time to assist you completing a big job in the garden, land or perhaps your farm? You aren’t bidding for a team to come and cut your grass for the day rather use their skills and expertise to help with something you can’t do, for example stone walling?!
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh was founded in 1670 as a physic garden. It is now a world-renowned centre for plant science, horticulture and education and extends over four Gardens (Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck and Logan) boasting a rich living collection of plants. You could have an exclusive behind the scenes tour with the Curator of the Living Collections followed by conversation over a delightful afternoon tea.
Local Lake District artist, Alan Stones, is offering a framed original lithograph. The picture is called ‘Over the Fence’ – hand made in May 2018 at Alan Stones studio at Blencarn in a limited edition of 85. You’ll be able to view on the night and you’ll beabsolutely enchanted.
Theatre by the Lake in Keswick is offering a special package for two. Enjoy tickets to any performance this summer season, exclusive VIP backstage tour and a three course dinner for two.
For those of you who haven’t come across Herdy. Let us take a moment to introduce you. Herdy design and create unique gifts, homeware and accessories that make you smile. Born in the English Lake District and inspired by the area’s loveable Herdwick sheep, they also support sustainable rural community and upland fell farming projects through the Herdy fund. Herdy have created a bespoke 70’s disco Herdy especially to help raise funds for the Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Path! 
Brian Fulton based in Keswick has over 35 years experience in the jewellery trade. Brian has become a Freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company for his contribution to the goldsmith and jewellery trade and is a fellow of the Institute of professional goldsmiths.
Did you know Whinlatter is England’s only true Mountain Forest? It’s home to stunning views, fantastic walks, exhilarating mountain biking, rare wildlife and adventure play! The team at Whinlatter are giving you the chance to bid on a special prize for two…. A Discovery Pass for Whinlatter, afternoon tea at Siskins Café and Go Ape session (High Ropes or Segways) for two people plus a voucher for the Visitor Centre! Enjoy lunch for two as well at the fabulous Cottage in the Wood just by Whinlatter Forest. 
Lingholm Estate is traditional country estate that lies at the heart of the Northern Lake District situated on the Western Shore of Derwentwater. Central to the Estate is a grand Grade II listed Victorian house, built in 1873 by the prominent Victorian Architect Alfred Waterhouse with expansive grounds and stunning gardens. The Estate is offering an exclusive VIP tour followed by a scrumptious afternoon tea for two. 
The Hawkshead Relish Company is an artisan producer of award winning preserves based in the historic village of Hawkshead in the heart of the English Lake District. The range of over 120 relishes, pickles and preserves are handmade in small batches using traditional open pans and locally sourced ingredients, without any artificial flavourings, colourings or preservatives, all are free from nuts and gluten and suitable for vegetarians.
The Lakes Distillery is located next to Bassenthwite Lake. The team are inviting you to bid on a tour of the Distillery, afternoon tea for two and a fabulous bottle for the summer – The Lakes Rhubarb and Rosehip Gin Liqueur. 
William Wordsworth ‘Daffodils’ poem beginning “I wander’d lonely as a cloud” is the quintessential Lake District poem. Born in Cockermouth, just north of the National Park, Wordsworth House and Garden was his childhood home. Wordsworth’s ‘Guide through the District of the Lakes’ published in 1820 sparked off the first beginnings of mass tourism to the area. Enjoy a tour of the house and gardens followed by afternoon tea.
Indulge in a case of Jennings beers – Cumberland Ale, Jennings Bitter, Sneck Lifter, Cocker Hoop and a hamper of tasty local produce. The Jennings beers are brewed with pure Lakeland, drawn from the brewery’s own well, and only the finest ingredients are added. The real art is in the brewing itself, where the Head Brewer and his team use their years of experience and traditional brewing methods to create a range of superb Lakeland Ales.
A special opportunity to experience a VIP tour of the Schloss Dyck Foundation located just outside Dussledorf in Germany and a luxury overnight stay with dinner at the Hotel Schloss Dyck on the grounds of the glorious stately home. Schloss Dyck is a dramatic moated castle which is regarded as one of the most important cultural monuments on the Lower Rhine. Built on four islands in the 17th century, the castle complex lies at the heart of the spacious park. 
Rydal Mount, in the heart of the English Lake District, was William Wordsworth’s best loved family home for the greater part of his life from 1813 to his death in 1850 at the age of 80. The house, which was a focus for romantic literature, continues to be owned by the Wordsworth family and retains the feel of a lived in family home. We have a special opportunity to bid for a signed copy of Wordsworth’s Daffodil poem. The copy is signed by Susan Wordsworth the Great, Great, Great, Granddaughter of William Wordsworth. 
Delightfully indulgent, hand-picked and chosen with love, this charming afternoon tea hamper comes packed with our favourite tea-time treats. Enjoy an afternoon sipping fragrant Earl Grey tea and scrumptious strawberry and raspberry preserves from Rosebud, Bells finest fruit cake blended with seasoned spices and luxury chocolate chunk biscuits… perfect for dunking! A British tradition worth sharing with friends and loved ones.
Heart Radio is giving away a special prize for those budding radio presenters and super fans of the show. You could sit in on Heart drive time show, have a studio tour and walk away with fabulous merchandise! 
From November to March three Mountaineers summit Helvellyn to monitor, record and report on the weather conditions. Helvellyn is one of the most dangerous mountains to climb especially in winter conditions. The Fell Top Assessors job is to ensure locals and visitors summit safely and provide a ‘boots on the ground’ report on conditions. You can experience what it’s like to be a Fell Top Assessor for the day, climb the mountain, and produce the report and take over the social media for the day. 
Zoe Dawes, known as the Quirky Traveller, is a local lady who travellers the world writing awe-inspiring blogs and provides expert business coaching.
Carlisle Lake District Airport and Smith Hotel are offering a two night luxury stay in a Suite with full Scottish breakfast and a bottle of bubbles on arrival. The Smith Hotel is a superb 4 star accommodation, excellent 2 x AA rosette restaurant, an onsite beauty salon and just in case you were wondering, highly regarded as one of the very best wedding reception venues in the area. 
The original and the best, Lakeland Monster Miles is the toughest both physically and technically of all the Adventure Cross events, offering a full take of the best of Lakeland riding, and is a great way to end your Cyclocross season.
You are invited to enjoy a very special dinner, bed and breakfast experience at the John Lewis exclusive hotel in Ambleside. The hotel is normally reserved for John Lewis employees but they have generously opened their doors to help raise funds for the Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Path. To make your mini break complete, Brockhole’s newly launched restaurant is offering an afternoon tea experience at The Gaddum Afternoon Tea. 
Another Place is the newest in the new collection of hotels designed to bring people together in exceptional locations. From the team behind Watergate Bay Hotel, Another Place on the shores of Ullswater is relaxed, convivial hotel from where you can explore the great outdoors. It’s a place for coming together round a table or fire pit, or for going it alone on a walk in the hills. It’s about days spent splashing about in the lake before drying out on a sofa with a book. It’s about the good things in life – having fun, eating well, letting go. Enjoy dinner, bed and breakfast and the next day head off to Holker Hall & Gardens for a day of fun and afternoon tea.
Heart of the Lakes are giving you the chance to bid for a Spa Experience Deluxe for 2 people at Oxleys Spa at Underscar followed by a two course meal for four and a bottle of Wine at The Bistro at Underscar.