Lake District Granted World Heritage Status

Claudia Dowell kicks off our travel section with all the touring news, updates and information that you need to know

- Claudia Dowell

It’s where the idea of the conservation of beautiful landscapes began; it’s Britain’s largest National Park, being granted this status back in 1951; it’s one of the top holiday destinations in the UK; and in July it joined 30 other British sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. England’s Lake District, long admired by artists and poets, is Britain’s first National Park to be protected.

Since the late 18th century, visitors have been drawn to this stunning lake and mountain landscape, with its heritage of sheep farming and mining, and today the National Park attracts more than 15 million visitors a year.

Local attractions include the homes of poet William Wordsworth, children’s author Beatrix Potter, and poet and art critic John Ruskin; while its walks, plotted by fell walker Alfred Wainwright, have been brought to a wider audience by TV presenter Julia Bradbury.

World Heritage Status has been sought for the National Park since 1986, and on this occasion, 25 organisations within the Lake District National Park Partnership were involved in the bid for recognition in the cultural landscape category. For details of the ruling, visit http://whc.unesco.org.