Lake District locals say they don’t bother visiting anymore – ‘as bad as Cotswolds and Cor | UK | News
A local campaigner says the Lake District has fallen victim to its success in attracting tourists and is now stunned by the numbers. The district and national park in Cumbria, north-west England, is home to one of Britain’s most stunning landscapes and attracts around 20 million visitors a year. Tens of millions of people visit the wider Cumbria region and The Lakes’ excellent reputation as a holiday destination pays dividends Local economy.
But some say it is heading towards Cornwall and the Cotswolds, which are coming under increasing pressure from overtourism. Dr moved to Cumbria as a child. Karen Lloyd says she almost never goes to the Lake District because it’s so busy – and it’s been that way for years.
To talk Daily MailThe writer and poet said: “Because if you don’t get there early or late, you can’t park, you get stuck in traffic. It’s not nice, and when you get to a place they’re very busy.”
In 2017, the Lake District joined the illustrious list of global travel destinations with World Heritage Status, with UNESCO recognizing the Outstanding Universal Value of the Lake.
However, many were disappointed that this designation was sought and approved, with local Ecologist Lee Schofield explaining. BBC News In June last year it was said the area was being “exploited” by an increase in tourism, second homes and sheep farming, which campaigners said was unsustainable.
Dr Lloyd is among those who will be pleased to see the back of the UNESCO designation, saying it has been controversial at every stage of the process, but particularly so now because of the rising numbers and what he calls the “relentless pursuit of tourism”.
He told the paper he didn’t want tourists there, but congestion was bad for them too and he was concerned that excessive tourist numbers would affect the wider area beyond the lakes.
Gill Haigh, chief executive of Cumbria Tourism, told the press that tourism contributes around £4.6 billion to the region, supports more than 74,000 jobs and supports local amenities such as transport, shops, culture and schools.
He said Cumbria’s tourism industry had been hit hard by the pandemic, with visitor numbers still down 14.4% since 2019.
He acknowledged that, like other popular travel destinations, it faces challenges during its busiest periods, but praised the work being done to ensure infrastructure can support everyone.
“The county’s joint Destination Management Plan is about ensuring tourism brings real benefits to businesses, communities, the natural environment and visitors,” he said.
“Many organizations are working together, improving and increasing public transport and parking management.”
Julia Aglionby, professor of protected areas at the University of Cumbria, rejected Schofield’s claim of “overtourism” at the time and said it was important that the area was properly managed by the “hard-working” Lake District National Park Authority.
The Lake District encompasses two unitary local authorities, Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council.
The former has previously acknowledged concerns about the rise in second home ownership and its impact on the affordability of local accommodation, saying: BBC Radio Cumbria that high levels of second home ownership can have negative consequences for local communities.
He said the council tax premium for second homes introduced under the Leveling Upgrades and Renewals Act 2023 would “encourage more permanent residence permits”.
Responsibility for visitor management in the Lake District is shared between various agencies, including the two councils, the Lake District National Park Authority and others.
Express.co.uk contacted park authorities and Cumberland Council.
