Written on 18/07/18 by Paul Oldham

Great Cumbrian Landscapes

Great landscapes offer endless opportunities for physical, spiritual and mental well-being. They have been the inspiration for artists, poets and adventurers down the centuries. They also offer up to us the fundamental stuff of life: water, oxygen, fuel, soil to grow food and a place to live for humans, wildlife and nature. But they are also under threat and, in our busy lives, we can take for granted the true beauty and importance of what is above, below and all around us.

With this in mind the Friends of the Lake District have some great free activities taking place in the week beginning Saturday, 4th August.

Saturday 4th - Latrigg Rally
10:30-14:30 What are National Parks for? Latrigg, famous for mass walks in the 1880's that helped enable access for all to the Lake District, will be the venue for a Friends of the Lake District Rally to launch 2018 Great Landscapes Week.

Sunday 5th - A Lake District Volcano
10:00-14:00 A Tale of Borrowdale Geology. The story of the formation of Borrowdale is one of volcanoes, islands arcs, plate tectonics and earthquakes.

Monday 6th - Red Squirrels
10:00-12:00 & 18:00-20:00 Conservation and Monitoring at Grasmere. Learn what is being done to protect and preserve this iconic, much-loved and adorable, but threatened, native creature and how to help in its recovery by locating and recording its presence for an ongoing national database project.

Tuesday 7th - Windermere Sunset Canoeing
19:00-21:30 When the hustle and bustle of the day dies down as dusk approaches, there's a chance to appreciate the tranquillity and solitude of spectacular Lake Windermere. Enjoy a mesmerising sunset paddle by Canadian canoe to take in the majestic fells, and watery wonder of the lake and its wildlife.

Wednesday 8th - Learn the Art of Dry Stone Walling
09:30-15:30 Try your hand at dry stone walling. Dry stone walling at Mazonwath near Orton with experience tutors. Learn how to take a wall down and rebuild it so it stays put!

Thursday 9th - Family Nature Exploration Trail
10:00-12:30 Get the young ones out and inspired to explore and learn more about the totally amazing nature we have in our our local area by following a trail across The Helm near Kendal with amazing 360° views.

Friday 10th - Rewilding People
Activities in the woods above Staveley:

17:00-19:00 Oak Basket Weaving in the Woods. Try your hand at this old, immensly satisfying rural craft. In the natural surroundings of this beautiful woodland environment you'll get full instruction on how to make your very own simple, oak basket to take away with you.

19:00-20:00 Woodland Yoga. Switch off your busy brain, breather in the magic of the woodland, leave behind the working week and feel relaxed and recharged ready for the weekend's adventures.

As we said all activities are free but booking is essential. Just follow the links above to book or to find out more. Or contact the Friends' office on 01539 720788. But you need to book so do it now if you're interested.

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WalkLakes recognises that hill walking, or walking in the mountains, is an activity with a danger of personal injury or death.
Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions.