The Lake District National Park boundary was first designated in 1951. A written description and two 1 inch to 1 mile paper maps determined the position of its boundary. The boundary drawn on the map is one 50th of an inch wide. This represents 32 metres on the ground.
When the boundary was first digitised and transferred to computers, the approach was inconsistent, leading to potential misinterpretation. In 2011 we updated this, as described below.
We have not moved the National Park boundary. We have just produced a new, more consistent interpretation from the original designation documents. The definitive position of the Park boundary is still only found on the original designation documents.
The differences affect most of the Park boundary but are small, generally a couple of metres. For example, where the boundary runs along a road it now follows the edge of the metalling in all cases. There are some larger changes around the coast and estuaries but these are generally within the water features.
We did this work to comply with an ombudsman’s decision. The new interpretation has been agreed by our members and the ombudsman. Please read:
In 2016, the Lake District National Park was extended and the digital boundary was agreed with, and supplied by, Natural England, the designating body. The above review does not apply to these areas.
For more information please contact GIS@lakedistrict.gov.uk
