Last updated: 6 November 2020
Richard Leafe, Chief Executive of the Lake District National Park Authority said: “As we move into another national lockdown, unfortunately we are once again asking people to consider whether their travel to the Lake District is necessary at this time. We will continue to protect and care for the National Park, so that when restrictions ease, we can once again welcome visitors. For now, we all need to follow the government guidance to stay at home, as much as possible, in order to protect our communities and vital healthcare services.”
The Government advises people to reduce their travel and to exercise locally wherever possible during this period. Read the latest Government guidance.
All cafes, pubs and restaurants will be closed for dining in, some may be offering take-away services. Non-essential retail shops are closed. Staying away overnight is against government guidance and so hotels, B and Bs and self-catering accommodation are closed. The National Park is open for people to exercise in, but the Government advises people to exercise locally where possible.
Many paths are near to farmers and local people's homes and their families. We need to ensure that they are kept safe so please observe the new temporary signage. Resources for farmers and landowners can be found below.
Some alternative permitted paths have been made available to maintain social distancing and protect residents and local communities. If you see a sign for a permitted path, please follow the way markers along the temporary route. Maintain social distance and hand wash or sanitise after touching any shared surfaces in line with government social distancing advice.
Most car parks around the Lake District National Park remain open, but our patrols to report on how busy different areas are have stopped for now. We have put social distancing measures in place to help our visitors stay safe, including contactless payment options, two-metre queuing signs and online information to help people plan their visit.
Nearly all public toilets are open.
Check which activities are allowed on which lakes across the Lake District
Please know your own capabilities on the water and do not place yourself or others at risk.
Emergency services may not be able to respond as quickly as they might have done before and this puts people at risk and is unfair to those that are volunteers in those services.
Our lake rangers are patrolling to support people’s safe enjoyment of the water and will enforce as necessary where there are clear breaches of the byelaws that impact on safety or have negative environmental impacts.
Please be aware of the byelaws and report any breaches to our lake ranger team
To protect staff and customers during the Coronavirus outbreak, new boat registrations cannot currently be undertaken at Ferry Nab or at the National Park office in Kendal. Renewals can be completed online. More info on renewals and new registrations on our Windermere registration page.
We ask everyone to please be prepared when exploring the Lake District fells and plan ahead. Emergency services are under increased pressure at this time and responding to emergencies puts teams at risk. Be adventure smart and ask yourself three questions before you set off:
Find out how to stay safe on the fells
Staying away from home overnight is against current government guidance, this includes tents, campervans and caravans.
Brockhole on Windermere is closed and plans to reopen on 3 December.
The Brockhole website has all the details and pre-booking online for activities and boat hire.
Coniston Boating Centre is now closed and plans to reopen on 3 December. All details and online booking available now at ConistonBoatingCentre.co.uk
Our information centres at Bowness on Windermere, Keswick and Ullswater are now closed and plan to reopen on 3 December.
Our guided walks for all of 2020 have been cancelled. We are looking at how we can bring these back for the 2021 season.
Generate a QR code for NHS Track and Trace for your business venue
Welcome your visitors with a reminder to keep 2 herdy sheep apart for social distancing. A2, A3, A4 and 6ft banner sizes available to download.
We have 2 posters available to download and display on any rights of way. These are to help communicate the message of social distancing across the Lake District National Park.
Our committees are no longer meeting in person and some may be cancelled. We have changed the ways we hold committee meetings and conduct Authority business using different forms of communication, like phone and web meetings. Find out more about how and when we are holding meetings on the meetings page on our website.
Planning services from 10 August 2020:
If you telephone or email us you will receive an automated message. We will review all messages, you may not receive a further reply.
Our small team has been working remotely throughout the pandemic and providing a full range of planning services. Over recent months the capacity of the team has been very significantly reduced by caring responsibilities as a result of schools being closed and for various medical reasons unrelated to the pandemic. We are suspending discretionary services in order to safeguard the core statutory decision making function.
We will re-introduce services as soon as we are able.
Thank you for being understanding, we appreciate that you may be disappointed, this is not the planning service that we want to provide and we look forward to being able to provide a full service once again shortly.
To support business recovery and aid social distancing the Government has granted planning permission for the temporary uses of land for an additional 28 days between 1st July 2020 and 31st December 2020. In combination with the 28 days already permitted, this means up to 56 days of temporary use in total may be permitted (subject to certain restrictions). Permanent works and buildings (including hard surfacing) still require a planning application.
The Government has also granted planning permission to for markets to be held by, or on behalf of, Parish, District and County Councils at anytime up to 23 March 2021.
See the planning permission granted by the Government
If you have any questions please contact our duty planner.
Please use email if possible - planning@lakedistrict.gov.uk
For queries needing immediate attention, our main HQ phone number
If you are sending comments, amended plans or other information in relation to an ongoing application, please forward those details to planning@lakedistrict.gov.uk
Please note, due to the rapidly changing situation the above approaches are subject to immediate change without notification or consultation.
Contact our contact centre team by email hq@lakedistrict.gov.uk or call 01539 724555.
