Editing Lake District (section)

== Human geography ==

=== General ===
[[File: Lake District Map.PNG|thumb|The location of the Lake District  and approximate extent, shown in white, within [[Northern England]]]]

The precise extent of the Lake District is undefined, but it is sometimes considered{{who|date=May 2024}} to be slightly larger than that of the National Park, whose total area is about {{convert|2362|km2}}.<ref name=ldnpfaf/> The park extends just over {{convert|51|km}} from east to west and nearly {{convert|64|km}} from north to south,<ref>OS 1:50,000 scale mapping</ref> with areas such as the Lake District Peninsulas to the south lying outside the National Park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/site-information/search.aspx?terms=lake+district+peninsulas&cf=keywords|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825080327/http://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/site-information/search.aspx?terms=lake%2Bdistrict%2Bpeninsulas&cf=keywords|url-status=dead|title=South Lakeland District Council website.|archive-date=25 August 2012|access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref>

=== Settlement ===
There are only a few major settlements within this mountainous area: the towns of [[Keswick, Cumbria|Keswick]]; [[Windermere, Cumbria (town)|Windermere]] and [[Bowness-on-Windermere]] (which are contiguous); and [[Ambleside]], are the three largest. The economies of all these are heavily dependent on tourism. Significant settlements close to the boundary of the national park include [[Carlisle]], [[Barrow-in-Furness]], [[Kendal]], [[Ulverston]], [[Dalton-in-Furness]], [[Whitehaven]], [[Workington]], [[Cockermouth]], [[Penrith, Cumbria|Penrith]], [[Millom]] and [[Grange-over-Sands]]; each of these has important economic links with the area. Other villages are [[Coniston, Cumbria|Coniston]], [[Threlkeld]], [[Glenridding]], [[Pooley Bridge]], [[Broughton-in-Furness]], [[Grasmere (village)|Grasmere]], [[Newby Bridge]], [[Staveley, Cumbria|Staveley]], [[Lindale, Cumbria|Lindale]], [[Gosforth, Cumbria|Gosforth]] and [[Hawkshead]]. Beyond these are a scattering of hamlets and many isolated farmsteads, some of which are still tied to agriculture;{{citation needed|date=October 2019}} others now function as part of the tourist economy.<ref name="autogenerated1">Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 scale Landranger map sheets 89, 90, 96 & 97</ref>

=== Communications ===

==== Roads ====
[[File:A591 road, Lake District - June 2009 Edit 1.jpg|thumb|The A591 road as it passes through the countryside between Ambleside and Grasmere]]
The Lake District is very nearly contained within a box of [[trunk road|trunk routes]] and major A roads. It is flanked to the east by the [[A6 road (England)|A6 road]], which runs from Kendal to Penrith (though the National Park extension approved in 2015 is east of the A6); across its southern fringes by the [[A590 road|A590]], which connects the M6 to Barrow-in-Furness, and the [[A5092 road|A5092]], and across its northern edge by the [[A66 road|A66]] trunk road between Penrith and [[Workington]]. The [[A595 road|A595]] (linking the A66 with the A5092) forms the park boundary from Calder Bridge to Holmrook, then crosses the coastal plain of the park until turning inland at the Whicham Valley, forming much of the park boundary again until joining the A5092 at Grizebeck.

Besides these, a few [[Great Britain road numbering scheme|A roads]] penetrate the area itself, notably the [[A591]] which runs north-westwards from Kendal to Windermere and then on to Keswick. It continues up the east side of [[Bassenthwaite Lake]]. "The A591, Grasmere, Lake District" was short-listed in the 2011 [[Google Street View]] awards in the Most Romantic Street category. The [[A593 road|A593]] and [[A5084 road (Great Britain)#Four-digit roads (50xx)|A5084]] link the Ambleside and Coniston areas with the A590 to the south whilst the [[A592 road|A592]] and [[A5074 road|A5074]] similarly link Windermere with the A590. The A592 also continues northwards from Windermere to [[Ullswater]] and Penrith by way of the [[Kirkstone Pass]].

Some valleys which are not penetrated by A roads are served by [[Great Britain road numbering scheme|B roads]]. The B5289 serves Lorton Vale and [[Buttermere, Cumbria (village)|Buttermere]] and links via the [[Honister Pass]] with [[Borrowdale]]. The [[B5292 road|B5292]] ascends the [[Whinlatter Pass]] from Lorton Vale before dropping down to [[Braithwaite]] near Keswick. The [[B5322 road|B5322]] serves the valley of [[St John's in the Vale]] whilst [[Great Langdale]] is served by the [[B5343 road|B5343]]. Other valleys such as [[Little Langdale]], [[Eskdale, Cumbria|Eskdale]] and [[Duddon Valley|Dunnerdale]] are served by minor roads. The last of these is connected with the first two by the [[Wrynose Pass|Wrynose]] and [[Hardknott Pass|Hardknott]] passes respectively; both of these passes are known for their steep gradients and are together one of the most popular [[Climbing specialist|climbs]] in the United Kingdom for cycling enthusiasts.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Britain's top 10 toughest cycle climbs |last=Warren |first=Simon |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/jul/20/britains-top-10-toughest-cycle-climbs |newspaper=The Guardian |date=20 July 2012 |access-date=6 September 2012 |archive-date=26 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826015224/http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/jul/20/britains-top-10-toughest-cycle-climbs |url-status=live }}</ref> A minor road through the [[Newlands Valley]] connects via [[Newlands Hause]] with the B5289 at Buttermere. [[Wasdale]] is served by a cul-de-sac minor road,{{efn|Walkers from other valleys are often surprised at the length (and cost) of a taxi journey back to their starting point if they descend from the fells into Wasdale. For instance, Seatoller to Wasdale head is about 6 miles on foot, but 49 miles by road.}} as is [[Longsleddale]] and the valleys at [[Haweswater Reservoir|Haweswater]] and [[Kentmere]]. There are networks of minor roads in the lower-lying southern part of the area, connecting numerous communities between Kendal, Windermere, and Coniston.<ref name="autogenerated1" />

==== Railways and ferries ====
The [[West Coast Main Line]] skirts the eastern edge of the Lake District and the [[Cumbrian Coast Line]] passes through the southern and western fringes of the area. A single railway line, the [[Windermere Branch Line]], penetrates from Kendal to Windermere via Staveley. Railways once served Broughton-in-Furness and Coniston (closed to passengers in 1958) and another ran from Penrith to Cockermouth via Keswick (closed west of Keswick in 1966 and completely in 1972). Part of the track of the latter is used by the improved A66 trunk road.

The [[Cumbrian Coast line]] has three stations within the boundaries of the national park (and additionally [[Drigg]], about a third of a mile from the park boundary). The line gives railway enthusiasts and others a flavour of a pre-[[Beeching cuts|Beeching]] railway line, with features like manually operated level crossing gates, as well as giving a good connection to the steam railway into Eskdale and providing access for cyclists and serious walkers to the Western Fells.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visitcumbria.com/the-cumbrian-coast-railway/|website=Visit Cumbria|title=The Furness Railway and the Cumbrian Coast Railway|access-date=25 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031708/https://www.visitcumbria.com/the-cumbrian-coast-railway/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The narrow gauge [[Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway]] runs from [[Ravenglass]] on the west coast up Eskdale as far as Dalegarth Station near the hamlet of Boot, catering for tourists. Another [[heritage railway]], the [[Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway]], runs between Lake Windermere and [[Haverthwaite]], and tourists can connect at Lakeside with the boats up the lake to Bowness.

A vehicle-carrying [[cable ferry]], the [[Windermere Ferry]], runs frequent services across Windermere. There are also seasonal passenger boats on Coniston Water, Derwent Water, and Ullswater.

==== Footpaths and bridleways ====
There are many paths over which the public has a [[Rights of way in England and Wales|right of way]], all of which are signposted at their origin on public roads and at some other points.<ref>{{cite web |title=FAQs - Rights of Way |url=https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/things-to-do/rowupdates/rowfaqs |website=Lake District National Park |access-date=7 December 2023 |language=en |date=6 September 2017}}</ref> Within the area of the National Park in 2012 there were {{convert|2159|km|abbr=on}} of [[Public footpath (England and Wales)|public footpaths]],
{{convert|875|km|abbr=on}} of [[Public bridleway (England and Wales)|public bridleways]],
{{convert|15|km|0|abbr=on}} of [[restricted byway]]s and
{{convert|30|km|abbr=on}} of [[Byway open to all traffic|byways open to all traffic]]. There is also a general "[[Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000|right to roam]]" in open country, which includes approximately 50% of the national park.<ref>{{cite web|title=Frequently asked questions: Rights of Way |url=http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/552950/1.2-RoW-FAQs.pdf |publisher=Lake District National Park |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519131402/http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/thingstodo/green_roads |archive-date=19 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Many of these tracks arose centuries ago and were used either as ridge highways (such as along [[High Street (Lake District)|High Street]]) or as [[List of hill passes of the Lake District|passes for travelling across the ridges]] between settlements in the valleys. Historically these paths were not planned for reaching summits, but more recently they are used by fell walkers for that purpose.<ref name="ihc">{{cite web|title=Roads |url=http://www.cumbria-industries.org.uk/a-z-of-industries/roads/ |website=Industrial History of Cumbria |publisher=Cumbria Industrial History Society |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525084346/http://www.cumbria-industries.org.uk/a-z-of-industries/roads/ |archive-date=25 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Coast to Coast Walk]], which crosses the north of England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, traverses the national park from west to east.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Coast to Coast Walk |url=http://www.coastto.co.uk |access-date=6 February 2022 |website=Coast-to-Coast}}</ref>

Bridleways are intended for horse riding and walkers, with cyclists also permitted to use them. Cyclists must give way to all other bridleway users. Motor vehicles are only allowed on "byways open to all traffic" ([[Green lane (road)|green lanes]]) but in practice Traffic Regulation Orders have been brought in on several prohibiting motor traffic, although a system of permits operates on [[Gatescarth Pass]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Green Road driving |date=24 July 2013 |url=http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/thingstodo/green_roads |publisher=Lake District National Park |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6hb6lwL7B?url=http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/thingstodo/green_roads |archive-date=18 May 2016 |language=en |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite web |title=Hierarchy of Trails Routes |url=http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/roads-transport/public-transport-road-safety/countryside-access/hotr/hierarchy_of_trails_routes.asp |website=www.cumbria.gov.uk |publisher=Chief Executives Office, Cumbria County Council |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6hb70zxtL?url=http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/roads-transport/public-transport-road-safety/countryside-access/hotr/hierarchy_of_trails_routes.asp |archive-date=18 May 2016 |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite web |title=Gatescarth Pass |url=http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/thingstodo/green_roads/green_road_gatescarth |website=Lake District National Park |date=16 January 2014 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6hOooHi0y?url=http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/thingstodo/green_roads/green_road_gatescarth |archive-date=10 May 2016 |language=en |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite web |title=Motorised vehicle ban for Lake District's Walna Scar |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-16942068 |website=BBC News |date=6 February 2012 |access-date=10 May 2016 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925225731/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-16942068 |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite web |title=Walna Scar Road – Restricted Byway Confirmed |url=http://www.gleam-uk.org/contentious-issues/walna-scar-road-restricted-byway-order-renewed/ |website=GLEAM |publisher=Green Lanes Environmental Action Movement |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6hbFJ1aFS?url=http://www.gleam-uk.org/contentious-issues/walna-scar-road-restricted-byway-order-renewed/ |archive-date=18 May 2016 |date=January 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Land ownership ====
Most of the land within the national park is in private ownership, with about 55% registered as agricultural land. Landowners include:

* Individual farmers and other private landowners, with more than half of the agricultural land farmed by the owners.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The state of farming and land management in the Lake District |url=http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/170701/c_farming_land_man.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305011943/http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/170701/c_farming_land_man.pdf |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=2 December 2017 |publisher=lakedistrict.gov.uk}}</ref>
* The [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] owns around 25% of the total area (including some lakes and land of significant landscape value).
* The Forestry Commission and other investors in forests and woodland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forestry Commission Cumbria |url=http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/NWWM_CumbriaWoodlandStrategy.pdf/$FILE/NWWM_CumbriaWoodlandStrategy.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304083646/http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/NWWM_CumbriaWoodlandStrategy.pdf/$FILE/NWWM_CumbriaWoodlandStrategy.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=14 July 2019 |publisher=forestry.gov.uk}}</ref>
* [[United Utilities]] (owns 8%)
* Lake District National Park Authority (owns 3.9%)