Lake District park officials are intensifying efforts to combat illegal camping, littering, and dangerous fire practices as the busy Bank Holiday weekend approaches. Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council are utilizing enforcement powers to issue fines for anti-social behavior, prompted by an increase in incidents, including campers lighting fires on dry grass during heatwaves, posing wildfire risks.
Authorities have boosted police patrols and deployed wardens on boats to monitor shorelines for unauthorized campsites. Steve Tatlock, Ranger Team Leader for the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA), noted a rise in fly-camping, littering, campfires, and dangerous parking during the peak visitor season. "The majority of residents and visitors who enjoy the Lake District do so respectfully and consequently make sure to 'leave no trace,'" Tatlock stated, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the countryside code.
Wild camping is generally not permitted in the Lake District without landowner permission. It is typically tolerated for single nights if campers practice 'leave no trace' principles and camp above the highest fell wall, away from populated areas, lakeshores, fields, and woodlands. Fly camping, however, is defined by the disregard of these rules, leaving sites littered with rubbish.
Officials can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 for rule violations. Residents have expressed growing frustration with what they describe as lawless activity. Hayley Webb, an outdoor instructor, has observed numerous campsites weekly near her home, stating, "Fly camping is absolutely an epidemic. It seems the more people are told not to do something and why, the more it seems to happen." She believes the current fines are insufficient.
Clive Rowlandson, a lifelong resident near Ullswater Lake, described illegal campers as an "eyesore," noting that many locals now avoid certain areas due to the prevalence of abandoned campsites, scorch marks, discarded waste, and damage to trees. Rangers and Cumbria police have also reported incidents of vandalism, including graffiti and tree carving.
Previous Enforcement Actions
Earlier in August, a joint operation involving Westmorland and Furness Council, Eden Police, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, the LDNPA, and the National Trust resulted in a couple being fined for fly camping. Their camp had caused environmental damage, including the destruction of flora, and they had lit a large fire on dry, peaty ground, which was extinguished by the team to prevent a wildfire.
Scott Cameron, Group Manager for Prevention and Protection at Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service, advised against using disposable barbecues, recommending visitors bring picnics instead. Parking has also become a significant issue, with instances of luxury cars parked unlawfully on private land. One farmer resorted to spraying slurry on vehicles parked without permission, citing frustration with visitors' behavior and their treatment of the Lake District.
Councillor Andrew Jarvis highlighted that while most visitors are responsible, a considerable number cause disruption through illegal parking and anti-social behavior. "My message to visitors is that they are welcome here, but please behave responsibly and think about the impact of your actions on both the area and the local community," he said. Last weekend alone, over 30 vehicles received parking tickets for violations.
Cumbria Police urged visitors and residents to park legally and considerately, noting that poor parking can obstruct emergency services and local traffic. The LDNPA, in collaboration with partners through Cumbria's Strategic Visitor Management Group, is continuing educational patrols to address these issues. Tatlock emphasized that these actions not only detract from the landscape's beauty but also disrupt communities and pose environmental risks, including potential wildfires and damage to vegetation and wildlife. The time spent cleaning up litter and abandoned sites diverts staff and volunteers from crucial conservation work.