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Primroses – one of the many wild flowers found along the verges in the Lake District

As well as protecting animals, the National Park Authority and other conservation organisations are also involved in protecting threatened habitats and plant species. This includes different types of grassland, upland heaths and mires, which are important habitats for the rare natterjack toad. Protected plant species include juniper, which exists in patches alongside the road between Little Langdale and Blea Tarn, and various lichens and mosses. In total, the Lake District is home to eight National Nature Reserves and over a thousand Sites of Special Scientific Interest as well as a number of other conservation areas.

History and culture

The history of any region is always determined by its natural resources and the Lake District is no different. At least 5000 years ago, communities settled in the valleys, erecting stone circles such as Castlerigg and venturing into the fells for material to shape into stone axes, which have since been found at archaeological sites all over Britain. The Celts, Romans, Angles and Vikings all settled across the district leaving evidence of their presence in Roman forts, Viking crosses and in place names with Nordic elements such as ‘thwaite’ meaning clearing and ‘beck’ meaning stream.