So, how do you make the Lake District 'change and diversify' because it is too heavily weighted toward 'white middle-class able-bodied people'?

[Nanny0gg]

Richard Leafe, the Cumbria park's chief executive, said the Unesco World Heritage site must change to merit continued public funding.

I mean, it's mountains and lakes. What can you do?

And isn't that a tad patronising as well?

*Predominantly workington ,Whitehaven etc..not strictly central core lakes tourism area but not a million miles away

grin come off it Arnold. There's a world of difference between Workington and Windermere.*

Well as you will know,there isnt that much mileage between say, Workington and Keswick which is considered lakeland territory. Even less miles between workington and Bassenthwaite or cockermouth. I know people in Wukin'tun have a big downer on the town but i think it has a lot going for it and best of all,well its just down the road from "the lakes" ,the coast isnt far away etc.

The M6Windermere road, is the main gateway, so inevitably that's the busier part of the entire Lake District, thus the crowds, etc.

Such a shame that the railways are so poor because there are loads of areas of the Lake District more easily accessed from the coastal railway line stations which would spread out the visitors and improve the economy. (Not to mention the now closed Keswick railway line which could have been yet another gateway).

Too much concentration in a few areas near the roads has meant they've become too commercialised at the expense of huge expanses of countryside, lakes, villages, etc which have poor infrastructure, few shops and other facilities etc.

We really do desperately need massively improved and expanded public transport systems outside the few biggest cities.

This is a fab sounding business opening in October in a quieter part of the lakes - disabled access and facilities seem to be high in their priorities.
I pass this train and station regularly, and look forward to watching its renovation.

...forgot the link!
www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/18134095.orient-express-train-become-cafe/

We recently took the dogs down to a very popular huge natural beach area on the South Coast, it is not wheelchair friendly. It is an easy run from London and attracts lots of walkers mainly from the city. Having seem this thread I took note of the visitors and absolutely everyone was white and mostly looked middle class. I started to wander why such a small section of society goes. I think I go because I have always gone to the coast in the winter and it was drilled in to me at a very young age that walking in the rain against a gale force wind freezing to death is "fun" and in some way "worthy". It's a bit like that smugness people get when they go for a very early morning walk and loudly greet their fellow early risers. I am still not sure if I actually enjoy going or if it is just an ingrained habbit.

Having seem this thread I took note of the visitors and absolutely everyone was white and mostly looked middle class. I started to wander why such a small section of society goes.

They probably just enjoy it so choose to go.

I am still not sure if I actually enjoy going or if it is just an ingrained habbit.

If the habit wasn't delivering you some enjoyment or satisfaction, you'd have broken it. You go because at some level, you enjoy it. I went for a walk on a beach yesterday, cold but not that windy, I wouldn't have done it unless I loved the views, sea at my feet/wellies. There are many things I was brought up to do but I don't enjoy, and guess what, I don't do them!

Well, maybe that's how it is - white middle class go hill walking, other don't. So the funding needs to be reduced - but for hillwalkers that would prob be ok, fewer sightseers, more walkers.
The spare money can then go to interests of minority groups in the UK and good luck to working out what that is without offending someone

Years ago the working classes went to the beaches by train e.g. Southend on Sea.

I'm sure they still do

@woodhill

Yes, but trains are expensive and unreliable now. You are relying on Northern Fail to get you to Windermere. If the trains are actually running it’s c£100 for a family of 4. To Windermere from Manchester.

Hiking did used to be a popular working class activity, it got the industrial workers out of the filthy cities on their day off.

I used to run a tourist attraction in a place (North Wales) that offers typically middle class activities (hill walking, visiting the national park, cycling etc) and areas that the working classes have traditionally come to for their caravan/beach holidays. Both groups come for different reasons and do different things.

It's not a problem to anybody.

I should add that some beaches are notably 'working class' beaches and always have been. But you'll also find beaches frequented mostly by the middle classes who have visited those places for generations ...So sometimes it's just a question of tradition.

Think about Abersoch and Rhyl for example. Same activity, very different demographic.

We went to Blackpool yesterday. Fair number of Asian families, not so many Black but that's Lancashire for you. I realised there's a Halal hotel near the Pleasure Beach which is going to be reassuring for Muslim families, as well as the usual takeaways that have a Halal logo.
Also though less of an issue in the Lakes, the water park allows burkinis.
You are not likely to venture for a holiday if you aren't sure you can eat the food or wear what you normally wear.

If you have not grown up doing outdoor stuff you won't naturally think of doing it as a holiday. Worse, if your family has a history of being refugees, you would not think "walking over hills" or "sleeping in a tent" were fun.

Well, maybe that's how it is - white middle class go hill walking, other don't. So the funding needs to be reduced - but for hillwalkers that would prob be ok, fewer sightseers, more walkers.
The spare money can then go to interests of minority groups in the UK and good luck to working out what that is without offending someone

Then you have the problem of whether the middle classes are actually buying into the tax regime given that they tend to not benefit from much of the state's offerings,. e.g. child benefit.

Mind you, I know nothing about how UNESCO funding works.

What a load of bigots and narrow minded people have jumped on here. I'm so ashamed this is my country.

“Then you have the problem of whether the middle classes are actually buying into the tax regime given that they tend to not benefit from much of the state's offerings,. e.g. child benefit.”

Absolutely this and something that is often overlooked on mumsnet. Perhaps the politicians are cleverer than you think. Remove all state subsidies for those who are net contributors and see how they vote....
Social housing is a prime example of this - most people won’t get anywhere near subsidised housing so it isn’t of interest to them (very different from how things were pre 1979).

That's weird considering I think that social housing is critically important since people should be able to live near where they work in any part of the country.
There needs to be a safety net considering domestic abuse, job losses and disability could affect anyone.
Also just because someone isn''t economically active doesn't mean they aren't supporting those who are.
I myself am a person who if it wasn't for DH would be about 1 year away from possible homelessness and singing for my supper at the DWP as to (a) why I haven't got a job yet and (b) that I'm 'not autistic enough'.

Bit of a digression but I think that widening the demographic is a ood thing for sustainability since the next generation of all backgrounds and locations need to be able to access and be good stewards of this landscape.

Yes, cold muddy walks up steep hills in the rain isn't for everyone - but you should try it first THEN make up your mind.

I meant to add that I have three degrees and am in the top 5% for earnings - doesn't mean it's easy to get a job or keep employment.

Tbh most people have cars anyway one

Althyough there is a case for keeping humans out of the countryside surely to let animals thrive - the National Trust too over whether uplands are best allowed to revert to nature of if we should let sheep stay on them as they have been on them for 5000 years.

@JohnMcCainsDeathStare

Yes, but the rules changed in 1979. We’re really derailing the thread here but now that social housing is only for certain people it isn’t a priority for most voters - as they don’t stand a chance of getting a subsidised property. It’s a shame, given why they were built in the first place.

The issue is promotion of these activities in minority communities.

There is a tradition of hill walking and rambling in white, middle class families. There is a strong association with the countryside equalling relaxation.

That is not true in every culture. Cultural attitudes to the countryside differ. So unless you are going to change those then you’ll struggle with diversity.

I agree that everything needs to be accessible (transport cost, wheelchair access etc). But do we have to have a certain proportion of people from diverse backgrounds doing everything?

It does come off a bit like cultural imperialism- we think hill walking is good and so should you. Why don’t you hill walk, it’s a really British thing to do?

Tbh most people have cars anyway

A lot of people don't. In my area only 50% of households have access to a car.

We're the sort of people who used to get a train to Blackpool for our holidays.

Now people get a plane to Spain. It's cheaper and the weather's more reliable.

I'm not sure cars, or lack thereof, are the biggest issue. People have limited money and limited holidays. For many a Mediterranian break is a better bet.

@weesleekit

That’s a really good point. The introduction of cheap package holidays to Spain etc in the late 70s.

Most people I know have cars whatever their finances.

There are also coaches and my dd used to use that car share thing

there is a case for keeping humans out of the countryside surely to let animals thrive - the National Trust too over whether uplands are best allowed to revert to nature of if we should let sheep stay on them as they have been on them for 5000 years

Are you really this ignorant about our countryside? Human actions encouraged the growth in sheep (and deer) numbers over thousands of years because we wanted to farm and hunt them. Humans hunted to extinction the predators that used to exist in the UK such as lynx and wolves, and in the present day farmers illegally kill raptors which they believe threaten their lambs.

The effects of the excessive grazing of sheep and deer on the upland areas of the UK is a human impact, not natural and not at all good for the land.