The Lake District National Park is located in the north-west of England and is the largest of the English National Parks and the second largest in the United Kingdom. It is in the central and most-visited part of the Lake District.
The National Park was formed in 1951 to protect the landscape by restricting unwelcome change from industry or commerce. Almost all of the land in the Park is in private ownership, with small areas belonging to the National Trust. In common with all other National Parks in England, there is no restriction on entry to or movement within the park along public routes, but access to cultivated land is usually restricted to public footpaths.
The highest mountains in England are within the Park boundary.
The lakes and mountains combine to form impressive scenery unique to this corner of England. Farmland, hill and settlement add aesthetic value to the natural scenery with an ecology modified by human influence for millennia and including important wildlife habitats.
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The lakes and rivers are cool and mainly unpolluted. The level of nutrients in the water of different lakes varies providing varied habitats for different plant and animal species. Charr, crayfish, schelly and vendace are found in different lakes.
In December 2009, Natural England proposed extending the national park in the direction of the Yorkshire Dales National Park[1]. The proposal was opposed by Cumbria County Council who said it would lead to less democratic control and would make local housing less affordable. [2]
Below the tree line are wooded areas, including British and European native oak woodlands and introduced softwood plantations. The woodlands provide habitats for native English wildlife. The native red squirrel is found in the Lake District and in a few other parts of England. In parts of the Lake District the rainfall is higher than in any other part of England. This gives Atlantic mosses, ferns, lichen and liverworts the chance to grow. There is some ancient woodland in the national Park. Woodlands are differently managed: some are coppiced, some pollarded, some left to grow naturally, and some provide grazing and shelter.