Why the Lake District is a popular choice for Royals and Prime Ministers

Yahoo

11-05-2025

Following the Princess of Wales' visit to the Lake District in April, we take a look at why the area appeals to Royals and often Prime Ministers.
Kate Middleton, who is Joint President of Scouts, met with Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields near the shores of Lake Windermere where they spent time with a group of Scouts aged between 10 and 15.
The 'secret' visit also produced a video where the pair discuss the importance of nature for health and wellbeing, alongside how spending time in nature can help people to deepen connections with themselves and each other while building skills of empathy, resilience and a sense of belonging.
King Charles is also very vocal about his love for the area, making annual trips to the Lake District to visit his favourite places in Cumbria.
King Charles has an affinity for the Lake District (Image: PA) Julia Aglionby, executive director of the Foundation for Common Land, said: 'In Cumbria over 20 years we have developed a special relationship with our new King. As Prince of Wales, since 2001 the King made almost annual visits to Cumbria.
"His stays with Joe and Hazel Relph developed an abiding love for Borrowdale and the communities, farmers and commoners who live and work in the Lakes.'
In March 2018 the then Prince of Wales visited the Lake District to unveil its official UNESCO World Heritage Plaque at the National Trust's Crow Park in Keswick.
The current Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer is also one who doesn't hide his affinity for the Lakes, talking about the region in a speech at the Labour Party conference last year.
Sir Kier Starmer tell a memorable story about a time in the Lake District (Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire) In the speech, Sir Keir talked about his mother's 'love' for the Lake District and regaled the conference with a humorous anecdote about when he took his family to visit the cottage he used to stay in as a child.
He said: 'We walked up to the cottage and the couple who live there now came out.
'When we told them why we were there, they said, well, come inside and take a walk down memory lane. So, we did.
'We came back outside and were chatting and then the woman stopped suddenly and said, 'someone's nicking your car' and I said, 'that's the police moving the car'.
'At this point, her husband comes in and he says, 'You haven't clocked, have you? He's the leader of the opposition, a politician.'
'She stopped, smiled, laughed and said politely, 'if I'd known you were a politician, I'd have pushed you down the stairs when I had the chance.'"
Sir Keir said that the story represented 'the beauty of the Lake District and the heart of the British people, in a nutshell.'
The current Labour Party leader isn't the only Prime Minister who has love for the region, Former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron.
David Cameron frequents visits to the Lake District (Image: PA) Mr Cameron has a well-documented affection for Cumbria, where he often spends holidays with his family, enjoying the serene surroundings and outdoor activities.
The region serves as a family-friendly holiday location for the former PM, and highlights the affinity that people in power have for the Lake District.
It is easy to see why the area is a great place for Royalty and Leaders to unwind, with the connection to nature through hikes and activities allows them to relax and de-stress from the highly scrutinised positions they hold.