England’s Lake District has been added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites, after requests dating back to 1986. It’s the first of the UK’s National Parks added to the list.
The decision, made by the UNESCO committee at its recent meeting in Krakow, adds the famed district to a list that already includes the city of Bath, the Tower of London, Canterbury Cathedral and the Giant’s Causeway. Lord Clark of Windermere, who chaired the bid, said the decision was based on the area’s noted contributions to art and literature as well as its landscape.
Among its attractions are England’s largest natural lake, Windermere, and its highest mountain, Scafell Pike. About 18 million people visit the Lake District annually, supporting thousands of jobs. The UNESCO committee suggested that the impact of this tourism be monitored, and asked for improvements in conservation plans.
