With a naturalist’s eye and a poet’s instinct, acclaimed nature writer Jim Crumley traces the place of our first and most famous National Park in the evolution of global conservation and pleads the case for a far-reaching reappraisal of its wildness. Books of the Year, Mark Avery The Lake District is one of England’s busiest national parks. Many people believe that wildness is long gone from the fells, lakes, tarns and becks, yet, within its boundaries, Jim Crumley sets out to prove them wrong—to find “a new way of seeing and writing about this most seen and written about of landscapes." With a naturalist’s eye and a poet’s instinct, he is drawn to Lakeland’s turned-aside places where nature still thrives, from low-lying shores to a high mountain oakwood that is not even on the map. Through backwaters and backwoods, Crumley traces this captivating land’s place in the evolution of global conservation and pleads the case for a far-reaching reappraisal of all of Lakeland’s wildness.

'I found myself turning the pages with an inward leap of joy' - Isabella Tree *WINNER of the Richard Jefferies Award for Nature Writing* *Shortlisted for the James Cropper Wainwright Prize for Conservation* 'Exquisite' GUARDIAN It was a tragic day for the nation's wildlife when England's last and loneliest golden eagle died in an unmarked spot among the remote eastern fells of the Lake District. But the fight to restore the landscape had already begun. Lee Schofield, ecologist and site manager for RSPB Haweswater, is leading efforts to breathe life back into two hill farms and their thirty square kilometres of sprawling upland habitat. Informed by the land, its turbulent history and the people who have shaped it, Lee and his team are repairing damaged wetlands, meadows and woods. Each year, the landscape is becoming richer, wilder and better able to withstand the shocks of a changing climate. But in the contested landscape of the Lake District, change is not always welcomed, and success relies on finding a balance between rewilding and respecting cherished farming traditions. This is not only a story of an ecosystem in recovery, it is also the story of Lee's personal connection to place, and the highs and lows of working for nature amid fierce opposition.

Swimming Wild in the Lake District by Suzanna Cruickshank is an informative and inspiring book for both new and experienced wild swimmers, exploring the larger lakes in the beautiful Lake District National Park. The book explores secluded wild swimming locations in the tourist hotspots of Windermere and Derwent Water and takes you to the tranquil hidden gems of Bassenthwaite, Crummock Water and Devoke Water, with the emphasis on taking time to enjoy the stunning surroundings. Imagine yourself gliding through clear, still water, surrounded by rugged fells, with only the sound of birdsong to accompany you. The book is full of useful tips for both new and experienced wild swimmers; it contains sections on getting started in wild swimming, how to look after your own safety and impartial advice on all the essential kit you'll need, as well as what you don't need. Illustrated with stunning photography, and featuring overview maps, the book has all the practical information you need to plan your wild swimming adventure, including access to the lakes by car or public transport where possible, thorough information about the best wild swimming locations on all the featured lakes and details of the best pubs and cafes for a much-needed post-swim drink or meal. Suzanna vividly describes her wild swimming experiences and brings the characteristics of each lake to life. Whether you're an experienced wild swimmer or just dipping your toes in the water for the first time you'll find plenty to inspire your next adventure.

This book uses some of the poetry of William Wordsworth to examine the changed aesthetic of landscape at the heart of the Romantic Era. Wordsworth was the greatest figure of the English Lake District and his work looked forward to the conservationist and environmental movement of the modern era.

“If you have been still enough for long enough, your eyes will have attuned and begun to read the seasurge fluently, so you recognize the blunt curve and flourished tail of a diving otter. Home your eyes in on that portion of the sea, permit nothing else to move, and you will see the otter eel-catching, resurfacing.” It is a special privilege and a richly rewarding experience to observe a wild animal hunting, interacting with its young or its mate, exploring its habitat, or escaping a predator. To watch wildlife, it’s essential not only to learn an animal’s ways, the times and places you may find it, but also to station yourself, focus, and wait. The experience depends on your stillness, silence, and full attention, watching and listening with minimal movement so that your presence is not sensed. With decades of close observation of wild animals and birds, Jim Crumley has found himself up close and personal with many of our most elusive creatures, studying their movements, noting details, and offering intimate insights into their extraordinary lives. Here, he draws us into his magical world, showing how we can learn to watch wildlife well.

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