Special Qualities

9 of the best

There is no doubt that the Rusland Valley and Fells are a very special place for the people who live and work in the area and who visit it. We have distilled what people value about the Rusland Horizons scheme area into the following nine special qualities:

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Opportunities for quiet enjoyment

The tranquillity of the low fells with their extensive views, open valleys, shaded woodland and sparse settlement gives a sense of space and freedom. ‘The calm scenery refreshes the soul’.

Current threats: Changes in land management; Developmental pressure; Loss of community culture and identity; Visitor pressure; Climate change; Invasive alien species, pests and diseases.

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Extensive semi-natural woodlands

Semi-natural woodlands add texture, colour and variety to the landscape and are a haven for wildlife. Wood pasture, orchards, pollards and old coppice woodland contain one of the greatest concentrations of ancient trees in Europe and form a living record of past land use.

The area also contains remnants of ancientTemperate Rainforest - one of the rarest woodland habitats in the world.

Current threats: Changes in land management; Rural policy change; Limited employment opportunities, loss of traditional skills; Climate change; Invasive alien species, pests and diseases.

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Wealth of habitats and wildlife

The rich mosaic of habitats provides important regulating ecosystem services which help to mitigate the effects of climate change. Habitats include upland oak woodland, upland and lowland hay meadows and upland flushes, lowland raised bog, fens, mosses and rivers.

Current threats: Changes in land management; Rural policy change; Limited employment opportunities, loss of traditional skills; Visitor pressure; Climate change; Invasive alien species, pests and diseases.

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Rich industrial archaeology

This is a cultural landscape of considerable antiquity, which is particularly rich in industrial archaeology and provides evidence of the area’s dependence on its woodlands. Natural resources – wood and water power were used to smelt iron, manufacture bobbins and gunpowder and drive the mills.

Current threats: Changes in land management; Rural policy change; Developmental pressure; Loss of community culture and identity; Climate change; Visitor pressure.

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Working cultural landscape

The landscape reflects a long history of settlement, agriculture and woodland industry, including an evolved communal farming system and coppice coupes and forestry plantation still in use today.

Current threats: Changes in land management; Rural policy change; Limited employment opportunities, loss of traditional skills; Developmental pressure; Loss of community culture and identity; Climate change.

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Distinctive buildings and settlement character

There is a distinctive settlement character comprising of hamlets, villages, country houses and isolated farmsteads. Characterised by vernacular buildings of a simple functional character, often rugged in appearance and using local materials, the area is also home to fine examples of villa architecture.

Current threats: Changes in land management; Rural policy change; Limited employment opportunities and loss of traditional skills; Developmental pressure; Housing Pressure; Climate change.

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Strong local communities

Communities with a strong sense of local identity and responsibility: people working together to sustain and develop local heritage assets and traditions. Minor place names such as Pennington Intake and Rigg Wood reveal the links between local families and the landscape.

Current threats: Rural policy change; Limited employment opportunities, loss of traditional skills; Fuel poverty; Housing pressure; Developmental pressure; Visitor pressures; Loss of community culture and identity; Climate change.

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Source of cultural inspiration

The Rusland Horizons area is distinctive wooded and pastoral landscape of harmonious beauty which has inspired generations of writers and artists. Their works have influenced changes in the relationship between humans and the landscape, including recognising the value of landscape for spiritual refreshment and personal development.

Current threats: Changes in land management; Limited employment opportunities, loss of traditional skills; Developmental pressure; Visitor pressure; Climate change; Invasive alien species, pests and diseases.

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Opportunities for outdoor recreation

The area provides opportunities for a variety of sporting and recreational activities. Outdoor centres, based on the shores of Windermere and Coniston, offer programmes to a diverse range of visiting groups. The forest trails and bridleways are popular with mountain-bikers and the secluded woods and open fells are favoured by walkers seeking solitude.

Current threats: Visitor pressure; Climate change; Invasive alien species, pests and diseases.

Our projects are making a difference!

Local people, agencies and visitors are working together to revive traditional skills, and to learn about, enhance and enjoy the heritage, habitats and wildlife of this quiet and very special place.

Learn more about our projects

Special Qualities

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Rusland Horizons

Rusland Horizons was a Landscape Partnership funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund until July 2019.

Website by The Creative Branch