Lake District
© National Trust
Help us to rescue three of the Lakes most romantic and historically important properties - before it's too late.
Unless we act quickly, you may never get to experience them as they were meant to be. Sadly, these once glorious places have fallen into disuse or simply been damaged by the elements and the passage of time.
We have a unique but very limited opportunity to rescue Claife, Allan Bank and the wider landscape at Aira Force from obscurity.
Read on to find out more about why we urgently need your help.
Donate now
We urgently need your help
If we can raise the necessary funds, we can save all three of these culturally important sites and make them accessible to the public, providing wonderful experiences for visitors to the Lakes.
Claife Viewing Station
Commanding stunning views over Lake Windermere, this Grade 2 listed building is a precious relic of the Picturesque and Romantic movements. However, the building is a crumbling shell in imminent danger of collapse.
Allan Bank
Few visitors to Grasmere realise that this villa was once home to William Wordsworth who drew inspiration from the views. The house today lies empty and in disrepair and the gardens are over grown, blocking the views.
Aira Force
A century ago, this waterfall was surrounded by acres of wooded pleasure grounds and miles of meandering footpaths. These days the arboretum is obscured by invasive trees and the gardens and footpaths are in disrepair.
How you can help Claife
- £20 would buy us a pane of antique glass for the station cottage
- £50 could buy a step for the viewing platform
- £150 could help pay to make one square metre of exterior wall secure
How you can help Allan Bank
- £20 could pay for a tree to help restore Wordsworth's garden
- £75 could pay to renew 1m of ornate ceiling cornice
- £100 could pay for 1m square of lime plaster to timber lathes
How you can help Aira Force
- £10 could pay for the material for 1m of wooden railing
- £30 could pay for the removal of one invasive tree from the arboretum
- £200 could pay to build 2m of footpath
© National Trust / Jenny Sutton
Lake District prize draw
Win the chance to see Claife, Allan Bank and Aira Force and the difference your money is making.
As one of 10 lucky winners, we'll take you - and a guest - on a fascinating private tour of these forgotten gems of the Lake District.