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Riverlands: working to restore Cumbria's waterways

A view of Watendlath Beck Borrowdale, Lake District
A view of Watendlath Beck Borrowdale | © National Trust Images/John Malley

Rivers are life forces. They’ve helped sustain ecosystems, cultures and communities for millennia, their quiet power steadily shaping everything from landscapes to place names. But many of our rivers are under threat from climate change, pollution, and human-made changes to the landscapes and waterways, which is why the National Trust launched Riverlands.

The Cumbria Riverlands project stretches from Keswick in the north to Kendal in the south, across the central fells and finally out to sea. It encompasses the rivers themselves, the land which drains into them, and the rich array of wildlife and plants that call these varied habitats home. Together, these make up our ‘riverlands’.

Working with partners, our aim is to restore rivers and catchments to be healthy, clean and rich in wildlife; easily accessed and valued for their heritage and beauty; and with sustainable plans for their long term care.  We’ll post regular updates of the work we’re doing here, on this project timeline, so keep checking back to stay up to date.

Cumbria Riverlands Project

23 June 2025

Partnership working in Newlands Valley

Recently we’ve been working with West Cumbria Rivers Trust and the Woodland Trust on a project to support nature-friendly farming on land in Newlands Valley.

The farm, which is privately owned, has been incorporating various approaches to working with nature over the last few years with the support of WCRT and the WT. This year our Riverlands rangers were invited to lend their practical expertise to the project with the creation of a series of ponds.

These new features will boost biodiversity, provide reliable water sources for both wildlife and livestock, and contribute to natural flood management through storing more water in the landscape and slowing the flow into Newlands Beck.

It was also a great warm-up for our team as they head into a busy summer of practical project delivery!

Diggers excavating ponds in Newlands Valley
Diggers excavating ponds in Newlands Valley | © NT / Elysia Bashford