Living In the National Park

Far Sawrey Conservation Area

Farming in the Lake District National Park

We have carried out an Appraisal of Far Sawrey Conservation Area. The draft Appraisal assesses the special qualities which justify its designation and helps to determine whether any alterations in the boundary need to be made. A draft Management Plan has also been prepared outlining the measures for the preservation and enhancement of the area.

We would like comments on the draft Appraisal from local residents, local stakeholders and interest groups.

Why is Far Sawrey special?

Far Sawrey is a small village located on the historic trade route between Hawkshead and Kendal with attractive architectural and historic character. This includes:

Cottage in Far Sawrey
  • St Peter’s Church, one of the few churches in the area
  • Buildings predominantly date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries and include good examples of the vernacular tradition, together with buildings in the Arts and Crafts and the Vernacular Revival styles
  • Palette of  building materials reflects the underlying geology, carboniferous limestone and slatestone
  • Domestic buildings either constructed from rubble stone concealed beneath a render coat, or from slatestone with ashlar dressings
  • Associated neighbouring village of Near Sawrey
  • Settlement developed along a ‘spring line’
  • Historic lanes extend to the north and to the south of the village. Cuckoo Brow Lane runs northwards to Moss Eccles Tarn and Claife Heights, and a further lane runs south to the crossing of Cunsey Beck at Cunsey Bridge
  • Rural location set on the edge of a shallow valley containing Wilfin Beck
  • Dispersed settlement of farmsteads and houses surrounded by irregularly shaped fields
  • Many buildings with architectural and historic quality, five of which are grade II listed buildings, and many others which make a positive contribution to the area’s historic character and appearance
  • Significant long views westwards to Near Sawrey and to the Coniston Hills
  • Outstanding long views eastwards to Lake Windermere
  • Grass verges along the lanes and fields enhance the relationship between Far Sawrey and the surrounding landscape;
  • Important areas of native hedgerow, individual trees and tree groups
  • Network of public footpaths link the village to the surrounding countryside

Public consultation

The involvement of local community, stakeholders and those with an interest in the local area in the designation of a conservation area and in the preparation of appraisals and management plans is an essential part of the process. Such involvement can integrate local knowledge into the appraisal and bring invaluable public understanding and ownership to proposals for the conservation area. The initial appraisal and management plan are draft documents to enable them to be amended if required.

Each appraisal and management plan involves a four week period of consultation during which time an exhibition will be held in the local area for the public.

Find out more

Far Sawrey Draft Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (opens Document Library)

Read more about the benefits of Conservation Areas and the Appraisals process.

To comment

We want to hear the views of local people, organisations and businesses and other interest groups about the proposed conservation area.

Please give us your views using the Conservation Area Assessment Questionnaire (opens Document Library). Please download and either print out and send to:

David James
Lake District National Park Authority
Murley Moss
Oxenholme Road
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 7RL

or email as an attachment to david.james@lake-district.gov.uk by 25 July 2008

Exhibition

A local exhibition has been arranged at Braithwaite Hall on:

  • Tuesday 8 July 2008 10am to 2pm
  • Tuesday 15 July 2008 4pm to 8pm

Someone will be available at the exhibition if you have any questions.

If you can't make it, don't worry! You can look at the Far Sawrey Conservation Area Exhibition Panels online (opens Document Library)