Lake District named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

And now UNESCO has announced that the Lake District has been awarded coveted World Heritage Site status.

The Cumbrian national park joins iconic global sites such as the Taj Mahal, Grand Canyon and Stonehenge on the prestigious list.

Lord Clark of Windermere, who chaired the Lake District's bid, said the decision to recognise the region's culture, art and literature, as well as its landscape, was "momentous".

He said: "It is this exceptional blend which makes our Lake District so spectacularly unique and we are delighted Unesco has agreed.

"A great many people have come together to make this happen and we believe the decision will have long and lasting benefits for the spectacular Lake District landscape, the 18 million visitors we welcome every year and for the people who call the National Park their home."