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Illegal campers continue to light fires and destroy trees in Lake District beauty spots

18 Jul 2025

Illegal campers continue to hack down trees and light fires at some of Cumbria’s most iconic beauty spots around Thirlmere and Haweswater.

2025 has seen an increase in the number of ‘fly campers’ using popular sites and with the school holiday set to start, United Utilities is reminding people that camping isn’t permitted on its land.

The reminder comes as a previous camper has been successfully fined for breaching the public spaces protection order and causing unnecessary damage to the landscape.

United Utilities Woodland Officer Andrew Wright explained: “Unfortunately we regularly find trees that have been hacked down by wild campers. They then attempt to use this wood to light fires. As well as destroying habitats, they are also creating a fire risk which is extremely dangerous.”

During the past few weeks, Andrew and his team have found dozens of trees that have been destroyed for use in campfires.

The activity is further threatening some Sites of Special Scientific Interest, some of which are still recovering from fires caused by illegal campers in the summer of 2021.

Andrew added: “As well as destroying young healthy trees, people have also cut down standing dead trees.  Although these trees may be dead, it is important that they are left in place as they are an important resource for wildlife. Insects will make their home in these trees, and they are used by birds such as woodpeckers and play host to numerous species of lichen and mosses.

“We work together with the council, National Park and other partners to engage with visitors and remind them that camping is only allowed in designated areas and urge them to leave only footprints.”

Camping outside designated campsites is illegal in the Lake District and is not permitted on United Utilities estates.

The water company supports the National Park’s Safer Lakes partnership which sees local emergency services, landowners, conservation charities and volunteers work to tackle issues across the area.