G28: Glacial Tourism and Management
Economic activities in glaciated upland areas, conflicts between different land uses, and management strategies with a case study of the Lake District National Park.
🏔️ Why are Glaciated Uplands Attractive?
Key Concept: Glaciated upland landscapes are attractive for tourism, recreation and economic development because of their dramatic scenery, distinctive landforms and sense of wilderness. However, their fragile environments and limited accessibility create challenges.
Glaciated uplands offer:
- Dramatic scenery: Corries, arêtes, U-shaped valleys, waterfalls and ribbon lakes create outstanding natural beauty
- Recreation opportunities: Walking, climbing, sailing, mountain biking, skiing and wildlife watching
- Cultural heritage: Associations with poets (Wordsworth), writers (Beatrix Potter) and artists
- Quarrying potential: Valuable building materials like slate, granite and limestone
- Water supply: Deep valleys ideal for reservoir construction
- Forestry: Coniferous plantations on lower slopes for timber production
- Hill farming: Hardier breeds of sheep can graze the upland pastures
💰 Economic Activities in Glaciated Uplands
Tourism
- The largest economic activity in most glaciated uplands
- Attracts millions of visitors annually, creating jobs in hospitality, retail and outdoor activities
- Walking and hiking are the most popular activities
- Secondary spend on accommodation, food, equipment and souvenirs
- Tourism can support local services (pubs, shops, transport) that residents also depend on
Key Fact: The Lake District receives approximately 18 million visitors per year, generating an estimated £1.4 billion for the local economy and supporting around 18,000 jobs. Tourism accounts for roughly 40% of the Lake District's economy.
Farming
- Hill farming (sheep rearing) is the traditional land use on upland fells
- Hardy breeds like Herdwick sheep are adapted to the harsh conditions
- Farming maintains the open landscape that visitors expect to see
- Without grazing, bracken and scrub would encroach, changing the appearance
- Farm incomes are often very low, dependent on EU subsidies (now replaced by UK rural payments)
Quarrying and Mining
- Slate quarrying has a long history (e.g., Honister Slate Mine in Borrowdale)
- Granite and limestone are extracted for building materials and aggregate
- Historically important (copper mining at Coniston, slate at Honister)
- Modern quarrying creates visual and noise pollution and habitat destruction
- Limited economic importance today but provides specialist building materials
Forestry
- Coniferous plantations (mainly sitka spruce and lodgepole pine) cover some lower slopes
- Provide timber, carbon storage and employment
- However, non-native conifers can look unnatural and reduce biodiversity
- Modern forestry policy favours native broadleaved species where possible
Water Supply and Hydroelectric Power
- Deep glacial valleys are ideal for reservoirs (e.g., Thirlmere, Haweswater, Thirlmere)
- Provide water supplies to major cities (Manchester gets water from Thirlmere and Haweswater)
- Hydroelectric schemes generate renewable energy from fast-flowing upland streams
| Activity | Benefits | Environmental Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism | Jobs; income; supports services | Footpath erosion; traffic; litter; wildlife disturbance |
| Hill farming | Maintains landscape; local food; cultural heritage | Overgrazing; water pollution from run-off |
| Quarrying | Employment; building materials; heritage | Visual pollution; noise; habitat loss; dust |
| Forestry | Timber; carbon storage; employment | Non-native species; reduced biodiversity; acidification |
| Water supply | Clean water; HEP; flood control | Habitat flooded; altered river flows; visual impact of dams |
⚔️ Land Use Conflicts
Key Concept: The multiple uses of glaciated uplands create conflicts between different interest groups. Tourists, farmers, conservationists, quarrying companies, foresters and local residents all want different things from the same landscape.
| Conflict | Group A | Group B | Nature of Conflict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourists vs Conservation | Visitors want access to fells and lakes | Conservationists want to protect habitats | Footpath erosion; wildlife disturbance; litter |
| Tourists vs Locals | Visitors want second homes and holiday cottages | Locals need affordable housing | House prices driven up; communities hollowed out |
| Farming vs Conservation | Farmers need to graze sheep on fells | Conservationists want rewilding and tree planting | Overgrazing vs natural regeneration |
| Quarrying vs Tourism | Quarry companies want to extract minerals | Tourism depends on unspoiled scenery | Visual/noise pollution damages tourism appeal |
| Forestry vs Landscape | Forestry needs productive conifer plantations | Visitors want open fells and native woodland | Conifers look unnatural; block views |
| Water supply vs Environment | Water companies need reservoirs | Reservoirs flood valleys and alter ecosystems | Habitat loss; altered river flows downstream |
Example: Second Homes Controversy
In the Lake District, approximately 25% of homes in some villages are second homes or holiday lets. This drives up house prices beyond what local people can afford - the average house price in the Lake District is over 10 times the local median salary. Young people are forced to leave, creating ageing communities and labour shortages. During winter, some villages become almost empty as holiday homeowners leave. The National Park Authority has limited powers to address this as planning policy is set by local councils.
📍 Case Study: The Lake District National Park
Key Facts: The Lake District National Park was established in 1951 and covers 2,362 km². It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. It receives approximately 18 million visitors per year and has around 42,000 residents.
Management Strategies
National Park Authority
- The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) has two statutory purposes: to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage; and to promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment
- If these purposes conflict, conservation takes priority (the Sandford Principle)
- LDNPA controls planning development to prevent inappropriate building
- Manages car parks, visitor centres and information points
- Employs Rangers to maintain paths and engage with visitors
Footpath Management
- Over 3,000 km of public footpaths, many suffering from severe erosion
- Popular paths like the route up Helvellyn via Striding Edge have eroded to several metres wide
- Strategies include: stone pitching (laying flat stones to create steps), geotextile membranes under gravel, and redirecting paths onto more sustainable routes
- Fix the Fells programme - a partnership between LDNPA, National Trust, Natural England and others - repairs and maintains upland paths
- Volunteer rangers help with path maintenance and visitor education
Traffic Management
- Over 18 million visitors create severe congestion on narrow, winding roads
- Borrowdale, Wasdale and Langdale valleys are particularly affected
- Strategies: park and ride schemes; improved public transport (bus services); car-free zones; cycling promotion; traffic restrictions on narrow lanes
- The LDNPA operates park-and-ride from sites like Brockhole Visitor Centre
Conservation and Biodiversity
- Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) protect key habitats
- Red squirrel conservation at Aira Force and other National Trust sites
- Restoration of native oak woodland along lake shores
- Environmental Stewardship schemes pay farmers for conservation management
- Support for Herdwick sheep farming to maintain the cultural landscape
Sustainable Tourism
- Encouraging off-peak visits to spread the load across the year
- Promoting quieter valleys (Ennerdale, Wasdale) alongside popular ones (Borrowdale)
- Car-free tourism initiatives - encouraging visitors to arrive by train (Oxenholme to Windermere)
- Education programmes to promote responsible behaviour (Countryside Code)
- Green tourism business scheme for sustainable accommodation providers
Example: Fix the Fells Programme
Fix the Fells is a partnership programme that repairs and maintains upland footpaths in the Lake District. Since 2001, it has repaired over 200 paths. Techniques include stone pitching (laying stones to create hard-wearing steps), re-routing paths onto less sensitive routes, and using geotextile membranes to stabilise eroded surfaces. A single metre of stone-pitched path can cost £150-300. The programme costs around £500,000 per year, funded by the National Trust, LDNPA, Natural England and visitor donations. It demonstrates the high cost of managing popular glaciated landscapes sustainably.
⚖️ Evaluating Management Approaches
The Sustainable Tourism Challenge:
The Lake District must balance three competing demands:
1. Economic development - tourism, farming and quarrying provide livelihoods
2. Environmental conservation - protecting habitats, landscapes and biodiversity
3. Social sustainability - maintaining viable communities with affordable housing and services
No single approach can satisfy all three - compromise and integration are essential.
The Lake District must balance three competing demands:
1. Economic development - tourism, farming and quarrying provide livelihoods
2. Environmental conservation - protecting habitats, landscapes and biodiversity
3. Social sustainability - maintaining viable communities with affordable housing and services
No single approach can satisfy all three - compromise and integration are essential.
Exam Tip: When evaluating management in glaciated uplands, always consider whether strategies are sustainable (can they continue long-term?), whether they address all stakeholders' needs, and whether they create new problems. The best approaches are partnerships between different groups.
❓ Practice Questions
Q1: Describe two economic activities in glaciated upland areas. (4 marks)
Q2: Explain why land use conflicts arise in glaciated uplands. (4 marks)
Q3: Using a named glaciated upland area, describe the management strategies used to reduce conflict. (6 marks)
Q4: "Tourism brings more problems than benefits to glaciated upland areas." To what extent do you agree? (9 marks)
✅ Answers
- Tourism is the largest economic activity, with 18 million visitors per year to the Lake District generating £1.4 billion and 18,000 jobs through accommodation, outdoor activities and retail (2 marks). Hill farming (sheep rearing) is the traditional land use, maintaining the open landscape with hardy breeds like Herdwick sheep, though incomes are low and dependent on subsidies (2 marks).
- Land use conflicts arise because multiple groups want different things from the same landscape (1 mark). Tourists want access and facilities, creating footpath erosion, traffic congestion and litter that damages the environment (1 mark). Second homes drive up house prices, forcing local people out of communities (1 mark). Quarrying provides employment but creates visual and noise pollution that reduces the area's appeal for tourism and conservation (1 mark).
- In the Lake District National Park, the LDNPA manages conflicts through several strategies. The Fix the Fells programme repairs eroded footpaths using stone pitching and geotextile membranes, addressing the conflict between tourist access and landscape protection (1 mark). Park and ride schemes and improved bus services reduce traffic congestion while still allowing visitor access (1 mark). Environmental Stewardship schemes pay farmers for conservation management, balancing farming needs with environmental protection (1 mark). Planning controls prevent inappropriate development while allowing necessary economic activity (1 mark). The Sandford Principle ensures conservation takes priority when purposes conflict (1 mark). Partnerships between LDNPA, National Trust, farmers and local businesses help find balanced solutions (1 mark).
- I disagree that tourism brings more problems than benefits. Tourism generates enormous economic benefits - in the Lake District, 18 million visitors create £1.4 billion of income and support 18,000 jobs, providing livelihoods in an area with few alternative employers (1 mark). Tourism supports local services like pubs, shops and buses that permanent residents also depend on (1 mark). The Lake District's UNESCO World Heritage status was partly based on its cultural landscape shaped by visitors (1 mark). However, tourism does create significant problems. Footpath erosion costs around £500,000 per year to repair through Fix the Fells (1 mark). Traffic congestion on narrow roads affects both visitors and residents (1 mark). Second homes and holiday lets price out local people, hollowing out communities (1 mark). Litter, noise and wildlife disturbance degrade the very environment visitors come to enjoy (1 mark). Seasonal employment is often low-paid and insecure (1 mark). On balance, tourism's economic benefits are essential for the Lake District's viability, but they must be managed sustainably to prevent environmental and social damage (1 mark). The key is integrated management that maximises benefits while minimising problems - through initiatives like off-peak visiting, car-free tourism, affordable housing policies and conservation partnerships (1 mark).
🎯 Exam Tips
- Use the Lake District as your main case study - know specific facts (18 million visitors, £1.4 billion, 42,000 residents)
- Always consider BOTH sides of tourism (benefits and problems)
- Know specific management strategies: Fix the Fells, park and ride, Environmental Stewardship, Sandford Principle
- For conflict questions, identify specific groups and explain WHY they disagree
- Link management strategies to the conflicts they address
- Remember the National Park's dual purpose: conservation AND enjoyment
📝 Exam Technique
Geography Exam Tips — Glacial Tourism and Management:
1. For Glacial Tourism and Management questions, always name specific case studies with factual detail
2. Use geographical terminology precisely (e.g. specific processes, not vague descriptions)
3. Consider social, economic and environmental perspectives in your evaluations
4. Support your points about Glacial Tourism and Management with data, statistics or named examples
5. For 'assess' or 'evaluate' questions, reach a clear judgement supported by evidence
1. For Glacial Tourism and Management questions, always name specific case studies with factual detail
2. Use geographical terminology precisely (e.g. specific processes, not vague descriptions)
3. Consider social, economic and environmental perspectives in your evaluations
4. Support your points about Glacial Tourism and Management with data, statistics or named examples
5. For 'assess' or 'evaluate' questions, reach a clear judgement supported by evidence
⚠️ Common Errors
Watch Out!
Students often write vague answers without specific geographical evidence. Wrong: Writing generalised statements like 'it causes problems' Correct: Using specific data and named examples, e.g. 'the 2010 Haiti earthquake killed over 200,000 people due to poor building quality'
Students often confuse causes and effects. Wrong: Mixing up what caused the event with what resulted from it Correct: Clearly separate causes (why it happened) from effects (what happened as a result)
Students often describe rather than evaluate. Wrong: Listing strategies without assessing their effectiveness Correct: Weighing up strengths and weaknesses of each approach and reaching a supported judgement
✍️ Model Answer
Full-Mark Response
6 marks: Explain the key factors affecting glacial tourism and management.
Glacial Tourism and Management involves multiple interconnected factors that geographers must understand. The key concepts include the processes that create and change glacial tourism and management, the impacts on both people and environment, and the strategies used to manage associated challenges. For a comprehensive answer, specific case study evidence should be used throughout, with named examples and data to support each point. Geographical terminology should be used precisely, and the interrelationship between physical and human factors should be demonstrated. Top-level responses evaluate the relative importance of different factors and consider how the situation varies between locations.
Mark scheme: 2 marks for identifying key factors, 2 marks for explaining processes with detail, 2 marks for using specific evidence
📊 AO Deep Dive
Assessment Objective Analysis
AO1 requires knowledge of the key facts and processes related to glacial tourism and management. AO2 demands understanding of how and why these processes operate, and their implications. AO3 asks you to analyse, evaluate and make judgements — this is where grade 9 answers stand out by weighing up competing perspectives and reaching supported conclusions. AO4 may involve interpreting maps, graphs or data related to this topic. To move from grade 5 to grade 9: use precise geographical terminology, support every point with specific case study evidence, and always evaluate rather than just describe.
📝 Exam Questions by Topic
🎬 Video Resources
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