The Lake District is England's largest National Park and it's most beautiful, with an enchanting mix of lakes, forests and mountains known as fells. Carved out by glaciers from past ice ages, a series of valleys radiate like spokes from the highest central fells. In more recent times the Vikings and other settlers cleared many of the forests, and grazing stock have maintained the open character of the Lakeland fells. Many of these valleys host the Lakes for which the area is famous. |  |  | The Lake District has long been known for it's associations with the arts - and in particular poets such as Wordsworth, De Quincy and Coleridge, who were inspired by the quality of the landscape and the subtle variations in light and tone. | | In more recent times, the area has become well-known as a centre for leisure and recreation. The birthplace of rock climbing in Britain, the Lakeland crags provided the Victorians not only with training for climbing in the Alps, but also with a sport in it's own right - in many ways typified by Walter Parry Haskett-Smith's ascent of the famous Napes Needle in 1886. Rock climbing forms only a small part of what the region has to offer, with many more gentle pursuits such as canoeing on the lakes, walking the fells and dales, and watching wildlife attracting people from around the world. |  |  | Lakes Challenge events take place amongst some of the world's finest scenery - inspirational landscapes which will go a long way towards making your event so memorable. |  |  |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 07 December 2006 )
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