THE history of walking and climbing in the Lake District is the subject of a new exhibition, set to open this weekend.

On Saturday March 11, the Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry, in Kendal, unveils Fun on the Fells.

Tracing the story from early aristocratic climbers and working class ramblers to the designation of the National Park, the show features collections from the museum and objects and artefacts on loan from the Fell and Rock Climbing Club.

Exhibition curator Rachel Roberts says: "Walking and climbing are enjoyed by millions across the UK, especially in the Lake District, which has some of the most beautiful fells and rock faces in the country.

"But we often forget that these pastimes, and our right to do them, came from daring pioneers and political movements who weren’t afraid to push boundaries and challenge the status quo.


"This exhibition tells their story from early rock climbers, working class rambler’s clubs, and mass trespasses to the millions of modern day tourists who flock to the area."

Though the origins of the sport are unknown, people were climbing in the Alps in the late 1700s and in the Lake District since John Atkinson scaled Pillar Rock, Ennerdale, in 1826. By the 1880s, the sport had grown in popularity and in 1906 the Fell and Rock Climbing Club was formed at the Sun Inn, in Coniston.

The right to roam has also been an important issue since the 1700s and this exhibition charts the story of our right to walk in the Lake District and across the nation.

The Kinder Trespass of 1932 was the culmination of many years of frustration and disagreements. Although many walkers did not agree with this form of direct action it paved the way for the millions of miles of footpaths and access land that give us all access to the countryside today.

The Fell and Rock Climbing Club has loaned a number of artefacts and objects to the exhibition, including an intriguing case from the top of pillar rock, where Victorian climbers would leave their calling card to mark their achievement. The North West Film Archive has contributed a personal and touching photo diary of one climber’s trips along with engaging footage of both early climbers and ramblers.

These appear alongside dozens of other objects from boots and ropes to guide books and maps.

Fun on the Fells opens on Saturday March 11, and runs until Saturday October 28, 2017. The Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry is open Monday to Saturday from 10.30am to 5pm.