Preserving “one of the finest views in England''.
Since the launch of the new scheme in July 2023, YDMT Grants has awarded over £700,000 to more than 125 projects throughout the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas.
Image - Ruskin's View by Robin Ree
We were delighted to recently award one of our biggest grants to date, to help fund the restoration and re-opening of a key landmark and tourist attraction in Kirkby Lonsdale. The grant of £30,000 will help Kirkby Lonsdale Town Council and fundraising charity The Friends of Ruskin’s View, to restore Ruskin’s View and The Brow footpath, which were both closed in September 2021 due to safety issues.
As one of Kirkby Lonsdale’s most cherished attractions, Ruskin’s View was painted by JMW Turner in 1822. It now welcomes thousands of visitors each year, who take in the famous landmark, described in 1875 by John Ruskin as ‘’One of the finest views in England, and therefore
the world’’.
This view has though, been under threat in recent years. The Brow footpath, from where Ruskin’s View is accessible, has been subsiding towards the river Lune. Concerns over the stability of the steep embankment upon which the footpath is built led Cumbria County Council to close the footpath in 2021.
Image - Clearing vegetation from the path to river level to check for movement by Robin Ree
Mike Burchnall Chair of The Friends of Ruskin’s View said: ‘’As a charity set up to raise funds for the restoration and reopening of the footpath, we welcome this grant from YDMT. When added to the money raised through fundraising events, donations etc, it provides a huge boost to the funds available for the next stage of works.’’
Kirkby Lonsdale Town Council are responsible for both Ruskin’s View and The Brow footpath, and over the last year, the Town Council has been able to reopen the first length of the footpath, which includes Ruskin’s View. The restoration project will now move on to its second phase, and the grant from YDMT will help support the reopening of the whole length of the footpath.
Paul Cassell, the Chairman of the Town Council said: ‘’I am delighted with the grant received from YDMT which is vital in funding the monitoring and a range of physical works that are needed to reopen the whole of the footpath, which is an important local facility.’’
Learn more about YDMT Grants and how they help people, organisations and community groups do great things in and around the Yorkshire Dales: www.ydmt.org/grants
Learn more about our work
People and the Dales
People and the DALES stands for Diversity, Access, Learning, Education and Sustainability. We think that about sums up what we do – but it doesn’t tell the whole story!
Green Futures
We are committed to making sure every young person is supported and empowered to make a positive difference on the issues that affect their lives, their communities, and wider society.
Rural Apprenticeships
Rural Apprenticeships give young people who live in the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas the chance to stay here and gives them skills to help care for this special area.
