A treasured island on Derwentwater is being trashed by wild campers.
The cherished national landmark that is St Herbert’s Island has been experiencing a concerning rise in instances of anti-social behaviour in recent weeks.
This includes littering, vandalism, fires and damage to trees. The National Trust, which owns the island, says that most recently there have been instances of people bringing chainsaws onto the island and damaging some veteran trees to make fires.
To address the issue and protect the island’s character, the National Trust, along with local authorities, will be increasing its presence to monitor visitor activities. It says that vandalism and anti-social behaviour will be reported to the police and is reminding all visitors that camping on St Herbert’s Island is not permitted.
“This island, known for its historical significance as well as its ecological importance, it is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and natural beauty, should be treated with respect and care by all who visit,” said a spokesman for the conservation charity.
“Actions of anti-social behaviour not only deface the island’s pristine environment but also pose risks to the fragile ecosystem as well as to other visitors.
“Time spent cleaning up the large amounts of litter left by campers also takes our rangers away from important conservation work in the area. We urge people to please follow the guidelines to wild camping found on our website.
“St Herbert’s Island is a treasure of Derwentwater and we must all act as stewards to ensure its enduring beauty and significance. By working together, we can preserve this island as a place of natural and historical wonder for all to enjoy.”
St Herbert’s is the largest of the islands on Derwentwater, covering between four and five acres and is named after the saint of the same name who brought Christianity to the area in 685AD.
St Herbert used the island as an hermitage. After his death, it became a place of pilgrimage, and St Herbert’s cell can still be identified among the undergrowth.
St Herbert’s is also the inspiration for the fictional Owl Island in Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin.
Derwentwater and St Herbert’s Island were also used as a filming location for the 1974 and 2016 Swallows and Amazons films.
