Lake District campers dump tent, rubbish and uncooked sausages

Campers have left a trail of rubbish including a tent, camping equipment and a mattress by a beauty spot in the Lake District.

Russell Millner said his dog found the mess south of Red Nab car park, on the western side of Windermere, on Sunday.

He found socks discarded on trees, food and remnants of a fire which had been lit next to a tree, while his dog ate one of the uncooked sausages on the barbeque.

Mr Millner said the littering was part of a “wider problem of respect for the landscape and for others”.

He said a volunteer came to clear the area after he posted photos of the abandoned camp on Facebook.

The National Trust and the Lake District National Park Authority have been approached for comment.

Wild camping is not permitted in the Lake District without the landowners permission, but the Lake District National Park Authority has said it is normally tolerated if people abide by a number of rules.

These include camping above the highest fell wall and leaving no trace after moving on.

Mr Millner, who lives in Bowness, said he often finds litter from abandoned campsites and barbeques, particularly after spells of hot weather.

He said: “I have in the past found an abandoned campsite in the area complete with still wrapped camping chairs and copious amounts of used babies nappies.”

From April, Cumberland Council started using Public Space Protection Orders to tackle anti-social behaviour by so-called fly campers in the Lake District.

The National Trust previously said it spent about £1,000 repairing a single site that was damaged by campers last year.

Meanwhile, Andrew Wright, a woodland officer with United Utilities which owns land around Thirlmere and Haweswater, said he often saw “entire campsites abandoned”.