Ennderdale, West Cumbria. Historic Landscape Survey

Oxford Archaeology North (OA North), formerly Lancaster University Archaeological Unit
(LUAU), at the request of The National Trust and Forest Enterprise, undertook a season of
management assessment survey of land in Ennerdale in May 2003 (NY 0905 1584 – 2148
1077), following three previous seasons of survey between April 1995 and April 1997
undertaken by LUAU. The purpose of the earlier work was to evaluate the archaeological
resource to enable its preservation during felling. The purpose of the present fourth season of
the survey was to provide a narrative history of the valley for the ‘Wild Ennerdale’ project, a
partnership between the three main landowners in the valley (The National Trust, Forest
Enterprise and United Utilities). The report will provide a management resource for the
partnership in order to help guide the evolution of the valley towards a more ‘wild’ landscape,
with greater emphasis on natural processes to shape its landscape and ecology.