About us

 

Inspired by Lakeland was founded by Keswick-based publisher and Countrystride broadcaster Dave Felton.

"I set up Inspired by Lakeland to make books and gifts inspired by the wild places I love.

We believe in caring for our landscapes and communities. As such we print on paper that is FSC approved, with our local Penrith printers planting trees for each book printed. The cotton in our UK-made tea towels is 100% organic. And our place-mats and coasters use up-cycled eucalyptus.

Everything we sell is designed locally, with a percentage of profits ploughed back into local business and Cumbrian-based charities.

We have won multiple awards for our books, including Lakeland Book of the Year for Amy Bateman's Forty Farms and The Lake District in 101 Maps & Infographics, and the Holyer An Gof Children's Book of the Year award for The Cornwall Sticker Book.

Our work has been recognised by the National Trust, who awarded us the inaugural Community Business Award for our commitment to sustainable, ethical and locally-focused business. 

I produce and co-host the fortnightly Countrystride podcast with fellow Lakes-lover, Mark Richards. Countrystride – featuring 120 free episodes and rising – is dedicated to the landscapes, people and heritage of Cumbria and the Lake District. Guests have included, among many others, Joss Naylor, Melvyn Bragg, James and Helen Rebanks, Lee Schofield and Terry Abraham. 

Our Countrystride range of guidebooks trials a new model of publishing, with sales income from each book re-invested into Fixing the Fells, mending trails and landscape restoration projects in and around Ullswater and Ambleside. We are aided by a passionate group of local stores who support our titles.

We are a corporate sponsor of Friends of the Lake District, and in the past three years have given £10,000+ to Friends, Fix the Fells, Friends of the Ullswater Way and Ambleside Action for a Future.

Every product you buy from us helps support Cumbria, its landscapes and communities. Thank you for your support."