Welcome to the website of the Lorton & Derwent Fells Local History Society (L&DFLHS). This site introduces you to the Society and its activities and publications. The site provides a focus for local history in our area. Whether you live locally or not, you can join the Society as a local or country member. The Society has nearly 200 members.


Our area

The Society has its principal focus in the area of the English Lake District to the west of Keswick and the south of Cockermouth. The map shows this area of Cumbria, formerly Cumberland. The old townships covered are Brackenthwaite, Buttermere, Embleton, Lorton, Loweswater, Mosser, Pardshaw, Whinfell and Wythop. The Society and its members are also interested in Cumberland families and the history of Cumbria generally.

An image depicting the county of Cumbria.
Our area in the county of Cumbria

What does the Society do?

  • The Society is a membership organisation, run by an elected Committee.

  • It organises a programme of events for its members and visitors, primarily a series of bi-monthly talks.

  • Additionally it organises historical visits, walks and occasional exhibitions.

  • It publishes a Journal, a newsletter called 'The Wanderer', several books, and other occasional publications.

  • It runs participatory historical and archaeological projects.

  • It keeps an archive of historical material for the area and provides support for other local and family historians.

  • The Society is a member of the Cumbria Local History Federation and the British Association for Local History.