Get Patched up in the Lake District!
We are lucky, we get to live in the Lake District, one of the most beautiful places on earth. We may be biased but take a look – there’s good reason.
One of the delights of the Lake District is walking the fells. When the great fellwalker Alfred Wainwright first visited from his home town of Blackburn, he fell in love with the area when looking out from Orrest Head in the village of Windermere where he could spy the great Windermere lake itself and a vista that included Scafell Pike, Coniston Old Man and Great Gable. It inspired him to write seven volumes of illustrated books, recording 214 of the Lake District’s best known fells over a 13 year period.
One of the nicest ways to record a hike and save as a record of your exploits is with a beautifully designed and crafted hiking patch from local business Conquer Lake District, which we stock in our Ulverston and Windermere shops.
Conquer have a real passion for the area and commit a percentage of sales to Friends of the Lake District and the Lake District Foundation. Both these charities are committed to the protection and upkeep of the area, which welcomes 15 million tourists every year.
Conquer took its first steps after Caroline and her husband bought a camper van after an inspired chat with a couple who owned their own and were visiting the Lakes. There’s something highly aesthetic about the traditional camper vans and in a desire to inject personality with décor, Caroline came across some vintage North American hiking badges. That retro feel fitted perfectly but wouldn’t it be even better if the patches represented some the iconic features of the Lake District?
Slowly but surely the badges took shape, all from Caroline’s own hand and now the collection currently hosts 19 different patches and stickers. The badges have become well known in the area and there are many a child and parent that send through their pictures of children holding their patches alongside a conquered fell!
The Lake District creates so many special moments and cherished memories and these patches are a lovely reminder and are perfect for hats, rucksacks and clothing. All the greats, including Helvellyn, Scafell Pike, Blencathra and Coniston Old Man are in the collection plus many others. Once you’ve bought one, you’ll be after the rest! It’s always a delight to host products made right here in The Lakes – many people have felt that twinge of inspiration once felt by Alfred Wainwright and Conquer continue in that rich vein of industrious artisans that make this area the magical place it is.