Climber Leo Houlding with one of the signs on Skiddaw
Spoof road signs which caused a stir when they were photographed on some of the Lake District’s best loved mountains will go on permanent display.
The jokey signs were produced to publicise the Cumbrian Adventure Capital project, and featured climbing superstar and Lake District resident Leo Houlding among others.
The 12 signs caused controversy among outdoor lovers who thought they were going to be permanent installations on venues such as Scafell Pike and Striding Edge on Helvellyn. Some walkers even contacted tourist offices to ask just how they could find them to have their picture taken alongside them.
Now, the signs have a permanent home in the Grizedale Forest, east of Coniston.
The signs, originally produced for photoshoots, have been placed in an outdoor art installation on Hawkshead Moor in the forest.
Andrea Runkee, Adventure Capital manager at Cumbria Tourism, said: “The Lake District is the place for outdoor adventure and these signs are a way of really bringing home all the activities people can do here.
“Road signs traditionally warn us what we’re not allowed to do, whereas these celebrate what we can do and the fun we can have.”
Graeme Prest, Forestry Commission area manager for north-west England and chairman of the Cumbria Adventure Capital steering group, said: “It makes perfect sense for these thought-provoking signs to go on display at Grizedale Forest which, along with Whinlatter in the north of the Lake District, have evolved in recent years as being real adventure hubs in their own right with superb mountain bike trails and high wire assault courses.
“The Adventure Capital programme is a great project that highlights what a fantastic destination the Lake District is for people who enjoy the outdoors and adrenaline fuelled activities.
“These signs made a big impact when they first appeared in the Lakes and we are delighted to host them at Grizedale. I hope it inspires more people to come to the forest and have their own healthy adventure looking for them among the trees.”
Organisers have also produced a map for walkers and mountain bikers so they can find the signs.
