A new book and exhibition next month will celebrate the deep history of the Lake District fells and the place they hold in millions of peoples’ lives, asking important questions about the future of the uplands.
‘Forty Fells’ is a collaboration between award-winning photographer Tom McNally and author David Felton. It presents the varied stories of 40 Cumbrian fells and the people who live, work and play on them.
The book will be launched on Thursday 22 October alongside a free exhibition in the Art Gallery at RHEGED near Penrith In Cumbria, displaying striking large format photography, rarely-seen artefacts and films.
Published by Inspired by Lakeland, ‘Forty Fells’ is a follow-up to the award-winning ‘Forty Farms’ and sees Tom McNally and author David Felton embark on a visual and narrative visit to 40 fells, from Scafell Pike to Pillar, Cat Bells to Blencathra and Helvellyn to Haystacks.
Since prehistory, people have lived, worked and played in the Lake District uplands, finding in them inspiration, adventure, sport, wealth and freedom. In the book, McNally and Felton tell the stories of farmers, fell-runners and foresters, Wainwright-baggers, conservationists and carol singers with documentary profiles taking in all corners of the county.
In 40 illustrated chapters over 344 pages, the book celebrate the many ways people engage with the Cumbrian uplands, highlighting the tensions that exist between the demands of tourism, access, conservation, farming and forestry.
‘Forty Fells’ addresses the important role the Lake District plays in connecting young people with nature, highlights the increasingly critical work of Fix the Fells, discusses the history and lived experience of race in the Cumbrian countryside and shines a spotlight on the vital service provided by Mountain Rescue teams.
The Forty Fells exhibition at Rheged will run from 23 October until 24 January, 2027. The 100 metres of Art Gallery walls will showcase large format photographs celebrating the beauty, drama and ever-changing character of the Lake District.
It’s supported by films and artefacts, including Wainwright’s original longlist of ‘the 214’, early records from the Bob Graham Round, and the game-changing, life-saving ‘Thomas’ Mountain Rescue stretcher. A complementary programme of expert talks, debates and creative workshops will explore some of the key themes of ‘Forty Fells’.
Felton said, “The Cumbrian mountains have been a constant in my life, through good times and bad, and ‘Forty Fells’ is both a tribute to the high places of Lakeland and an expression of thanks for all they have given me.
“But it is more than that. It is a deep dive into the remarkable history of a richly-storied landscape. It’s a celebration of the many ways people connect with mountains. And it’s a state-of-the-nation photographic record of the Cumbrian uplands at a time of unparalleled change.
“We have not shied away from the challenges facing the north-country uplands, nor have we let them overshadow the many initiatives that are, often quietly, revitalising the fells. In an era not blessed with good news, ‘Forty Fells’ tells positive stories aplenty about this landscape, which is a spiritual home for millions.”
McNally added, “I was introduced to photography by my dad and then two decades later I was introduced to the Lake District as a scruffy young climber, travelling west from Newcastle with friends. Our accommodation was often just a bivvy bag in a Borrowdale cave, and our only priorities were to have as much fun and tick off as many classic rock climbs as possible.
“These events shaped my life, leading to a career in adventure photography and work in outdoor education and film and TV. Shot primarily over two years, the images in ‘Forty Fells’ represent the culmination of my experience in each of these fields.
“Since moving to the Lakes in 2011, I’ve wanted to work on a project that digs deep into this treasured landscape and asks what it means to people. ‘Forty Fells’ is not only a contemporary profile of a unique place and its people, but also a personal homage to Cumbria, the place that my family and I are proud to call home.”
The book ‘Forty Fells’ is available to pre-order now at Forty Fells – Conversations about change in the Lake District mountain – Inspired by Lakeland, or from a range of Lakeland book and giftshops, including the Art Gallery at Rheged and Westmorland Farm Shop at Tebay Services.
