A NATIONAL tourism leader has seen at first hand South Lakeland’s strategic work promoting arts, culture and the economy.

The chairman of VisitEngland, Penelope Viscountess Cobham, met representatives from a variety of arts organisations and toured three of the area’s leading cultural attractions on Friday.

The visit, organised and hosted by South Lakeland District Council (SLDC), took in the Blackwell Arts and Crafts House at Bowness, Dove Cottage at Grasmere and the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal.

Lakeland Arts, which owns Blackwell, the Brewery Arts Centre and the Wordsworth Trust, which runs Dove Cottage, are all strategic partners funded by SLDC to help deliver a progressive programme of cultural activities and facilities in South Lakeland.

They are also part of the Lakes Culture initiative, which aims to promote culture at the heart of the Lake District tourism offer.

While at Blackwell, Lady Cobham was also given an update on the Lake District’s World Heritage Site bid by representatives from the Lake District National Park, and chatted to officials from Lakeland Arts, which works to bring the work of internationally important artists to South Lakeland.

David Sykes, SLDC's director of People and Places, said: “Lady Cobham was very interested to learn about the opportunities here in South Lakeland and the Lakes Culture initiative and has invited further discussion with VisitEngland in London on how the area’s potential may be realised.’’