The University of Cumbria is to open a new centre for national parks later this year - as the Lake District is made the UK's latest World Heritage Site.

UNESCO's latest announcement which puts the Lake District along the likes of the Great Barrier Reef and the Taj Mahal means that there are now two World Heritage Sites in Cumbria.

The second is Hadrian's Wall, part of which runs across the northern edge of the county. It is 30 years since the Roman wall was granted the status.

The University of Cumbria, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in August, has campuses in both World Heritage sites.

Its Ambleside campus has been revived and is now a jewel in its estates crown after it was mothballed during the university's early financial crisis.

It will be home to the new Centre for National Parks, which will be launched in September.

The University of Cumbria's Institute of the Arts at Brampton Road in Carlisle runs along the line of the Roman route.

Professor Julie Mennell, vice chancellor of the university, said: "The decision to award the Lake District UNESCO World Heritage status marks the culmination of a bid involving a range of collaborative regional partners and marks the significance of our region in terms of its unique location, landscape and heritage.

"Now, not only are we a university with a campus within a national park but along with Brampton Road, we have locations in two World Heritage sites.”

"We’re sure this designation will encourage more people to choose to come to Cumbria to work, live and study."
She added: "In September we look forward to opening the Centre for National Parks in Ambleside when we’ll also be welcoming the Royal Geographical Society to the campus, in the shadow of some of England’s best known peaks.

"We’re sure this will be the ideal location for debates, discussions and a celebration of the everything that makes Cumbria what it is today and will be in the future."