One of the Lake District's main detractors George Monbiot has been back in Cumbria causing a stir with his controversial views on sheep farming and how to protect the mountains.
The environmentalist believes the fells have been "sheep wrecked" and should be re-wilded with trees and wolves to bring back ecosystems for wildlife.
We took him to Scales Fell, at the foot of Blencathra to find out what he sees when he looks at the Lake District.
Alfred Wainwright's described Blencathra as "one of the grandest objects in Lakeland." 50 years later, the Friends of Blencathra told us "it's the most beautiful place in the world".
"I don't disagree that it's a grand object" Credit: ITV Border
George Monbiot said all of this to hill farmers in Cumbria 2 years ago but his renewed appeal comes as The Lake District National Park takes on a new focus.
It failed to make the area a World Heritage Site for its Natural Beauty so it's new bid is for a Cultural Landscape, protecting the way man has crafted these fells through things like farming and mining.
These are the things George Monbiot argues have "destroyed" the fells.
Cumbrian Hill Farmers say sheep farming is a long tradition worth preserving Credit: ITV Border
Cumbrian Hill Farmers say sheep farming is a long tradition in Cumbria worth preserving and adds to the richness of the landscape.
John Atkinson Credit: ITV Border
John Atkinson's family has been farming these fells for 6 generations and his son hopes to continue.
He has several conservation contracts too and works with the National Trust to protect habitats in the area he farms.
The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales became national parks because people were brave and said unpopular things to challenge landowners. Now the government is extending them.
Perhaps George is the latest in that tradition but others say modern conservation is working.
