England's longest zip wire opens in Lake District
England's longest zip wire has opened in the Lake District after 20 years of planning and construction, offering a new adventure attraction.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
England's longest zip wire has opened in the Lake District after two decades of planning and construction. The attraction, built by Honister Slate Mine, stretches three quarters of a mile and takes about 60 seconds to complete. Riders reach speeds of around 60 miles per hour, with the experience priced at £109 per person.
The project was given the go-ahead last year, but it has faced opposition from local groups. The Friends of the Lake District and Buttermere Parish Council were among the critics who argued that the wire goes against the purpose of a National Park. Supporters, however, say the design is minimal and the environmental impact is small.
A representative from the mine said the idea started with his father about 20 years ago. He described the long process of working with planners to create something that could be engineered and that the National Park would accept. He also pointed out that the wire uses special nylon trolleys that are very quiet, and that the attraction helps sustain an industry and employ local people.
The experience involves a Via Ferrata climb of about an hour and a half to reach the starting point. The mine says it takes five staff to run the wire seven days a week, and that the price reflects the wages and the unique nature of the experience.
A BBC reporter who tried the wire described the nerves at the top as real, but said the exhilaration once stepping off was amazing. The opening marks the end of a long campaign to bring the attraction to the Lake District, with both supporters and critics continuing to debate its place in the national park.
On screen
Stills are sampled automatically at 60-second intervals. Where shown, the still is the nearest available frame from the relevant broadcast segment and is included to show what was on screen during that part of the broadcast. A still may not correspond to the exact second of a quoted phrase.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC News |
|---|---|
| The experience costs £109 per person. | |
| The Friends of the Lake District and Buttermere Parish Council opposed the attraction. | |
| The zip wire is England's longest, at three quarters of a mile. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The BBC report balanced the excitement of the new attraction with the history of opposition. It gave a first-hand account of the experience, including the cost and the journey to the start, while also letting the operator respond to critics. The tone was neutral, focusing on the facts and the human interest angle.
- “After 20 years of planning challenges, England's longest zip wire is due to open this weekend in the Lake District.”
- “The wire has been put up by the Honister Slate Mine. They claim it's the longest at three quarters of a mile in England.”
- “The experience isn't cheap at £109 for this view.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.