FELL Foot Park on the shores of Windermere is to be transformed, thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund grant.
The grant of around £684,000 has been made possible by National Lottery players.
The news, announced by heritage minister John Glen while on tour of Cumbria today, will mean the National Trust, owners of the site, will be able to restore key elements of this much-loved country park.
It will be part of a six-year wider National Trust masterplan to turn Fell Foot into a flagship destination in the North.
Mr Glen said: "This funding is wonderful news for Fell Foot and will help transform the park, preserve the stunning arboretum and restore its beautiful historic boathouses.
"Our heritage should be open to everyone and, thanks to National Lottery players, this project will enable even more people to discover and enjoy the fascinating stories that can be found here at Fell Foot."
Visited by more than 150,000 people a year, this popular site is under-resourced.
It originally formed the majestic grounds of an early 19th century Lake District villa landscape, framed by crags, ancient woods and water to the south-east shore of Windermere.
While the villa has long since gone, its boathouse complex - one of the largest surviving in the Lake District - and arboretum remain, and it is these historic features, along with restoration of the parks landscape and improved visitor access, that National Lottery funding will benefit.
Nathan Lee, head of HLF North West, said: "This is excellent news not only for Fell Foot Park but the Lake District and Cumbria as a whole.
"Thanks to National Lottery players, we can now preserve these wonderful boathouses, secure the long-term future of the arboretum, and provide employment and volunteering opportunities for the community.
"We are really excited about this project which we hope will see much more people discovering and enjoying the fascinating stories that can be found at Fell Foot."
The country park features sweeping lawns, rowing boats, a cafe and shop.
Activities currently include wild play, family camping, swimming and running events.
The park is one of the few places where the public can access the southern half of England's longest lake, now in a new UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Fell Foot project will involve the conservation of five boathouses, making them flood resilient and suitable for multi-use community spaces.
The Gasometer Cottage will be restored to provide office space and a reception area, the arboretum and park landscape restored - including new pathways and better drainage - while access to the waterfront will be improved and visitors will be able to enjoy new sheltered spaces and play facilities.
The National Trust will also create four new jobs and eight volunteering roles to run the project.
Mike Innerdale, the National Trust's assistant director of operations for Cumbria and North Lancashire, said: "We're thrilled that the National Lottery is supporting our vision for Fell Foot.
"We want to provide exceptional opportunities for people to re-connect with each other and the great outdoors and make precious memories for generations to come.
"For nearly 70 years local people have been coming to enjoy access to the lake, the wonderful views and the parkland.
"This funding will help us to tell the extraordinary story of Fell Foot, provide access to new areas, respond to winter flooding and lift the visitor experience to a new level."
Heritage Minister John Glen also visited National Lottery funded projects at the Wordsworth Trust and the Windermere Jetty Museum while in Cumbria.
The confirmed Heritage Lottery Fund of £684,000 is part of an ambitious multi-million pound, six-year National Trust vision to breathe new life into this popular lake-side property.
The first phase, costing £2.6 million pounds, is near completion. A new sports facility and year-round activity base will open next Spring (2018) in partnership with the rowing and sailing club and other outdoor activity providers.
The vision for the project is to provide exceptional opportunities for people to re-connect with each other and the great outdoors and make precious memories for generations to come.
The National Trust is Europe's largest conservation charity and they believe in the importance of nature, beauty and history in people's lives.
Caring for over 20 percent of the Lake District National Park, including England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike, its deepest lake, Wastwater, its precious wildlife, 90 tenanted farms, and the cultural heritage of a dozen historic buildings.
Supporting 300 jobs in Cumbria and the Lake District and each year they work with local volunteers, who help to look after one of England's most inspirational landscapes.
The Trust is dependent on the support of its members and the visitors welcomed to the special place each year: every penny raised in Cumbria is invested in caring for this special place for everyone.
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