Rooted in Ambleside: The Story of Lakeland Leather

Founded in 1955, we’ve called Ambleside home ever since – a place that continues to inspire everything we do. From our beginnings in the heart of the English Lake District, Lakeland Leather has grown from one man’s passion for craftsmanship into one of the UK’s most trusted names in premium leather jackets, sheepskin coats, and accessories. For over 70 years, we’ve been guided by a simple philosophy: to create beautiful, long-lasting leather goods made with care, integrity, and skill. In the following, we take a moment to reflect on where we began – and answer some of the most common questions about the heritage that continues to inspire us today.

🏡 Why is Lakeland Leather Based in Ambleside, Lake District?

We’re often asked why Lakeland Leather is based in Ambleside, a beautiful and tranquil village at the heart of the Lake District National Park.

Cumbria has a long history of leather making. Ambleside itself once had small tanneries along Stock Ghyll (also known as Rattle Ghyll) and Fisherbeck, powered by local bark mills. These “cottage industry” tanneries used traditional methods to extract natural tannins from oak bark – plentiful in the area – and other plants. Larger tanneries thrived nearby in Ulverston, Cockermouth, and Kendal, and their legacy remains today in names like ‘Leather Lane’, ‘Tannery Garth’, and ‘Tanner’s Yard’.

But our decision to settle in Ambleside was about more than geography – it was about lifestyle and love of place. Jack Standring, Lakeland Leather’s founder, left his industrial home town of Huddersfield in search of fresh air, family life, and the beauty of the fells. His son, Richard, later suggested that his father’s passion for climbing and fell walking might have had something to do with it too.

Whatever the reason, Ambleside became our home – and continues to inspire everything we design, craft, and create.

🧵 Do You Still Make Leather in Ambleside?

We’ve never actually tanned leather in Ambleside – the last local tannery closed long before our business began. But Ambleside remains our creative and operational home. It’s where our teams design new collections, oversee quality, manage our website and warehouse, and support our Lakeland Leather stores across the UK.

The last operating tannery in Cumbria, Low Mill Tannery in Ulverston, closed in 1972. Kendal – once a historic centre for leather and footwear – saw its tanneries close in the 1960s. In our early years, most of our leather came from the South West of England, but as the British tanning industry declined, we began partnering with specialist producers overseas.

Today, there are fewer than 20 tanneries left in the UK, many of which are small, highly specialised operations such as Devonia Sheepskins, Britain’s oldest sheepskin tannery and supplier to Rolls Royce. While we don’t tan leather locally anymore, Ambleside remains the beating heart of Lakeland Leather – the place where every design begins and every product ends up before it reaches you.

🌍 Where Are Lakeland Leather Products Made?

Where we make our products depends on the type of leather we use. Wherever possible, we source English sheep hides – beautifully rounded and high-grade, ideal for styles like biker jackets and aviator sheepskin coats. For lighter, summer-weight leathers, we use hair sheep hides from warmer climates, which are naturally thinner yet equally durable.

Europe remains a key producer of sheepskin, particularly Spain and Italy, though since Brexit it has become more challenging to manufacture there. While China is a major footwear producer, we don’t source our jackets from there. Instead, most of our Lakeland Leather jackets are crafted in India, Pakistan, and Turkey – regions home to some of the world’s most skilled tanneries and artisans.

We’ve worked with many of the same workshops for decades, often family-run businesses now in their second or third generation. These partnerships have grown with us, and most of our production partners are now proud members of the Leather Working Group (LWG) – an international non-profit promoting sustainable and responsible leather manufacturing.

Our loyalty to these partners is well known in the industry – and it’s part of what makes Lakeland Leather such a trusted name in British craftsmanship.

🪡 What Makes Lakeland Leather Special?

After more than seven decades working with leather, we’ve learned a thing or two about what makes it exceptional. Unlike most retailers, we don’t simply buy finished hides – we’re involved from the very beginning. Wherever possible, we source directly from the abattoir, allowing us to inspect and grade each hide before tanning begins. This ensures that quality is built in at every stage.

Our Director of Leather Sourcing, David, has spent his entire career in the trade. His expert eye, understanding of tannage, and deep respect for craftsmanship help guide every product we create. We work closely with our partner tanneries to oversee the process from start to finish – maintaining the standards that define every Lakeland Leather jacket, bag, and accessory. It’s this dedication that allows us to confidently offer our Lifetime Guarantee. When we say a Lakeland Leather product is made to last, we mean it. Because we know the story of every piece – from the first hide to the final stitch.

✨ A Heritage of Craftsmanship. A Future of Care.

From our home in Ambleside, Lake District, we continue to champion British design, traditional craftsmanship, and responsible sourcing. Every jacket, bag, and accessory we make is a reflection of our heritage – and a promise that true quality never goes out of style.

👉 Explore our latest collection of leather jackets, sheepskin coats, and accessories.