[4][5] The economy is mainly focused on tourism around both the Lake District and Cumbria Coast, shipbuilding and the port in Barrow-in-Furness, and agriculture in the rural parts of the area.

[6][7] The council covers the areas formerly served by the districts of Barrow-in-Furness, Eden, and South Lakeland, which also ceased to function.

[10] Opponents of the reorganisation claimed that the proposal was being pursued to benefit the electoral prospects of the Conservative Party.

Cumbria County Council, which would be abolished under the plans, sought judicial review to prevent the reorganisation from taking place.

[12] Draft statutory instruments to bring about local government reorganisation in Cumbria were subsequently laid before parliament.

Major settlements and civil parishes: Westmorland and Furness Council has 65 councillors,[16] and the first election to the local authority was in May 2022.

The Northern Settle–Carlisle line also runs through, with stations at Armathwaite, Lazonby, Langwathby, Appleby, Kirkby Stephen, Garsdale and Dent.