Lake District and Cumbria events February, March, April 2017
1st February 2017
There are so many wonderful events scheduled this year in the Lake District and Cumbria.
2017 is going to be a very exciting year with a whopping 203 country shows, festivals and events taking place around the Lake District and Cumbria.
Here’s a selection of our favourite events for February, March & April:-
Friday 17th – Sunday 19th February & Friday 24th – Sunday 26th February
Snowdrop Weekend
Where: Holker Hall & Gardens in Cark-in-Cartmel
This offers a great opportunity to see the beautiful gardens at Holker during the winter months. Holker are offering free parking and entry to the café. A welcome bonus is that children go free.
For further information please visit their website by clicking here
Friday 24th – Sunday 26th February
Askham Hall Classical Music Festival
Where: Askham Church in Askham, near Penrith
Award-winning Askham Hall is a 13th century stately home turned restaurant with rooms close to Lake Ullswater. Located just a stone’s throw from the spectacular St. Peter’s Church, Askham, it is the perfect base for this special classical music festival.
The concerts will be hosted in the church by pianist Noam Greenberg and the Ardeo Quartet, while acclaimed chefs Richard Swale will be running the show in the kitchen, taking theist from Askham Hall’s gardens and surrounding farms.
Sunday 26th February
Trail 10 Dalemain
Where: Dalemain Mansion, near Penrith
If you like 10k trail running then this event is for you! They are also offering a Strava Challenge where you can win fantastic prizes. If you are training smaller feet in your family they are offering a free 1k trail.
For further information please visit their website by clicking here
Friday 3rd – Sunday 12th March
Words by the water
Where: Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
An exciting 10 day festival of words and ideas where writers and readers get together to share the pleasure of books, words and ideas.
For further information please visit their website by clicking here
Saturday 4th – Sunday 5th March
Children’s Book Festival
Where: Wray Castle, Near Ambleside
The National Trust would like some little book worms to celebrate World Book Day weekend at Wray Castle where a host of fun and activities will be available. Best-selling authors, illustrators and characters will also be there ready to celebrate.
Sunday 5th March
Eden Valley Epic Cycle Sportive
Where: Starting at Penrith Leisure Centre
Enjoy this 60 mile route through some fantastic cycling routes.
For further information please visit their website by clicking here
Saturday 11th March
Malcolm Wilson Rally
Where: Cockermouth
Starting in Cockermouth, for the 42nd time, a forest stage event in the beautiful Lake District.
For further information please visit their website by clicking here
Saturday 11th March – Sunday 3rd September
The word-hoard: A love letter to our land
Where: Wordsworth House & Garden Cockermouth
Celebrating the natural world and the words we once used to describe it. Curated by Robert Macfarlane and featuring breath-taking images by his parents.
Saturday 18th March
Cartmel Trail Race
Where: Cartmel Racecourse
Starting and finishing at the Lake District’s only racecourse this trail will take you on some of the most scenic countryside in Cumbria. Advertised as having a carnival atmosphere along with music, food and live commentary it is a great family day out.
For further information please visit their website by clicking here
Saturday 18th March
Penrith Goes Orange: Marmalade Festival
Where: Penrith
Why not help celebrate marmalade in all its brilliance? This festival features demonstrations, talks, fun exhibitions and shows. Of course there will also be the opportunity to taste and buy one of this nation’s favourite food items.
For further information please visit their website by clicking here
Saturday 18th – Sunday 19th March
Cumbria Life & Home Garden Show
Where: Rhegged, near Penrith
With excess of 70 exhibitors, masterclasses, demonstrations and talks this is now established as the biggest home and garden event in the North.
For further information please visit their website by clicking here
Saturday 18th – Sunday 19th March
Ambleside Spring Flower Show
Where: Ambleside
A Spring flower show which also offers classes, a raffle and handicrafts.
For further information please call David on 07730946510
Friday 24th – Sunday 26th March 2017
Northern Craft Beer Festival
Where: Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley
In 2007 Hawkshead starting holding two beer festivals twice a year and this is the first one in 2017. Hosting exciting breweries you can enjoy this festival for free.
For further information please visit their website by clicking here
Saturday 1st April
Sedbergh Spring show
Where: Sedbergh People’s Hall
This offers a great opportunity to see the beautiful gardens at Holker during the winter months. Holker are offering free parking and entry to the café. A welcome bonus is that children go free.
For further information please visit here
Sunday 2nd April
Buttermere Bay Blues
Where: Buttermere
A classic combination of lakes, mountains and waterfalls over a 10 miles course. Surrounded with a dramatic landscape it’s an incredible trail route for all abilities.
For further information please visit here
Friday 7th – Sunday 9th April
Bowness Bay Blues
Where: Bowness-on-Windermere
A music festival which this year is aiming to be bigger and better than previous years. A full programme of music with a music trail around Bowness. There is also a Blues Cruise on Lake Windermere on Saturday 8th April. BBB is supporting Ambleside and Langdale Mountain Rescue and North West Blood Bikes.
For further information please visit here
Friday 7th April – Sunday 2nd July
Julian Cooper
Where: Abbot Hall Art Gallery
A look back at a Cumbrian artist’s work to celebrate his 70th birthday. The show features 30 monumental paintings which reflect the artist’s travels. The exhibition shows the evolution of his career. The exhibition is in partnership with Art Space Gallery , London.
For further information please visit here
Saturday 8th – Sunday 9th April
Rusland Spring Show
Where: Reading Rooms, Rusland
Every Spring a show is held and the hall and marquee are filled with a riot of colour of spring bulbs, decorated cakes, paintings, poems and pasche eggs. The show raises much-needed funds to keep for the upkeep of Rusland’s village hall.
For further information please visit here
Saturday 8th – Sunday 9th April
Knit and Stitch Show
Where: Rheged, near Penrith
In associated with CoolCrafting you will find everything you need to be inspired. With demonstrations of knitting, spinning, weaving and beading to name just a few this is well worth a visit.
For further information please visit here
Saturday 8th April – Sunday 10th September
Hadrian’s Cavalry
Where: Hadrian’s Wall Venues
To celebrate the cavalry forces of the Roman Army there are exhibitions and events at 10 venues along the length of Hadrian’s Wall.
For further information please visit here
Friday 14th – Monday 17th April
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Various National Trust venues
The ultimate Easter egg hunt! Enjoy woodland, nature trails and mystical lakes as part of your search.
For further information please visit here
Saturday 15th – Monday 17th April
Taste Cumbria
Where: Kirkby Lonsdale
Over Easter why not join in the foodie fun in beautiful Kirkby Lonsdale. Lots of traders offering their delicious food and drinks to buy and taste!
For further information please visit here
Sunday 16th April
Plant Fair and Food Market
Where: Holker Hall and Gardens, Cark-in-Cartmel
A specialist plant fair, bringing together some of the North’s top specialist nurseries, to showcase a variety of unusual plants. As well as this the Holker Food Festival will be open so you can enjoy some both local and regional food.
For further information please visit here
Saturday 22nd April
Damson Day Country Fair
Where: Low Farm, Lyth Valley near Kendal
A great day of fun activities with food to buy all linked to damson fruit.
For further information please visit here
Saturday 22nd – Monday 1st May
Ulverston Walkfest
Where: Ulverston
Now in its 18th year there are 32 walks available over ten days. An exciting programme of interesting walks all with an archaeological theme.
For further information please visit here
Tuesday 25th – Monday 1st May
Ride2stride Settle-Carlisle Walking Festival
Where: Yorkshire Dales and Eden Valley
A festival of walks, talks and music along the Settle-Carlisle railway. Whether you are interested in railways or the Yorkshire dales this is the event for you.
For further information please visit here
Thursday 27th – Sunday 30th May
Printfest
Where: Coronation Hall, Ulverston
This is the UK’s foremost artist-led printmaking festival. An opportunity for printmakers to meet together to share and learn from each other. This wonderful gathering is open for visitors to view and purchase art work.
For further information please visit here
Friday 28th – Monday 1st May
Kirkby Lonsdale Beer & Music Festival
Where: Underley Park, Kirkby Lonsdale
A community event at the Rugby Club to showcase local musicians and enjoy locally brewed beers. Free entry but if you wish you can pay to camp on site.
For further information please visit here
Saturday 29th April
Tasmin Little with BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Where: Kendal Leisure Centre
Michael Seal is the conductor with Tasmin Little playing violin in the final concert of the season.
For further information please visit here
Saturday 29th – Monday 1st May
Cumberland Sausage Festival
Where: Muncaster Castle
Returning for the third year in a row, the sausage festival is a three day celebration of all delicious things that are Cumbrian. This event is suitable for all ages and offers entertainment and shopping as well as culinary treats.
For further information please visit here
Sunday 30th April
Keswick Half Marathon
Where: Keswick Rugy Club
This half marathon is said to be one of the most scenic ones in the county. It’s a challenging course around Derwentwater.
For further information please visit here