The Lake District National Park has a huge concentration of sites and attractions that bring visitors from around the world.
Although most people consider The Lakes to be best in the summer months, because of all the outdoor activities that are available, there is plenty to do throughout the year.
Whether you are visiting with friends or taking the kids, planning a stag night, or want to know what time of year is best to travel to this beautiful region, the following is just a selection of activities that you can enjoy while staying in Lake District and Windermere hotels, while camping, or while visiting for the day.
January
Spinning The Colours Of Lakeland
Spinning the Colours of Lakeland is an exhibition that highlights the work of local designer Annie Garnett. Born in 1864, Garnett managed a spinnery in Windermere and employed local women to spin yarn and produce beautiful textiles. Her work was not only popular with local Lake District residents and businesses, but garnered attention from as far abroad as the USA.
The exhibition includes autochromes, photos, and diary entries, that chronicle the life and works of this famous entrepreneur. Whether you are interested in local history or want to learn about traditional textile methods, the arts and crafts exhibition, which is already in place and runs until 29th January, is an educational day out.
Blackwell, The Arts And Crafts House
Now To 29 Jan 2017
(Arts And Crafts)
February
Fish & Chip Evening
Fish and Chips has become a staple part of the British diet, and while there are variations, typically around what should cover the chips, the deep-fried fish and chipped potato dish has been in existence since the mid-19th Century.
This Fish & Chip evening is a little different to the usual seafront chippy offering. Tickets not only buy you a great tasting fish and chip supper at Fellbites Café, Dalegarth, but it also offers an equally traditional diesel train trip, leaving Ravenglass at 6pm on 17th February 2017.
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, Ravenglass
17 Feb 2017
(Food)
3D Printing Workshop
You will see the Rheged Centre appear in this list several times. Although it is used for a variety of different types of event and activity, it is most often associated with arts and crafts exhibitions. They are held throughout the year, and the site has excellent amenities, ensuring that you can 3D printing has enjoyed incredible popularity in the past few years, but few people can afford to splash out on the software and the printer required to have a go themselves.
The 3D Printing Workshop, which is hosted at the Rheged Centre on 20th February, enables visitors to use simple 3D design software to create their own 3D image, and then print it using the 3D printer hardware.
Rheged Centre, Penrith
20 Feb 2017
(Arts And Crafts)
Woodworking Workshops With Woodstone Learning
Another craft event being held at the Rheged Centre, Woodworking Workshops are held throughout the year, and you should check what is on offer on the day. Between 21st and 23rd February, kids can make swords, shields, and beaded clay heart wall decorations. All classes require adult supervision, and different items are made at different times during the day.
It takes approximately half an hour to craft each of the items, and between each course, you can visit the other exhibitions, shops, and the café and food hall to grab a bite to eat.
Rheged Centre, Penrith
21 Feb 2017 – 23 Feb 2017
(Arts And Crafts)
Megacon
Megacon is a massive exhibition and convention featuring stalls and shops, as well as console gaming tournaments, Cosplay competitions, and trading card game competitions for games like Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Magic. Other features include a wrestling show, and a giant green screen that enables you to edit your photos. There’s also an art competition and you can end the day with a free raffle to try and win one of the unique prizes that are on offer.
Taking place on 25th February, Megacon is great fun for all the geeks in your family.
Richard Rose Morton Academy, Carlisle
25 Feb 2017
(Festival)
March
Marmalade Festival 2017
Penrith & Dalemain Mansion hosts the marmalade festival every year.
The festival includes a homemade marmalade judging festival, with over 2,000 entries from people across the globe.
These marmalades are available for visitors to try and most are available to buy.
There’s an awards ceremony, cookery demonstrations, and Marmalade Question Times.
On the Saturday, 18th March, the town of Penrith joins in the festivities with an event called Penrith Goes Orange.
The town is effectively coloured orange for the day, and is filled with stalls, street entertainers, plenty of entertainment for all visitors.
As well as marmalade from local producers, you will also find masses of other artisanal produce.
Dalemain House & Gardens, Penrith
18 Mar 2017 – 19 Mar 2017
(Festival)
A Contemporary Evening Live From The Royal Ballet
Another event at the Rheged Centre, A Contemporary Evening Live from the Royal Ballet sees the Bolshoi take on Hans Van Manen’s Frank Bridge’s Variations, Sol Leon, and Short Time Together from Paul Lightfoot.
The event lasts for nearly 3 hours and takes place on Sunday 19th March 2017, starting at 3pm, and is either a great introduction to the world of ballet or an enjoyable way to see some of the best dancers and choreographers take on high quality ballet performances.
Rheged Centre, Penrith
19 Mar 2017
(Ballet)
Henning Wehn: Westphalia Is Not An Option
The Forum in Barrow-In-Furness plays host to German comedian Henning When on 19th March 2017. His current tour, Westphalia Is Not An Option, takes a look at immigration; a topic that heavily concerns both Brits and Germans.
The Forum, Barrow-in-Furness
19 Mar 2017
(Comedy)
April
A Wild Family Adventure
Eycott Hill Nature Reserve is great for walking, spotting animals and insects like butterflies and dragonflies, and you can even spot a bird of prey or two as well.
The Wild Family Adventure is essentially a guided tour of the nature reserve, and it actively provides the whole family with guidance on how to make the best finds and how to see a varied selection of wildlife, as well as flora and fauna. Entry is free, although donations to The Trust are encouraged, and the event is designed for 6 to 12 year olds, who must be accompanied by an adult during the tour.
Eycott Hill Nature Reserve
10 Apr 2017
(Family)
Cumberland Sausage Festival
The three-day Cumberland sausage festival takes place at Muncaster Castle. Although named after the Cumberland Sausage that the region is famed for, you will also be treated to a huge selection of other local produce and delicacies.
Celebrity chefs, demos of how to best cook the food that you can buy, and entertainment for the whole family are all included as part of the bank holiday weekend event.
You will even find craft and giftware stalls and the cost of the event is the same as the usual Muncaster Castle entry prices.
Muncaster Castle, Cumbria
29 Apr 2017 – 1 May 2017
(Festival)
May
The Cumbria Photography Show
The Cumbria Photography Show is a weekend long event. It is arranged and hosted by photographer Rod Ireland as well as the Penrith and District Camera Club, and the event includes stalls and demos by some of the biggest camera manufacturers and suppliers in the country. You can get tips on how to achieve the best photographic results, upgrade equipment, or simply go and meet like-minded people that share an interest in the same hobbies and pastimes as you do.
There is also an exhibition of photos from some of the country’s camera clubs. The cost of entry to the event is minimal, £2 per person, and you are sure to pick up tips or find some updated camera equipment with your attendance.
Rheged Centre, Penrith
13 May 2017 – 14 May 2017
(Arts And Crafts)
June
Ullswater Epic Lakes Swim
The Epic Lakes Swim Series is actually a series of swimming events, including the Ullswater Epic Lakes Swim, which takes place on 4th Jun 2017. There are two distances that entrants can choose from, which means that everybody that wants to take part, regardless of skill level and competence, can enjoy taking part in an outdoor swimming challenge.
All finishers receive a bespoke medal once they reach the end of the course, and the scenery is stunning. All participants need to wear a wetsuit for the event.
Jenkins Field, Glenridding
4 Jun 2017
(Active)
The Cumberland Show
The Cumberland Show is moving location for the first time in 2017, so it will now be taking place on farmland near East Park, rather than Carlisle racecourse where the event has been held in the past. The agricultural show has a huge selection of events and exhibitions, including a sheep dig display, ferret show, and a gun dog display.
There are special events for the kids, too, and you will even find a circus roadshow. Numerous stalls and pop up shops and exhibitions will sell local produce, and you can see farming machinery and vehicles, as well as the animals that the farms rely so heavily on.
East Park, Carlisle
17 Jun 2017
(Festival)
July
Hawkshead Beer Festival
The Hawkshead Beer Festival, held at Hawkshead Brewery in Staveley between 20th July and 22nd July, is one of a number of summer beer festivals held by the local brewery. Numerous local brewers are featured, and most bring at least three or four different brews. Visitors can enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere than you usually find at this type of event.
There’s cask and keg beers, and the use of cold cellars and proper storage facilities means that the beer is properly cared for before it is served. This means that visitors will enjoy the best tasting examples of the beers they want to try.
Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley
20 Jul 2017 – 22 Jul 2017
(Festival)
August
Pirates By Day
The kids will enjoy getting onboard one of the Ullswater Steamers and enjoying a pirate themed 90 minutes. The £12.50 entry fee includes tattoos, pirate gold coins, face painting, and a host of onboard games that every participant can enjoy. Be prepared for the fact that your son or daughter will get wet while they attempt to fight off the invading pirates.
Ullswater Steamers, Glenridding
23 Aug 2017
(Family)
September
Windermere One Way Swim
The Windermere One Way Swim is a 10-mile swim with simmers supported by motor boats, and every participant receives one to one support from a paddler. Spectators are welcome at the event and can enjoy hot drinks at Storrs Hall, and if you enjoy physically challenging yourself by taking part in a gruelling and challenging event, then this swim is for you.
The swim takes place on 3rd September and participants can start as early as 6am. The swim starts from Fell Foot Park at the southern end of Windermere and ends at Low Wray just below Wray Castle at the other end of Windermere.
Fell Foot, Ulverston
3 Sep 2017
(Active)
Ladies Of The Lake 2017
The Ladies of the Lake event is a cycling event specifically for women.
It is one of a number of similar sportive events that take place during the year, but this ride combines activity with beautiful scenery, great tasting food, and supportive and friendly support staff to help ensure that everybody gets around the course safely.
Cyclists travel from across the country to take place in the event every single year, and you can turn the ride into a great ladies’ weekend by staying locally.
Swarthmoor Hall, Ulverston
10 Sep 2017
(Active)
Holker Chilli Fest
Chilli fests and festivals have become increasingly popular in recent years, buoyed by the popularity of the chilli itself.
This two day event, which takes place on 9th and 10th September, concentrates primarily on chilli based produce, as well as the food and drink that accompany them.
You can try some of the sauces and some of the peppers, and you can also watch a demonstration by self-proclaimed chilli stuntman Darth Naga.
Holker Hall And Gardens, Grange-over-Sands
9 Sep 2017 – 10 Sep 2017
(Festival)
October
Halloween Masquerade Ball
Taking place on 28th October, the Halloween Masquerade Ball takes place at the Beech Hill Hotel. You will be greeted with champagne and canapes before being guided into the restaurant for a four course meal that is Halloween themed.
Magician David Lancaster and local string quartet Classic Ensembles entertain you during the meal, while the resident DJ will keep visitors partying until midnight so that you can enjoy all of the festivities.
Beech Hill Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere
28 Oct 2017
(Dance)
November
Holker Winter Market
The winter market at Holker Hall and Gardens has more than 60 stalls where you will find food and drink, local crafts and products, and artisanal food and drinks.
The market is a great way to prepare for Christmas; enjoy hot food and mulled wine or pick up ideal gifts for food lovers, like food hampers, and buy Christmas decorations ready for the end of year festivities. You can also try local produce in the Courtyard during the event, as you can throughout the year.
Holker Hall And Gardens, Grange-over-Sands
4 Nov 2017 – 5 Nov 2017
(Market)
December
Colin Caygill Antique Fair
The Colin Caygill Antique Fair takes place at the beginning of December and is perfect for last minute gift ideas like militaria, watches, and local crafts. The fair takes place on a Sunday, around two weeks before Christmas, and there is already a festive atmosphere at the Rheged Centre, where it takes place.
Rheged Centre, Penrith
10 Dec 2017
(Market)
