Whats On

Ambleside Daffodil & Spring Flower Show –  31 March – 1 April held in The Kelsick Centre, Ambleside - Traditional friendly village show. Classes for spring flowers and bulbs, floral arts, photography, handicrafts, cookery and children's classes. Refreshments available.

South Cumbria Musical Festival – 25/31 March held at The Coronation Hall, Ulverston - South Cumbria's premier competitive Festival. Special awards and bursaries worth £2,000. Seven days of music/speech classes, with internationally accredited adjudicators. Open to all amateur performers in Brass, Instrumental, Vocal, Choral and Speech. Soloists or groups - all ages welcome.

Hawkshead Trail – 28 April - The 17k Hawkshead Trail Race and Challenge follow well marked and marshalled courses through some of the most scenic and varied countryside in the Lake District - Beatrix Potter country ! New for 2012! a shorter distance 10km Hawkshead Trail Run for those new to off road running.

Cartmel Races – Ladies Night 2 June held at Cartmel Racecourse, Cartmel - The course at Cartmel is a left handed oval of about one mile one furlong, which is bisected by the finishing straight. The run in at just over four furlongs is the longest in the country, and with the tight nature of the bends, undulating contours and carnival atmosphere all around, races at Cartmel are quite interesting, and it is well worth noting that some horses run particularly well at Cartmel and often win here and nowhere else.

Party in the Park – 3 June from 12 noon until 6pm on the Recreation Ground, Hawkshead. Live music, brass and steel bands, BBQ’s, entertainments, strawberries & cream, picnic area, hog roasts and much more for the best in a great family day out. Free entry and plenty of parking available at a cost of £2 for the whole day. For more information call Dougie Bell 015394 36219 or email him at dougie@walkerground.co.uk 

Cartmel Races – Diamond Jubilee 4 June – held at Cartmel Racecourse, Cartmel - The course at Cartmel is a left handed oval of about one mile one furlong, which is bisected by the finishing straight. The run in at just over four furlongs is the longest in the country, and with the tight nature of the bends, undulating contours and carnival atmosphere all around, races at Cartmel are quite interesting, and it is well worth noting that some horses run particularly well at Cartmel and often win here and nowhere else.

Cartmel Races - Burlington Veterans Steeplechase 6 June – held at Cartmel Racecourse, Cartmel - The course at Cartmel is a left handed oval of about one mile one furlong, which is bisected by the finishing straight. The run in at just over four furlongs is the longest in the country, and with the tight nature of the bends, undulating contours and carnival atmosphere all around, races at Cartmel are quite interesting, and it is well worth noting that some horses run particularly well at Cartmel and often win here and nowhere else. 

The Holker Garden Festival – 8/10 June – held at Holker Hall, Cark-in-Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands - The annual Holker Garden Festival is a celebration of gardens, countryside and food....all set in one of the most perfect landscapes nature can offer.

Grasmere Gallop – 9 June - Organised by the National Trust Grasmere Rangers. Grasmere Gallop 10 km Trail Run, 5.70 km Fun Run and 10 km Nordic Walk. 

Cartmel Races – Barbeque Race Day 21 June – held at Cartmel Racecourse, Cartmel - The course at Cartmel is a left handed oval of about one mile one furlong, which is bisected by the finishing straight. The run in at just over four furlongs is the longest in the country, and with the tight nature of the bends, undulating contours and carnival atmosphere all around, races at Cartmel are quite interesting, and it is well worth noting that some horses run particularly well at Cartmel and often win here and nowhere else.

Olympic Torch Arrival – 21 June - A crowd pleasing show will be staged following the arrival of the Olympic Torch in Windermere. Les Commandos Percu Free Show presents a spectacular new event featuring original music, drumming and a pyrotechnics display to celebrate the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is an occasion to book your accommodation as early as possible for this very special event.

British Gas Great North Swim Windermere – 22/24 June – held at Low Wood Hotel Marina, Windermere - The Great North Swim is a one mile open water swim in England’s largest Lake, Windermere. Following its launch in September 2008 the event has already become world renowned, having been voted 5th in the Top 100 Open Water Swims in the World.

Cartmel Races – Barbeque Monday 23 June – held at Cartmel Racecourse, Cartmel - The course at Cartmel is a left handed oval of about one mile one furlong, which is bisected by the finishing straight. The run in at just over four furlongs is the longest in the country, and with the tight nature of the bends, undulating contours and carnival atmosphere all around, races at Cartmel are quite interesting, and it is well worth noting that some horses run particularly well at Cartmel and often win here and nowhere else.

Ulverston Carnival Day – 2 July - held in Ulverston Town Centre - Carnival Day brings out local families in their thousands and attracts visitors from all over the country. The day's entertainment starts in the town centre, where the traditional street market brings the normal hustle and bustle to the Saturday streets.

Ambleside Rushbearing - 7 July – held Ambleside Primary School to Ambleside Church via the Market Place - Ambleside Rushbearing Procession, church service and sports is a traditional event dating back well over a hundred years. It recalls the time when church floors were earthen and rushes were gathered to place on the floors in the summer so keeping the place a bit warmer in the winter. The Procession is lead by Burneside Brass Band. It stops in the Market Place for the traditional Rushbearing hymn. At this point the Bearings are all raised for a great photo opportunity!

Furness Tradition Festival – 13/15 July – held at Ulverston Town Centre - Festival of traditional music, dance and song. Concerts, street entertainment, workshops, pub sessions, charities fair and displays.

Lakeland Rose, Garden & Craft Show – 14/15 July - held at Westmorland County Show Ground, Lane Farm, Crooklands, Milnthorpe - Possibly the biggest flower and floral art show in the area, with classes for roses, sweet peas, fuchsias, geraniums, honey and floral art featuring entries from the country's top exhibitors and demonstrators. The National Sweet Pea Society will also be hosting their perennial show. Huge craft stall area, horticultural trade displays and stalls with a wide variety of other stalls and demonstrations. Garden problem-busting sessions with lots of experts to advise. Arena entertainment including concerts by Milnthorpe Steel Band. Full catering facilities available.

Coniston Country Fair - 22 July – held at Coniston Hall Farm - Coniston Country Fair offers visitors and locals alike a chance to experience a traditional country fair. The fair takes place in the unique lakeside setting of Coniston Hall against the magnificent backdrop of Coniston Old Man and is a prime attraction to thousands of visitors and locals alike. It includes RAF helicopter display, Herdwick sheep show, craft marquee, ferret racing/show, gun dog demo/scurry and much more.

North Lonsdale Agricultural Show – 26 July – held at Bardsea Park - This traditional agricultural show is held in the glorious surroundings of Bardsea Park, overlooking Morecambe Bay - a real family day out.

Ambleside Traditional Lakeland Sports – 26 July – held at Rydal Park, half a mile north of Ambleside. For over 200 years, local and visitors alike have enjoyed watching and participating in the traditional Lakeland event. Ambleside Sports offers everything for a great day out for all the family whatever the weather. Events include Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling complete with traditional costume and fell races.

Cumbria Steam Gathering – 28/29 July – held at Cark Airfield, Flookburgh, Grange-over-Sands - Premier steam event with traction engines, cars, commercial tractors, motor cycles & pedal cycles, crafts, lawn mower racing, fairground, music, entertainment, models and collections. Arena displays with sheep demonstrations and sheep show.

Lake District Summer Music Festival - 28 July/12 August – held in various venues around Cumbria - This annual festival takes place throughout Cumbria, in venues such as the Coronation Hall, Ulverston and the Kendal Leisure Centre, not to mention the many churches in smaller villages, such as Ambleside, Rydal and Kirkby Lonsdale. This festival brings together world-class artists performing evening concerts, day time recitals and master classes to suit all tastes and ages.

Cartmel Show – 1 August – held at Cartmel Park, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands - Cartmel Show is always a firm favourite with both visitors and locals. The Show, held on the first Wednesday in August, offers a profusion of family entertainment packed into the picturesque parkland setting at Cartmel Racecourse. A traditional Country Show with its roots firmly within the agricultural community, Carmel Show provides the opportunity to sample the delights of rural life at its best.

Lake District Sheepdog Trial – 4 August – held at Hill Farm, Ings, Staveley, Kendal - Open Sheepdog Trials, crafts and demonstrations, foxhound, terrier and sheepdog show, hound trails, Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling, catering. Excellent natural grandstand. Car park and children free.

Rydal Sheep Dog Trials – 9 August – held at Rydal Park, Near Ambleside - Sheep dog trials, hound show, eagles show, harrier show, show of shepherds' crooks and sticks, beer tent and trade stands.

Lakeland Country Fair – 19 August – held at junction of A593 and A5084 - Traditional Cumbrian Country Fair, including terriers, lurchers, foxhounds, beagles, sheepdogs, ferrets, Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, fell races, dog show, stick show, children’s sports, terrier racing, horn-blowing competition, displays and demonstrations, trade stands, refreshments, barbecue, bar, sideshows etc. Free parking. Fun for all the family!

Hawkshead Agricultural Show – 21 August – held at Hawkshead Hall Farm - Agricultural and horticultural show including trade stands, horse, pet and sheep classes, cattle, home industries, Made in Cumbria stalls and hound trails.

Cartmel Races – Charity Night 23 August – held at Cartmel Racecourse, Cartmel - The course at Cartmel is a left handed oval of about one mile one furlong, which is bisected by the finishing straight. The run in at just over four furlongs is the longest in the country, and with the tight nature of the bends, undulating contours and carnival atmosphere all around, races at Cartmel are quite interesting, and it is well worth noting that some horses run particularly well at Cartmel and often win here and nowhere else.

Cartmel Races – Cartmel Cup 25 August – held at Cartmel Racecourse, Cartmel - The course at Cartmel is a left handed oval of about one mile one furlong, which is bisected by the finishing straight. The run in at just over four furlongs is the longest in the country, and with the tight nature of the bends, undulating contours and carnival atmosphere all around, races at Cartmel are quite interesting, and it is well worth noting that some horses run particularly well at Cartmel and often win here and nowhere else.

Cartmel Races – August Bank Holiday Festival 27 August – held at Cartmel Racecourse, Cartmel - The course at Cartmel is a left handed oval of about one mile one furlong, which is bisected by the finishing straight. The run in at just over four furlongs is the longest in the country, and with the tight nature of the bends, undulating contours and carnival atmosphere all around, races at Cartmel are quite interesting, and it is well worth noting that some horses run particularly well at Cartmel and often win here and nowhere else.

Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show – 28 August – held at Grasmere Sports Field - One of the longest running Lakeland Sports. The Sports is now in its 160th year since records began and still embodies the principles of the founders. Over the years the Sports have evolved and as well as the traditional events of Wrestling, Fell Running and Hound Trailing the new sports of Mountain Bike Racing and Para-gliding are included. Additionally, there is a Terrier and Pet Dog Show and a family Tug of War competition. In the main arena there are demonstrations which change each year.

Westmorland County Show - 13 September – held at Lane Farm, Crooklands, Milnthorpe - One of Britain’s Oldest and Cumbria’s Biggest Livestock Shows featuring: sheep, cattle, pigs, goats, alpacas also horses, poultry, hounds dogs, heavy horse and rare breeds. Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, WI, Learning for Life and Craft marquees. 350+ Trade Stands and the country’s largest local produce food hall with celebrity chef demonstrations. Free parking and free bus service to and from Kendal.

Coniston Powerboat Records Week – 5/9 November - Coniston Boating Centre, adjacent to the Bluebird Cafe, Lake Road - Coniston Record Week is the only event in the power boating calendar open to all classes of boat from the smallest hydroplanes to the largest offshore boats. Drivers must hold a current RYA licence and boats be in a valid RYA Class. The first run is, weather permitting, at 8am. Lunch is from 12.00 - 2.00pm. The final run is normally around 4.00pm, depending on light. Final run on Friday is at 2pm but no lunch.

Ambleside Lantern Procession & Christmas Lights Switch on – 17 November - Every year on the third Saturday in November, the people of Ambleside parade through the town at dusk, carrying hundreds of paper lanterns. Young and old turn out to witness this spectacular procession, as traffic is halted and Christmas street lights throughout the town centre are switched on as if by magic by Santa Claus.

Dickensian Festival – 24/25 November – held in Ulverston - A fantastic celebration of Christmas and Charles Dickens. Entertainment for all the family, with stalls, a Christmas food fayre, period costume fancy dress, parades and processions.

Hawkshead Christmas Fair – 30 Nov/2 Dec - The annual Hawkshead Christmas Fair is a traditional family fair offering seasonal shopping and entertainment. There's free admission and all the picturesque alleys, squares and cobbled streets of Hawkshead village will be seasonally decorated.