Events

With celebrity chefs, cookery demos, sausage competitions, entertainment for all ages and of course the food! To sample, to buy to eat and to take home for later. The Festival welcomes a range of specialist and gourmet food and drink suppliers from Cumbria and Northern Britain, plus a selection of craft and giftware to complete your retail experience.

Spring flower show of cut flowers,shrubs,bowl classes,pot plants,alpines,childrens classes,photos,cookery,handicrafts,floral art, refreshments, raffle,trophies for the winners

Location: Kelsick Centre St Mary’s Lane Ambleside, Ambleside, LA22 9SJ

Price: £1.50 – £2.00.

Type of Event: Flower Show /Open Garden

The second race in the Petzl series takes place at Grizedale Forest. The start and finish venue is based at Grizedale Visitors Centre, in the Lake District, which is ideal venue for families and supporters. As with all our night runner races, fancy dress is actively encouraged and the theme for Grizedale is “Christmas Festivities”. There’s a free kids race with medals for everyone, there will be Christmas carols and Santa might even make an appearance! Get in the festive mood, join us for the Petzl Night Runner Grizedale.

The Cumbrian Cracker is one of the original Lakeland cycle sportives. It’s a 60 miles route which starts and finishes in Grasmere village and climbs ‘Red Bank’ within the first mile! The route continues round the back of Coniston Water to reach the food stop at Cartmel scout hut. The return leg then weaves it’s way through fantastic country lanes, via Grizedale forest, Hawkshead and Ambleside. The route is undulating but does not climb any of the major passes. The roads in South Lakeland are some of the best you will ever ride and well worth the trip! This is a classic Autumn sportive and an EPIC day out on the bike, make sure you join us!

Cumbrian Cracker

The Lakeland Trails 100K Ultra is our ultimate trail with its iconic midnight start, taking the challenge to a new, but achievable level for a truly memorable journey encompassing the finest trails the Lake District has to offer.  The 55K Ultra is a testing ultra marathon course through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the Lake District. The tough, challenging course will certainly live up to its billing as the most picturesque ultra marathon in the UK.

Lakeland Ultra

The Aquasphere Epic Lakes Swim Coniston is event 3 of the Epic Lakes Open Water Swim Series. It takes place at Monk Coniston, at the North end of the lake. You can choose either the 500m, the 1 mile or the ‘Iron’ 3.8k distances, depending upon your age and ability. Coniston provides yet another fantastic venue, with stunning views and it’s a great family day out. Visit the famous Bluebird Cafe or take a ride on the Steam Gondola. Coniston is of course famous for Donald Campbell’s speed record, but you can take things a bit more leisurely and enjoy the surroundings. It’s going to be another EPIC day of swimming, come and join us!

Coniston Epic Lake Swim

The marquees are filled with exhibits of horticulture, home produce, handicrafts, photography and film. On the sports field there are fell races, track races plus many other events such as egg throwing and tug-of-war. There are also many children’s competitions covering everything above and much more including fancy dress and a pet competition. There is the possibility you could win one of thirty trophies which are presented each year and of course one of many cash prizes.

There are many other activities for all, including craft and local interest stalls, catering and beer tents. Rusland Show is set up and run by the local community. We work hard to give you a great day out. Something we have done for over 130 years now.

Rusland Show

The route starts in Grasmere and takes you on a rugged climb towards Easdale Tarn and then on to the impressive Stickle tarn, which is set in a wide bowl and overlooked by Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle, these peaks once formed part of the rim of a wide volcano.
Continuing on your epic trail run you head back down the Cumbria way towards Greater Langdale where you follow the river and make your way towards Loughrigg Tarn. These trails are so incredibly stunning you will loose yourself in the ancient woodlands.

The Maverick Adidas Terrex X-Series

The Ambleside 50K on 17 September 2023 is a trail race through some of the most spectacular scenery the Lake District has to offer.

Starting from Rothay Park in Ambleside, the course runs up and over Loughrigg towards Skelwith Bridge then heads towards Coniston, Little Langdale and Grasmere before returning to Ambleside.

Ambleside 50K

A beautiful, challenging marathon course set in England’s most spectacular mountain scenery. The Langdale Marathon has a reputation as the toughest road marathon in the UK. Taking in two laps of the Half Marathon course and reaching gradients of 1:3, this stunning marathon attracts both seasoned runners and a large number of people looking for their next challenge.

Langdale Marathon

The Grizedale Trail 13 & 26 take place from Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre, near Hawkshead in the Lake District. The half marathon course is the first 13 miles of the marathon route and takes place on good forest tracks. The route is ‘undulating’ but you are rewarded with some great views of Coniston and surrounding areas. Grizedale Visitor Centre is the finish for the half marathon, but the full marathon distance runners will continue to complete an Eastern loop towards Windermere. The terrain is varied, with some road sections, but it’s certainly not flat. The event always fills in advance and is a fantastic way to start the year!

Grizedale Trail

From the shores of Coniston Water into the shadows of the Old Man passing through the historic workings of the Coppermines Valley.

We’ll have a NEW venue for 2024 but we’ll still be using the same Coniston trails which everyone love, following circuits along well marked and marshalled footpaths and bridleways, taking in panoramic views of Coniston Water and the surrounding peaks of the Old Man, Swirl How, Wetherlam and Dow Crags. Underfoot conditions are generally good for those used to off road running, although there is one short section on the 15K routes which only agile mountain goats will be able to run!

A carnival atmosphere is guaranteed for both spectators and competitors, with live music, race commentary, food and drink all available at the start and finish. So, whether you’re new to trail running, an experienced athlete, or simply looking for an unforgettable day out in the Lake District, a family-friendly, festival atmosphere and some amazing trail running awaits you!

Lakeland Trail Coniston

Starting and finishing at Coniston Hall Landing Point on the shores of Coniston Water, the Lakeland Trails Marathon takes in a complete circuit of Coniston Water along fully marked and marshalled footpaths and bridleways. Taking in the idyllic beauty spot of Tarn Hows and the elevated Beacon Tarn, the whole course gives panoramic views of Lake Coniston and the surrounding peaks of the Old Man, Swirl How, Wetherlam and Dow Crags. Described by Runners’ World magazine as ‘the most scenic trail Marathon in Britain’ this event is quickly becoming a classic European trail marathon.

Lakeland Trails Marathon

The 2024 Chillswim Coniston Swim will be held on Saturday 22nd June – Event HQ is based at John Ruskin School in Coniston. This will be the 12th year of this incredible swimming event! Chillswim Coniston has been sold out every year since its inception. It’s a unique swim with a highly experienced management team.

There will be 750 swimmers, completing the full length of lake swim in 7 separate starts based on your average mile pace to give you the best experience possible. This event has always been a wetsuit optional swim. Click on the link below.

Coniston End to End

Ambleside – along with near neighbours Grasmere – has honoured Rushbearing for over 200 years and early records illustrate the importance of the event to the town. A decorated rush harp is displayed at the head of the Rushbearing which follows a traditional route from St Mary’s Church as the procession of bearers carrying decorated rushes is brought up by the rush World and joined by children carrying rush bundles.

The procession halts in Market Place where the time-honoured Rushbearing Song is recounted and rushes raised before returning to a service of thanksgiving and dedication as garlands are displayed in the church. Children receive local gingerbread – often a bribe for their attendance in years gone by – before children’s Rushbearing sports and prized guide race takes place in Rothay Park.

Ambleside Rushbearing

For 50 years, the Cumbria Steam & Vintage Vehicle Society Ltd has been bringing together vintage vehicles from across the world to Cark Airfield in Flookburgh, near Grange-over-Sands, for one massive summer gathering. A huge colourful and noisy weekend event with a variety of entertainments, the Steam Gathering will feature splendid steam engines and vintage commercial vehicles, as well as hundreds of classic transport favourites including cars, motorcycles, bicycles, agricultural and industrial tractors, farm equipment and stationary engines. This year we are pleased to be able to welcome members of the Ford and Fordson Association who will stage their annual Expo display at Flookburgh. The display, which aims to highlight the varied output of the Ford Motor Company, mainly in respect of their contribution to agricultural mechanisation, is now in its tenth year and this will be the first time that this event has been staged in this part of the country. For fans of blue (and green and orange, with possibly a few grey) tractors, this is an occasion not to be missed.

steamgathering

The Lakeland Country Fair takes place at Torver, near Coniston, in the beautiful countryside looking across to the Coniston fells and Coniston Old Man. It is easily accessible, at Little Arrow, Torver, on the A593, a few miles west of Coniston village.

As well as being a typical Cumbrian show, the Lakeland Country Fair acts as a showcase for traditional Cumbrian skills and activities. There will be sheep on display and demonstrations of hand-clipping will take place during the afternoon.

Lakeland Country Fair

Chillswim Windermere 2024 will take place on Saturday 31st August. It’s the longest swim in England and a unique chance to swim the full 11 mile length with all of your swimming friends whilst knowing you are safe in the hands of the highly experienced management team at Chillswim.

Chill Swim Windermere

Located on the fringes of the Lake District, Westmorland County Show is a fantastic day out – voted as one of the UK’s favourite Shows and enjoyed by over 30,000 visitors every year.  A major livestock Show with classes for cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and alpacas, heavy and light horses too, there’s plenty to see.

Come and meet the foxhounds, get up close to magnificent cattle, marvel at the show jumping, discover the interactive displays in our Learning for Life Marquee, get inspired by the WI’s crafty creations, or cheer on your favourites in the Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling.

Be tempted by artisan chocolates, cheeses, pies, gins and much more in the North West’s largest local Food Hall, or drop the children off at our creche and enjoy the Show at your own pace.

With the chance to discover the best of farming and the countryside, as well as seeing some of the country’s top quality livestock, shop till you drop amongst hundreds of trade stands or get involved with our Rural Craft have-a-go areas, you’ll be spoilt for choice at this year’s Show.

Westmorland County Show

The event starts around 10.30 am with the first steamer ready to set off on the lake in search of Santa. Other events happening throughout the day in the village.  From about 3.45 pm, lantern bearers gather outside the Gables Hotel at the bottom of Compston Road, where the lantern bearers will turn on their LED LIGHTING.

Santa arrives to head the procession which leaves at 4.30 pm, all lanterns lit up. Off we go up Compston Road with Father Christmas switching the lights on and weaving a spell with his magic dust as we parade around the village.

Ambleside Christmas Lights

Ulverston’s Dickensian Christmas Festival is managed and operated by an independent local committee of unpaid volunteers on a non-profit making basis; it is funded by fund raising efforts throughout the year and income from stalls and mulled wine sales of the previous year.

Founded in 2000 the festival has grown in size and duration over the past 23 years and has established itself as one of the busiest and most popular Dickensian festivals in the country. Customers enjoy the festive atmosphere and the quality and variety of products on offer.

Ulverston is a beautiful historic market town with cobbled streets situated in a spectacular location on the edge of the Lake District.

Dickensian Festival

The Christmas Pudding 10K is a popular start to the festive season in the Lake District for locals and visitors alike. With over 1000 entered at its peak, this race appeals to all who enjoy the fun side of running, with festive fancy dress encouraged! Every finisher receives a Christmas pudding and there’s a prize for the best dressed to help get you into the Christmas spirit!

Christmas Pudding 10K