Find out what’s going to be on in the area during your stay, or find out what’s happening then plan your stay?
Either way, there’s plenty to see and do!
The Coniston 14 is probably the most beautiful road race in Britain. Each year it attracts some 1600 runners and has a reputation for being one of the best organised small races in the country. The Race is organised by an enthusiastic committee of volunteers from Coniston village.
Starting and finishing at Hawkshead, the 16K Hawkshead Trail Race, 16K Hawkshead Trail Challenge and 10K Hawkshead Trail Run follow circuits along fully marked and marshalled footpaths and bridleways, taking in panoramic views of Windermere and the surrounding peaks of the Coniston Hills, the Langdales and most of the Lakeland fells. All of the routes take in the infamous, mile long, near vertical, killer climb of the “Coffin Trail”! Underfoot conditions are generally good, particularly for those used to off-road running.
The Lakeland Loop Cycle Sportive is a challenging ride which starts from the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in Great Langdale. The Loop is approximately 69 miles long, taking in some of the finest views of the Lake District and some its most challenging climbs. The route includes Whinlatter Pass, Hardknott Pass and Wrynose Pass and if you’re hoping that the rest is flat, then you’re going to be disappointed. It’s one of the oldest events in the North West and remains a classic. If you’re thinking of the Fred Whitton, then this will give you a taste and will serve as an ideal training ride! Make sure you have the right gears and join us for a day of climbing hills!
The Fred Whitton Challenge consists of a 113 mile sportive around the Lake District, now a World Heritage Site. Starting at Grasmere and taking in climbs of Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott, Wrynose and Blea Tarn passes.
Grasmere Gallop has teamed up with the OMM Festival for an epic outdoor weekend. The weekend will have a variety of events to whet the appetite of first time racers and seasoned vets alike. There is an event to suit every ability, from a teddy bear dash to fully marked trail races and the adventure trail races of the OMM Lite, whether you are looking to challenge yourself or enjoy a fun run out.
Attracting around 10,000 participants every year, the Great North Swim is the UK’s biggest open water swimming event. Held on Windermere across three days, participants are offered the chance to take part in half-mile, one-mile, two-mile, or five-kilometer swims, setting off in waves of approximately 300 every half an hour. The course starts and finishes on dry land with a run or walk into the water and swimmers can relax safe in the knowledge that expert kayakers and safety boats are with them, every stroke of the way.
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.
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.
Locals and visitors to Ambleside have enjoyed watching and taking part in this traditional Lakeland Sports Day. The attractions for this years event will include: Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling, Hound Trails, Foot & Cycle races, Fell races, Children’s races, Catering marquee and Licenced marquee.
From here the route heads to Matterdale and continues over to Haweswater before returning via Kentmere, Ambleside and Elterwater to the finish at Coniston. The route does not pass over any of the ‘popular’ Lakeland summits. Instead, it weaves it’s way through stunning valleys, coutours picturesque fells and cuts it’s own line through the amazing Lakeland topography. The Lakeland 100 will take you to places in Cumbria you may never have visited before and it’s likely you’ll wonder why.
The route starts from the Northern end of Ullswater within the grand Dalemain Estate before following the Eastern shore line as far as Howtown. A quick climb and descent followed by a trek along the banks of Haweswater sees you at Mardale Head. The route from here visits Long Sleddale, Kentmere, Ambleside, Langdale and Tilberthwaite before the final climb and descent to the finish at Coniston. It is a truly amazing route and you will visit places that you never knew existed, places which are ignored by the masses..
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.
The Rydal Show also has over 20 trade stands offering country life shopping including clothing and accessories, art and displays. A licensed bar will be open from 11am – 7pm and food will include full catering using local produce from a seated catering tent, as well as sandwiches, cakes, Cumberland sausage and burgers.
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.
The Grasmere Sports & Show takes place on Bank Holiday Sunday 25th August 2024 at The Showfield in Grasmere. It’s one of the longest-running Lake District sports events and is now in its 172nd year. Grasmere Sports features traditional sports from Cumberland & Westmorland wrestling to fell running and hound trailing.
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.
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.