The spectacular Western Lake District boasts England’s highest mountain,
deepest lake, smallest church, biggest liar and funniest face…And that’s not
all! Here is just a taste of the diverse events on offer throughout 2013 in this
vibrant area…
A feast of Flowers at Muncaster Castle
4th – 6th May
The gardens are usually in peak flower at this time of year so this is a lovely chance
to see the rhododendrons for which Muncaster is famous and enjoy a stroll along the
terrace before visiting the Castle where there will be an array of amazing floral
displays on show. Guests can take a free garden tour with a member of the
Pennington family and head along to one of the demonstrations to learn how to cook
with flowers with the talented chefs from the Pennington Hotels.
www.muncaster.co.uk
Woolfest
28th & 29th June
Cockermouth’s own quirky celebration of all things wool! This year’s Woolfest will
even feature its very own ‘Woolycultural Show with traditional fruit, vegetable, garden
and flower exhibits – but they will all be made out of wool! From rare breed animals
and raw fleece to yarn, tools, equipment and a stunning array of individually
designed and made wool products, Woolfest boasts over 160 stalls as well as an
entertaining range of activities, demonstrations, competitions and presentations.
www.woolfest.co.uk
Maryport Blues Festival, Maryport
26th – 28th July
Once again the small Cumbrian harbour town of Maryport will come alive with the
sound of blues for the 13th Maryport Blues Festival. More than 40 bands and 150
individual musicians from across the globe will showcase their talents to thousands
of visitors. Venues range from the main stage marquee, to pubs, clubs and even on
the street. The festival has rapidly gained prominence, and is now seen as one of the
most important blues festivals of the year.
www.maryportblues.com
Solfest
23rd – 25th August
Solfest takes place over the August Bank Holiday and is a fantastic three day family
friendly festival of live music, activities and entertainment. Big name bands such as
Maximo Park, The Undertones and Utah Saints are mixed with diverse performers
across four stages and the eclectic musical offering is complemented with a Traders
Village, Healing Garden, an unusual range of workshops, Kids’ Arena, kite displays,
art exhibitions and delicious food and drink. This is a unique independent festival
that’s not to be missed.
www.solfest.org.uk
The World Gurning Championships, Egremont
21st September
The World Gurning Championships are held each year at the Egremont Crab Fair
and Sports. This traditional fair is proud host to the renowned competition in which
contestants pull ugly faces through a horse collar or 'braffin'. Gurning is not the only
unusual activity at the festival… Climbing the Greasy Pole, the Apple Cart Parade,
dialect singing and a pipe smoking competition can all be enjoyed.
www.egremontcrabfair.com
Taste Cumbria, Cockermouth
28th & 29th September
The pretty town of Cockermouth plays host once again to this vibrant showcase of
spectacular local food. In previous years the foodie feast has boasted cookery
demonstrations from top celebrity chefs, a heaving farmers market and outside bars
serving local ales along with the area’s very best culinary talent, informative master
classes and workshops from Cumbrian food heroes, live music and street
entertainment, plus an interactive children’s learning area. This year’s guests and
activities are still to be announced so watch this space!
www.tastecumbria.com
The Wasdale Head Show and Shepherds Meet
12th October
For an authentic West Cumbrian day out few events beat the Wasdale Head
Shepherds Meet and Show, held in the hamlet of Wasdale Head, at the head of
Wastwater, England's Deepest Lake. The show-ground is at the foot of Scafell Pike the highest mountain in England and in the next field to the show is Saint Olaf's
Church, said to be England’s smallest church. In a setting literally surrounded by
mountains, this is a traditional Cumbrian show with hound trails, fell racing, children’s
sports, Cumberland wrestling, Craft Barn, vintage machinery, produce stands and a
beer tent.
www.wasdaleheadshow.co.uk
Halloween Week at Muncaster Castle
26th October – 1st November
Muncaster Castle is reported to be one of the most haunted places in the UK…This
year the castle is celebrating Halloween in style with a Ghostly Grotto for creepy
crafts, face painting and stories, an Owl Crypt where guests can find out about the
work of the World Owl Trust, ghoulish garden illuminations, a ‘Scariest Maze’ and
ghost tours of the castle plus twilight tours of the Owl Centre.
www.muncaster.co.uk
The World’s Biggest Liar Competition, Wasdale,
November
As well as being home to England’s deepest lake, highest mountain and smallest
church, the beautiful Wasdale Valley is also host to the World’s Biggest Liar
Competition. Each year this unusual event, which attracts world-wide attention,
takes place at the Santon Bridge Inn in honour of the World’s Biggest Liar of over
100 years ago, Will Ritson. In recent years the audience heard a winning tale
involving a mayonnaise and peanut butter sandwich and Prince Charles…
www.santonbridgeinn.com/liar/
Santa Express on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
Various dates throughout November and December
This yuletide season guests can take a pretty festive trip on this scenic steam railway
which starts at Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park,
then journeys across the estuary, through the hills, to Dalegarth for Boot Station.
This wonderful route was one of Wainwright’s favourites, crossing seven miles of
spectacular scenery to the foot of England’s highest mountains. Father Christmas
will accompany children on this magical winter ride and there will be a stop off to
explore his twinkling Dalegarth Grotto.
www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk