Visit Stand UKI168
PRESS RELEASE
November 2015
ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT: THE INSPIRING SETTING FOR
OUTSTANDING CULTURE
Romeo & Juliet performed in the
grounds of Blackwell, Lake District
The Lake District is a convenient, unique and desirable destination for a UK itinerary - with the
tranquillity of the countryside, the historical and contemporary culture, fantastic regional highquality food and drink, plus it’s closer than you think; less than 3 hours from London Euston with
Virgin Trains, only 1.5 hours from Manchester and Liverpool by road or rail, on the mainline
train route to Glasgow, or an hour’s drive to Scotland.
It is true the Lake District’s natural beauty is internationally famous, but the cultural significance
of this beautiful area in England’s North West is of equal importance in terms of a visit and a
must for anyone wishing to truly experience what makes it special and different from anywhere
else.
Tourists have been visiting the Lake District for more than 200 years, for adventures for the
body and soul, the mind and spirit. The landscape has inspired some of the world’s greatest
artists and radical thinkers of their time – William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter, J.M.W. Turner,
John Ruskin, Kurt Schwitters and Andy Goldsworthy.
Today, a rich creative life builds on that exceptional heritage. Within a few miles visitors can see
and feel the impact of this cultural landscape in many forms: artworks in mountains and forests,
the many galleries and artists’ studios, and the packed programme of festivals – all played out
for visitors in intimate venues and outdoor stages in stunning settings.
2016 will play host to some long-running and award-winning events, as well as some new
cultural experiences that will give visitors some unique memories to take home.
Here are just 10 things that should definitely be included in next year’s English itineraries:
1. 2016 will mark the 150th anniversary of Beatrix Potter. The National Trust properties
in the Lake District will be the proper places to celebrate the life of this iconic author,
illustrator and conservationist. Events will take place throughout the year at various
properties.
2. Words by the Water (4 - 13 March), 100 events in 10 days all focussing on words and
ideas with well-known writers, journalists and politicians.
3. A Masterpiece on Tour from the National Gallery will be at Abbot Hall Art Gallery from
19 March – 15 May. A Rembrandt self-portrait in an intimate gallery; not to be missed.
May is festival time with three great events:
4. Lakes Ignite (30 Apr – 16 May) – showcasing a wide range of performance, art, music
and exhibitions alongside exciting new artistic work inspired by the landscape. [link
shows archive material from 2015]
5. Keswick Jazz Festival (12 – 15 May) with 90 events in 4 days, based in the North
Lakes.
6. Freerange Comedy Festival (16 – 22 May) – the Brewery Arts Centre takes some of
the UK’s biggest names in comedy and puts them on the stage, up mountains, across
lakes and in castles!
For the second half of the year we are looking forward to:
7. New for 2016, the Lake District National Park will host live acts and digital art at
Brockhole to commemorate and celebrate our fascination with flight. The event,
directed by international artist Geraldine Pilgrim, will focus on the Lake District's
aeronautical history during WWI.
8. Don’t miss the summer season at Theatre by the Lake, a most beautifully positioned
theatre on the shores of Derwentwater. From August to November, you can see all six
plays in a week – perfect for filling a Lake District itinerary.
9. In August, the long-standing Lake District Summer Music festival fills various venues
around the Lake District with the sounds of classical, jazz and opera; featuring worldfamous artists, world premieres and new collaborations. (30 Jul – 12 Aug)
10. Known across the globe by outdoor enthusiasts, Kendal Mountain Festival is one of the
leading adventure film festivals in the world. Every November, thousands gather to
share adventures and celebrate the very best in outdoor and adventure sports culture.
(17 – 20 Nov)
This is just a taster of the outstanding culture to be experienced in the Lake District – download
the full 2016 calendar in our exhibitor profile for more.
Visit www.lakesculture.co.uk for suggestions for cultural itineraries in the Lake District and a list
of Top 20 Must See cultural things to do.
Next year, The Lake District National Park Partnership will bid for UNESCO World Heritage
status for the Lake District as a cultural landscape – make sure it is on your top destination list
too.
Tell a different story for your visitors – experience Lakes Culture. Visit us on stand UKI168.
www.lakesculture.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LakesCulture
For further information and images about the Lake District and Cumbria
see http://wordsworth.org.uk/WTMDropbox or more general information at www.golakes.co.uk –
website by Cumbria Tourism.
ENDS