2018 Lake District Events You Need on Your Calendar

Peter Rabbit Mania – Launches in March

Don’t miss the release of the Peter Rabbit’s feature adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s classic tale – a rebellious rabbit trying to sneak into a farmer’s vegetable garden.  James Corden is the voice of Peter with Margot Robbie, Daisy Ridley and Rose Byrne voicing other creatures. Where better to watch in than right here in the Lakes. We have two local cinemas to choose from The Royalty in Bowness and Zeffirellis in Ambleside. 

Why not immerse yourself with Beatrix Potter’s most famous character and spend a day learning about everything that inspired one of the Lake District’s most famous exports! Visit Hill Top where Beatrix Potter took her inspiration from, or (for the younger members of the family) visit The World Of Beatrix Potter in Bowness to see many of Beatrix’s creations bought to life, why not take in afternoon tea with Peter Rabbit himself while you’re there! All these attractions are easily accessible straight from your front door at Windermere Marina Village.

Don’t Miss Out at Brockhole

Brockhole is an amazing place with plenty to see and do, and you can find a whole year of activities already sorted out with you in mind! Because there are so many of them, it would be impossible to list them all, so make sure to check out their website to see what you and your family can do in this centre!

Some of the events you can start looking forward to are:

Family Ramble (April 4th and 11th), which teaches children how to safely hike in the countryside
Garden Tour around Brockhole’s Mawson gardens (several dates throughout the year)
Heritage Trail to Troutbeck Walk (several dates)

Boat Show (May 18th to 20th)

In May 2018, Windermere is the place to be for boating enthusiasts. The shores of Lake Windermere will be brimming with windsurfing, kayaking, motor boats, luxury yachts, and so much more. This is the perfect chance to admire all the new vessels on offer and meet new suppliers.

Wordsworth Wednesdays (Every Wednesday)

Every Wednesday during the school holidays, the Dove Cottage and Wordsworth Museum’s Education team will be at Brockhole, the Lake District Windermere Visitor Centre. With informative workshops that the little ones will love, you can expect this wonderful team to explore a short poem by Wordsworth, sing songs, tell stories and play with toys and games. There will also be some fun crafts and creative writing activities!

Country Fest (June 2nd to 3rd)

The Westmorland County Agricultural Society is organising about Country Fest this upcoming June – what better way to celebrate the beginning of summer? This family event will have everything you could possibly want, from tasty food and drink and countryside activities to children’s workshops, live music and stunt displays.

Animal lovers will have the chance to see several fan favourites as well, such as the Sheepdog Trials, the Dog Show and the Rabbit Show.

Tickets are on sale now, so don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity!

Great North Swim (June 8th to 10th)

If you’re looking for something exciting to do during summer in Brockhole on Windermere, the Great North Swim is just what you need. Choose the right distance for you, from 250m to 10km. You can watch it instead of participating if you so wish and still have plenty of fun. Open water swimming surrounded by the stunning beauty of the Lake District makes for a wonderful weekend in the great outdoors with family and friends.

Man Vs Lakes (July 21st)

Even if you don’t intend to participate in this race, there is no denying it will be interesting to watch. Man vs Lakes is an adventurous marathon-distance running event that will take participants through the quicksands of Morecambe Bay, the mountainous countryside, the hills and the forests of the Lake District area, as well as Lake Windermere itself. 26.6 miles and a 3000ft ascent that are unforgettable and fun at the same time.

Ambleside Sports (July 26th)

If you’re looking for something sporty in the area, Ambleside Sports is probably right up your alley! With five whole hours dedicated to sports, this will make for a fantastic day out that the whole family can enjoy, from games and a climbing wall for children to grass track cycling and wrestling for the adults.

Of course, the cherry on top of the cake is the well-stocked bar, the food court with both traditional and more exotic food awaits you, and the amazing trade stands where you can find clothing, jewellery and sweets for sale.            

Hawkshead Agricultural Show (August 21st)

The beautiful English countryside is not just perfect to spend a few days relaxing in nature – it’s also fantastic to enjoy a variety of agricultural shows and fairs. Hawkshead will be home to one such show, where you will have the chance to visit trade stands and a horticultural marquee, as well as see horses, sheep, and more.

Grasmere Sports (August 26th)

Another popular sporting event is the 2018 Annual Lakeland sports, which is now celebrating an amazing 168 years of existence. Grasmere Sports will include events such as fell running and hound trails, as well as plenty of activities for children as well. Enjoy a delightful day out in Grasmere with your loved ones that you won’t soon forget!

Westmorland County Show (September 13th)

This event makes for an amazing day out! Not only is the Westmorland County Show one of the UK’s favourite shows, it is also enjoyed by more than 30,000 people every year and actually won the Tourism Event of the Year in the Cumbria Tourism Awards in 2015. There’s plenty to see and do here, from attending livestock shows to experiment the delicious chocolates, cheeses, gins and pies that the event has to offer.

You can buy your tickets now.

Heritage Open Days (September 6th to 9th and 13th to 16th)

If you’re interested in the country’s heritage and wish to learn more about it while holidaying in the Lakes, September will offer you the amazing Heritage Open Days. This is England’s largest festival of culture and history and brings together more than 2,500 organisations, 5,000 events and 40,000 volunteers.

This yearly event is not just free, but also a fantastic experience for the whole family. Explore new places, try new things, and learn more about England’s past! You can also check out this 2017 video which highlights some of the amazing things you can expect.

Peter Rabbit Tea Party (October 20th)

Perfect for both grown-ups and kids, the World of Beatrix Potter on Bowness-on-Windermere offers amazing tea parties with delicious sandwiches, sausage rolls, crisps and plenty of cakes. Every child will receive a present and a balloon and a guest will read the Tale of Peter the Rabbit too – you will also be able to visit the exhibition before the party, as that’s included with your ticket.

Visit their website to learn more!

Christmas Celebrations (December 9th to 10th)

Formerly known as Windermere Christmas Market, this fantastic event occurs each winter in Windermere. Always brimming with exciting things to see and do, such as the Santa’s Grotto and stalls with local produce, this is an event you can’t miss. These Christmas celebrations are also family-friendly and perfect for everyone, from the younger ones to the oldest members of the family.

There is so much to see and do in the Lake District, so it would be impossible to name all events and activities that happen each and every month.

Windermere is nestled at the heart of the Lakes and its striking landscapes and tranquillity make it the perfect location for holiday cottages and apartments, some of which are also pet-friendly. So, after a full day of exploring the area, trying new things and experimenting the delights of the local cuisine, we have the perfect base for you relax and unwind!

Our friendly team is always on hand to help, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you wish to learn more about our accommodation and what you can expect to find in Windermere.