The Lake District landscape acts as a natural outdoor adventure playground and there is something to suit all tastes, budgets and abilities whether you're a seasoned adventurer or are trying a new adventure for the first time.

With 16 sparkling lakes including England's deepest, Wastwater (which is also the location of Britain's Favourite View) and longest, Windermere; England's highest mountain, and some of the best of the UK's walking and cycling routes, there is quite simply nowhere else that you could find such a variety of world-class outdoor activities in such an accessible and compact a region - and all set against one of England's most spectacular backdrops. From walking, climbing, sailing, cycling and much, much more, take a look at what we have on offer to get your adrenalin pumping. for more info on activities and events visit www.golakes.co.uk.

Calender of Events in the Lake District 2011

Events happening in Cumbria. 4 Winds tipis like to promote events in our area so if you have an event you would like us to feature please send us the details (See Contact page).

April

Sat 2nd April:	TrailPlus Adventure Challenge - Grizedale.
Sat 16th April:	Damson Day. www.lythdamsons.org.uk
Sat 9th April:	Coniston 14 Road Race.
Thurs 21st:	Peter Rabbit Easter Egg Hunt The Fun starts at 10am visit the World of Beatrix Potter website for more details: www.hop-skip-jump.com Tel: 01539488444.
Sun 24th, Mon 25th:	Easter Egg Trail, Sizergh Castle. E-Mail: sizergh@nationaltrust.org.uk

May

Sat 7th May:	Lakeland Trails - Hawkshead.
Thu 12th - Sun 15th May:	Jennings Keswick Jazz Festival.
Fri 28th May - Sat 4th June:	Black Combe Walking Festival More information from South Copeland Tourism.

June

Thu 2nd - Wed 8th June:	Appleby Horse Fair. www.applebyfair.org
Fri 3rd - Sat 4th June:	Keswick Beer Festival. www.keswickbeerfestival.co.uk
Sat 4th June:	Lakeland Trails - starting from Staveley. www.lakelandtrails.org
Thu 9th - Sun 12th June:	Boot Beer Festival. www.bootbeer.co.uk
Sat 18th and Sun 19th June:	Great North Swim in Windermere. www.greatnorthswim.org
Fri 24th - Sat 25th June:	Woolfest in Cockermouth. www.woolfest.co.uk
Sat 25th - Sun 26th June:	Coniston Water Festival. www.conistonwaterfestival.org.uk

July

Fri 1st - Sun 3rd July:	Coniston Water Festival. www.conistonwaterfestival.org.uk
Sat 2nd July:	RNLI Allcomers Regatta on Windermere.
Sat 16th July:	Cumberland County Show. www.cumberlandshow.co.uk
Sat 23rd July:	Penrith Show. www.penrithshow.co.uk
Sat 30th and Sun 31st July:	Cumbria Steam Gathering. www.steamgathering.org.uk
Thu 28th July:	Ambleside Traditional Sports Day. www.amblesidesports.co.uk

August

Wed 3rd Aug:	Cartmel Show. www.cartmelagriculturalsociety.org.uk
Sun 16th Aug:	Happy 60th Birthday to the Lake District National Park! Watch this space for details of all the exciting events and activities to celebrate!
Tues 23rd Aug:	Hawkshead Show. www.hawksheadshow.co.uk
Sun 28th Aug:	Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show. www.grasmeresportsandshow.co.uk

September

Thu 1st - Sun 4th Sept:	Mintfest - International Festival of Street Arts in Kendal. www.lakesalive.org
Sun 3rd Sept:	Lakeland Trails - starting from Keswick. www.lakelandtrails.org
Thu 8th Sept:	Westmorland County Show. www.westmorlandshow.co.uk
Sat 10th Sept:	Thornthwaite, Braithwaite and Newlands Show 1.30pm - 4.30pm.
Sat 17th Sept:	Egremont Crab Fair and Sports including the World Championship Gurning Competition. www.egremontcrabfair.com
Sat 24th Sept:	Eskdale Show. www.eskdale.info

October

Sat 1st Oct:

Lakeland Trails, Coniston. www.lakelandtrails.org

Events in Detail

Damson Day 2011

Saturday I7th April 2010
Yet another Damson Day has come and gone, and this year as I drove down the Lyth Valley in early afternoon, I couldn’t believe what looked like a sea of heads bobbing around marquees, gazebos, refreshment stalls, or returning from orchard walks.

It was a perfect day for the event, and the crowds proved that. Sadly the blossom needed another week or so to put in an appearance but even that didn't stop visitors. There was plenty to see and do, let alone eat and drink.

Most of the food and craft stalls had a highly successful day, and the entertainment provided by musicians, childen's activities and the cooking and cheese making demonstrations were enjoyed. People watched dry stone walling, dog displays, tried their arms at archery and got a feeling of spring seeing the baby farm animals. There were Fairground rides and felt making workshops for children. Alpacas and sheep were on display and for those interested in damsons, lots of young trees for sale. Balloons and decorations added colour to the scene. The well stocked plant stall was kept busy, and the ice-creams went down a treat.

It was good seeing people meeting up with friends and relaxing on hay bales to compare news, or have their lunch. Damson Day is the forerunner of hopefully a successful crop of the fruit in September. In January the Crook Morris dancers of Kendal did their bit Wassailing round a chosen damson tree in an attempt to frighten away evil spirits, or to waken the good spirits of the orchards. It's and old custom and you never know, we could have a bumper crop as a result. A Sunday morning Church Service in a Marquee at Low Farm completed a happy and successful Damson event. We hope to see you all again next year.

The Westmorland Damson Association celebrate everything to do with the the Damson. Stalls and entertainment throughout the day. Refreshments available

Contact	Address	Info
Tel: 015395 68599 or 07766 774326 E-Mail: cjh@coyote-software.com	Low Farm A5074 Lyth Valley Crosthwaite Kendal Cumbria	Admission Price: Free to £5.00 www.lythdamsons.org.uk Please mention 4 winds Lakeland tipis when visiting or booking!

The 8th Dent Folk Festival 26th-28th June

The Dent Folk Festival is held at Buck Bank Lane near Sedbergh in Cumbria, UK. Note the festivals new site! Sedbergh is Englands book town, you can find full details of the local area a t www.sedbergh.org.uk. The festival now has on site camping.

For other accomodation in the area contact Sedbergh Tourist Office www.sedbergh.org.uk.
tic@sedbergh.org.uk, 015396 20125.

The new site is half a mile from Sedbergh on the A683 Kirkby Stephen Road. See the map below for the location, you can zoom in and out and move the map around for more detail. If you click on the sheep logo on the map you can enter where you are traveling from and Google will give you directions!

The nearest post code to the site is LA10 5LQ.

From the M6: Leave the M6 motorway at junction 37 onto the A684, signposted to Sedbergh. At the end of the slip road turn right if you came from the south, or left if approaching from the north. Continue on the A684 for approximately 5 miles to Sedbergh. Drive through Sedbergh on the A684 and on to the A683 towards Kirkby Stephen. You will come to the festival site half a mile from the Sedbergh on the A683.

From the North East: Use either the A1 and A66 from Scotch Corner to Brough, then the A685 through Kirkby Stephen to the A683. Take the A683 to Sedbergh, you will come to the festival site half a mile from Sedbergh on the A683.

From the Leeds/Bradford area: Follow the A65 to Kirkby Lonsdale then take the A683 to Sedbergh. The A683 Joins the A684 just out side Sedbergh. Drive through Sedbergh on the A684 and on to the A683 towards Kirkby Stephen. You will come to the festival site half a mile from the Sedbergh on the A683.

Great North Swim

Take part in a challenge with the difference and sign up to participate in the Great North Swim with the British Red Cross on 12 and 13 September.

This one-mile open water course across England’s largest natural lake, Windermere, is the UK’s largest swim of its kind and is definitely one not to miss.

In exchange for a guaranteed place we ask each swimmer to pledge to raise a minimum of £150* in sponsorship for the British Red Cross.


As a Red Cross fundraiser you will receive:

• online training guides.
• a comprehensive fundraising pack.
• nutrition and injury prevention advice.
• a free Red Cross t-shirt to put on after the event.
• contact with a local Red Cross fundraiser for advice and support.

Due to the cost of entry, each applicant will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £25 to secure their place.

If you are a keen swimmer looking for a truly unique experience, then contact us for further information.

Following the huge success of last years inaugural Great North Swim we are delighted to announce that the event is returning to Lake Windermere and is set to be bigger and better for 2009!

The Great North Swim is a one mile open water swim in England’s largest Lake, Windermere. Following its launch in September 2008 the event has already become world renowned, having been voted 5th in the Top 100 Open Water Swims in the World (posted on 10kswimmer.com, 2009).

The Swim will take place on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September 2009, attracting over 5,000 swimmers.

Start Time: First ‘wave’ of 250 swimmers to enter the water at 9am on Saturday and Sunday

Finish Time: Final ‘wave’ to enter the water at 4.30pm on Saturday and 3.30pm on Sunday

The Great North Swim will be a part of Great Swim, a new series of mass participation televised events, which will attract some of the best swimmers in the world.

Thousands of swimmers of all abilities will follow in the waves of the elites and take on the one mile open water challenge against the stunning backdrop of the Lake District National Park. Some will be taking part for fun, some to achieve personal goals and many to raise as much money as possible for charity.

The sight of hundreds of swimmers in the water really is an overwhelming spectacle.


The 2008 Swim saw top class talent from around the world take to the water including:

• Olympic 10k open water gold medallist, Maarten Van der Weijden.
• Olympic 10k open water silver medallist David Davies.
• Olympic 10k open water bronze medallist Thomas Lurz.
• Olympic 10k open water silver medallist Keri-Anne Payne.
• Olympic 10k open water bronze medallist Cassie Patten.