Coniston Water Festival

An annual event celebrating the historical and cultural identity of the area, highlighting the rich and varied qualities of rural life.

Ambleside Rushbearing

A festival celebration associated with the ancient custom of annually replacing the rushes on the earth floors of churches - rushes being a general term for rushes, reeds and sweet smelling grasses. Once widespread, very few places now continue this tradition and, although the church plays a leading role, today Rushbearing is a community event. The bearings vary from large ornate devices such as hoops, staves and crosses to simple sheafs carried by children. Composed mainly of rushes cut from nearby lake shores, they are highly decorated with mosses, flowers and greenery.

Lakeland Rose, Garden and Craft Show

Competitive classes which attract the top exhibitors of Roses, Sweet Peas, Fuchsias, Geraniums, while our Floral Art Marquee offers displays of a magnificent standard. There is definitely the chance to see the very best of flowers and displays staged by the country’s top exhibitors and arrangers.   With Craft stalls, demonstrations, trade stands and displays plus a full programme of arena events.

Grasmere Rushbearing

Token rushes are carried on a special linen sheet, held by six girls (the Rush Maidens), dressed in green, while others are made into elaborate shapes (rush-bearings)and carried in procession to the church. Traditional shapes for rushbearings include harps, crosses, maypoles, and St Oswald's crown and hand (the patron saint of the parish church). After the procession round the village, and a church service, the rushes and rushbearings are placed on shelves in the church for a few days. Children are given pieces of gingerbread stamped with St Oswald's name.

Coniston Country Fair

This typical Cumbrian show, acts as a showcase for traditional Cumbrian skills and activities.  With Herdwick and Swaledale sheep on display, demonstrations of hand-clipping, various dog shows, a Horn-blowing competition, Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling, Fell Races and a Ferret Show.

Many traditional skills will be on show, including stickmaking, woodcarving, fly tying, beekeeping, slate riving, spinning and sheep clipping.