What's on in the Lake District: September 2024

Summer may be winding down in the Lake District, but there certainly isn’t a lack of events in September with a handful of agricultural shows still to take place, as well as a beer festival, a harvest festival, and an apple show for those looking to get into the autumnal spirit.

September Agricultural Shows

The majority of agricultural shows in the Lake District take place in July and August, but if you missed those, fear not as there are still a handful of shows remaining, including the Loweswater Show on the 1st of September, the Lowick Show on the 7th, the Westmorland County Show on the 11th and 12th, and the Eskdale Show toward the end of the month on the 28th.

Each shows varies somewhat in what they offer, but they all exist to showcase the agricultural life of Cumbria, allowing farmers and traders to come together with entertainment and food to attract a wider audience. Please always refer to the official websites for updates and information as events can unfortunately sometimes be cancelled due to poor weather.

In Conversation with Sarah Hardy

For those looking to learn more about Arts & Crafts designer, William de Morgan, Sarah Hardy, the Director of the De Morgan Museum, will be giving a talk about his pieces. The talk is taking place at Blackwell the Arts & Crafts House on the 5th of September from 6-7pm where the current exhibition, Sublime Symmetry: William De Morgan, is taking place and features 60 pots, tiles and vases from the De Morgan Collection.

Heron Corn Mill Tour & Foodie Friday

The Heron Corn Mill will be giving a tour of the mill on Friday the 6th of September from 11.30am to 1pm. Here you will learn how the mill operates and will have the opportunity to purchase some flour following the tour. Be sure to stick around afterwards too for the mill’s Foodie Friday where you can purchase a selection of artisan breads for sale made that morning using flour from the mill. They also have a selection of cakes and pies available.

Bowness Bay Brewing Beer Festival

Bowness Bay Brewing will be hosting their third annual September Beer Festival from the 13th to the 15th of September from 12pm to 11pm on Day 1 and 2, and 12pm to 8pm on Day 3. The weekend will include plenty of craft beers, food, and live music.

Dalemain Harvest Festival

The Dalemain Harvest Festival is taking place on Sunday the 15th of September from 10am to 4pm. The day will include talks, activities, and guided tours. Visitors will be able to explore the importance the harvest at Dalemain and will get to explore the gardens with a selection of plant nurseries and craft stalls to browse, as well as an apple juicing display. You’ll also find tractors and Dalemain’s famous mascot, Philbert the Squirrel!

Hutton-in-the-Forest: Dog Show, Airfield Walk & Apple Day

Hutton-in-the-Forest has three fantastic events taking place in the month of September:

• Eden Animal Rescue Dog Show: Sunday, 1st September – Eden Animal Rescue has been caring for animals since 1995. The charity is based in Penrith and has a small team of staff and volunteers that rescues and rehomes cats, dogs, and small animals. Keep an eye on the website for further details of this event.
• Airfield Walk: Sunday, 8th September at 11am – The three-mile Airfield Walk takes visitors around the estate and the disused airfield, which was first used in June 1941. Dogs are welcome on short leads and adults cost £12 and children £2.
• Apple Day: Sunday 29th September from 10am to 4pm – Enjoy all things apple at Hutton-in-the-Forest’s annual Apple Day. Apples, apple trees, apple juice, crafts, stalls, games, and more will all be on offer! Entrance is £9 for adults and children are free.

BMF Lucky Cup Rally at Muncaster Castle

The BMF Lucky Cup Rally will be taking place at Muncaster Castle from the 13th to the 15th of September. There will be live bands, club stands, stalls, an onsite bar, food stands, and camping for those who wish to enjoy the entire weekend.

Little LICAF: Saturday

The Windermere Jetty Museum is putting on free comics workshops, which are designed for kids aged 12 and under. The event is taking place on Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 29th of September from 10am to 4.30pm and includes workshops with comic artists, face-painting, badge making, cosplaying, and more. The workshops operate on a first come, first served basis with the schedules as follows:

Saturday Workshop Schedule

• 10.30-11.30am: Workshop 1 - Marc Jackson
• 12-1pm: Workshop 2 – Matt Smith
• 2-3pm: Workshop 3 – Reetta Niemensivu
• 3.30-4.30pm: Workshop 4 – Kev F Sutherland

Sunday Workshop Schedule

• 10.30-11.30am: Workshop 1 - Marc Jackson
• 12-1pm: Workshop 2 – Pieter de Poortere
• 2-3pm: Workshop 3 – Tom Richmond
• 3.30-4.30pm: Workshop 4 – Patti Ramos

Taste Cumbria Cockermouth

Taste Cumbria Cockermouth will be taking place this summer on the 28th and 29th of September. Expect producers’ stalls, a street party on Market Place, a drinks tent with an outdoor picnic area with live music, a hot food court, cookery demonstrations, fairground rides, and children’s activities.

Green Man Survival: Training Courses

After their successful survival training course in May, Green Man Survival are putting on yet another two-day course toward the end of September from the 28th to the 29th. Here you will learn how to be self-sufficient alone in the wild and basic survival skills, such as: how to make a shelter, build a fire, where to find safe drinking water, how to forage for food, how to signal for help, which tools to bring and how to use them, as well as basic first aid tips. Book soon to avoid disappointment.

Ecology Gallery at Abbot Hall

Lakeland Arts is putting on an Ecology Gallery at Abbot Hall in Kendal, which will be on from the 28th of September to the 28th of December from 10am to 4pm Wednesdays through Saturdays. The gallery explores the local landscrape, ecology and the impact of human activity on the environment.