Things to do in March, in the Lake District!
March is one of the finest months in the Lake District. The bleakness of winter is well and truly behind us and the region is a riot of colour from daffodils, snowdrops and crocuses. The onset of Spring and new lambs is a real reason to be cheerful! Should you wish to pay us a visit for Easter this year (and quite frankly, why wouldn’t you?), here are our top tips on what’s going on across the Lakes…
A little opera is good for the soul:
For the ‘culture vulture’s’ amongst you, the glorious ‘La Bohème’ will be playing at ‘Theatre by the Lake’ in Keswick on Tuesday 1st March. Sung in English, it’s a treat for all. The story goes a bit like this: It’s a cold Christmas Eve night in 1940s Paris and a young poet, an artist and a philosopher are enjoying the festivities in their flat when there is an unexpected knock at the door…and so begins one of the greatest romances ever told in opera. The critically acclaimed Swansea City Opera will be performing Puccini’s spectacle accompanied by a live chamber orchestra.
For further information, see www.theatrebythelake.com
For Beatrix Potter fans…
Beatrix Potter fans are in for a real treat in March. From the 3rd, there will be tours around her home, ‘Hill Top’. It comes as part of the National Trust’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations in 2016 and this after-hours tour is perfect for those who’d like to learn more about one of the Lake District’s most famous literary figures. It’s a chance to have exclusive access to the house and get up close to items from the collection. There will also be time to browse the shop and a complimentary glass of wine.
For further information, see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hill-top
The Eden Valley Epic:
The Lake District is an extremely popular part of the world for cyclists – and is becoming even more so. For those who enjoy the sport, the Eden Valley Epic Cycle Sportive is a cycle ride which will take place from Penrith Leisure Centre on Sunday 6 March 2016. The route is just short of 60 miles and heads South towards Orton village before looping north to Appleby in Westmorland for the well-stocked half way food stop! The route then weaves its way through fantastic cycling lanes, via Dufton, Milburn and Langwathby. The roads are very quiet, super scenic and well worth the trip!
For further information, see www.epicevents.co.uk
Kendal Festival of Food:
For food lovers out there, there’s no festival better than the Kendal Festival of Food, which runs from 12th-13th March and is being held for the seventh time! A brand new feature for this year’s festival is a ‘Grow Your Own’ area, complete with its own potting shed, which promises a bumper crop of gardening stalls, informative talks from gardening experts, demonstrations, tips and advice for all those with green-fingered aspirations! Also arriving to the festival this year, is a vibrant celebration of regional artisan distillers… ‘Northern Spirits’ is an evening event, bringing together live music, platters of authentic local food and the very best in local tipples.
There will be more than 80 stalls of regional produce within the England’s North Country Market, cuisine from around the world in the International Food Court, an Ale Trail, the Brewery Arts Centre Beer Festival and a host of activities for families, all complemented by live music and street entertainment. What a treat!
For further information, see www.kendalfestivaloffood.co.uk