Breezy and damp Monday and Tuesday morning. Wednesday is the walk day. Rain returns Thursday afternoon.
Monday starts bright but cloud and rain spread east, with a blustery south-westerly on the tops and drizzle on the southern and western fells. Tuesday is wet through the morning, then clears from the north-west to sunny spells and showers. Wednesday is the pick: sunny spells, a few showers and a fresher north-westerly, with MWIS calling the middle of the week colder and calmer. Thursday has a bright start before rain arrives in the afternoon. Keep high plans modest; the valleys are the better bet for most of the week.
Sunset 6.38pm on Monday, 6.33pm on Wednesday, 6.31pm on Thursday. Full mountain forecast (Mountain Weather Information Service)
A week of good talks, from moths in Kirkby Stephen to a forgotten Carlisle riot, with Wednesday kept free for a walk. Evenings bring Mozart on screen, folk in Keswick and the moon after dark in Carlisle Cathedral.
Start: Tarn Hows main car park (National Trust), near Hawkshead LA22 0PW
Wednesday looks like the brightest, calmest day of the week, and Tarn Hows is at its best with the woods turning and a view across to the Langdale Pikes and Coniston fells. The path is smooth compact stone for most of the way, there are plenty of benches, and there are toilets at the main car park. The National Trust lends an all-terrain mobility scooter for free if you ring ahead on 07919 111620.
There are some short rougher stretches with steeper slopes, up to 1 in 5 in places, so take it steady on the far side. The lanes up from Hawkshead and Coniston are narrow. The 505 bus stops at Hawkshead Hill, about 1.4km away.
Sizergh, near Kendal LA8 8DZ; meet outside Visitor Reception Free (car park is pay and display, free for National Trust members), Adults
Volunteers lead a two-hour walk over the limestone grassland of Sizergh Fell, looking at prehistoric burial sites and Roman history, with views over Morecambe Bay. Booking is essential on 015395 69818. Wear sturdy footwear and bring waterproofs. Details and booking
Kirkby Stephen Methodist Chapel, High Street, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4SG £3 suggested donation, no booking, Adults
Entomologist Dr Howard Bell on the battle to keep non-native pests out of the UK. An afternoon talk from the Upper Eden group of Cumbria Wildlife Trust, with a short group AGM afterwards. The chapel is wheelchair accessible. Details and booking
The Beacon Museum, West Strand, Whitehaven CA28 7LY £5, Adults
Colin McCourt uses the paintings of local artist John Armstrong to show how the old mining community of Newhouses looked, lived and worked. Places are limited, so book through TryBooking. Details and booking
Brewery Arts, Kendal £19, £18 for over-65s, Adults
Mozart's comedy of swapped sweethearts, set in a 1950s seaside amusement park by director Phelim McDermott, with Gerald Finley in the cast. A good wet Tuesday evening. Details and booking
Swarthmoor Meeting House, Meeting House Lane, Ulverston LA12 9ND Check the listing, Adults
Friends of the Lake District on why dark skies matter for wildlife as well as stargazing. Tea, coffee and cake on offer. The hosts say it is non-political and all are welcome. Details and booking
Carlisle Civic Trust hears the largely forgotten story of the 1826 Shaddongate election riot, when hunger and hardship boiled over and soldiers were called in. Speaker Mark Costello. Details and booking
Sizergh, near Kendal LA8 8DZ; meet at Visitor Reception Free, normal admission applies, Adults
An hour round the garden with one of the gardeners, hearing what they are working on now and what is planned. No booking. Grass paths are reinforced, trampers can be hired, and there are two flights of steps down to the terrace by the Mirror Pond. Details and booking
Banqueting Hall, Barrow Town Hall, Duke Street LA14 2LD £10; BSL and relaxed seats £5; companion tickets free, Adults
A new mystery opera by Nwando Ebizie, brought to the town hall by The Forum on tour. There are relaxed floor seats with cushions and BSL seats with a vibrating bench. Box office 01229 820000. Details and booking
Quaker Meeting House, Meeting House Lane, Penrith CA11 7TR £3 suggested donation (cash), no booking, Adults
Kay Andrews from Butterfly Conservation on how Cumbria's peatlands can help threatened butterflies and moths, and how volunteers can join the survey work. Details and booking
The Los Angeles alt-country pioneers, all 12-string guitars and harmonies, touring their album September November. It's a standing gig. Support from Reuben Tighe. Details and booking
Carlisle Cathedral CA3 8TZ £7.50, or £15 with the Moon View Tour, Adults and over-14s
Museum of the Moon after hours, with low lighting, a soundscape and a pop-up bar. The tour climbs narrow stairs to the clerestory for a look down on the moon and the star-painted ceiling. Ring 01228 548151 for times. Details and booking
Mon 5 to Fri 9 Oct, 7.30pm; Thu 8 Oct 2pm matinee (captioned and BSL); ends Sat 10 Oct
Theatre by the Lake, Keswick £11 to £49, Adults
Hannah Khalil's new play from Helen Rebanks' memoir: three generations of women in one Cumbrian farm kitchen. It runs 90 minutes with no interval. The Thursday matinee is captioned and signed. Details and booking
Meet at the Lane Ends junction off the A590 (SD340842); transport to the wood Free, 16+
A day of woodland work with Friends of the Lake District on slopes that can be slippery. Bring gloves, a packed lunch and boots or wellies; the cakes are provided. Register through the online form. Details and booking
Free
Book ahead
Outdoors
Tip. Sunset slips to about 6.30pm by Thursday, so start any afternoon walk by 3pm. Most of this week's talks are cash on the door, so carry a few coins.