Updated every week
What's on in Cumbria this week
28 to 2 October: the walk of the week, talks, gigs, gardens and gentler days out across Cumbria for couples, friends and anyone with free weekdays, plus every dated event from The Cumbrian Almanac.
Latest edition: Weekday edition, Sunday 27 September 2026. Refreshed 29 September 2026.
It's a week of talks, from Hawkshead to Ravenglass to Ambleside, and a couple of nights at the pictures in Kendal. There's a gentle riverside walk in Grasmere for daytime, and two chances to do some conservation work with Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
- 1.75km (about 1 mile)
- About 1 hour
- Start: Broadgate car park, Grasmere LA22 9TA
A level path along the River Rothay, graded 'for all' by the park authority, with wildlife spotting on the way, St Oswald's Church where Wordsworth is buried, and the gingerbread shop. Allan Bank is also in the village if you want a house and garden too. Weekdays are far quieter than weekends in Grasmere.
Broadgate car park is in the village, with Stock Lane as the alternative. The accessible toilets at Stock Lane need a RADAR key and cost 50p. Buses 555 and 599 run from Ambleside and Keswick.
Route details (opens the official page)
Mon 28 Sep, 7.30pm to 9pm
Hawkshead Grammar School Museum, Main Street, Hawkshead LA22 0LN
Tickets at the door or online, Adults
About the forgotten histories of the other boys who went to the school, in a talk of roughly 40 minutes with questions. There's one entrance step and the talk is downstairs. Drinks are provided and the schoolroom can be cool, so wear layers. Booking on 015394 36674. Details and booking
Tue 29 Sep, 2pm to 3.30pm
The Armitt Museum, Rydal Road, Ambleside LA22 9BL
Book via TryBooking, Adults
Members of the Ambleside Oral History Group tell of emergency services in the early 1900s, including a motor ambulance driver and a steam pump firefighter, with interview material on a 2015 rescue during Storm Desmond. Booking through TryBooking or on 01539 431212. Details and booking
Tue 29 Sep to Fri 2 Oct, 11.30am to 12.30pm
Sizergh, near Kendal LA8 8DZ
Free with garden admission, Adults
Drop-in tours of the garden and plant collection, but they depend on volunteers, so ask on arrival if they're running. Trampers can be hired, the paths are reinforced grass, and the terrace has two steps down. Details and booking
Tue 29 Sep, 6.30pm to 8pm
Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass CA18 1RQ
Check with Muncaster, Adults
Rob Baxter, senior archivist at Cumbria Archives, on a little-known medieval nunnery near Bootle and the family that ended up with its estate. Book on the Muncaster website or 01229 717614. Details and booking
Tue 29 Sep, 7.15pm
Brewery Arts, Kendal
Check the website, Adults
An Exhibition on Screen film, shown on the big screen in Kendal. Details and booking
Tue 29 Sep, 10am to 3pm
Hutton Roof Crags, Burton in Kendal
Check the trust's listing, Adults
Cumbria Wildlife Trust's volunteer day on the crags. Check the trust's listing for what to bring and how to sign up. Details and booking
Wed 30 Sep, 10am to 12pm
Kendal Castle, Kendal
Check the trust's listing, Adults
A morning of plug planting with Cumbria Wildlife Trust. There's a similar session on the Kendal canal path on Thursday 1 October at the same time. Details and booking
From Tue 29 Sep, 2.30pm to 3.15pm (dates vary)
Wray, Ambleside LA22 0JA
Free, no booking, Adults
A 45-minute guided walk round the estate perimeter, hearing about the Dawson family who built it. The route has hard slate and unavoidable stairs, though there's an alternative, and dogs on short leads are welcome. Check which days it runs. Details and booking
Thu 1 Oct, 7.15pm
Brewery Arts, Kendal
Check the website, Adults
A stage-on-screen showing at Brewery Arts. Details and booking
Thu 1 Oct, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Oxen Park Reading Room, Oxen Park
£5 suggested donation (cash), Adults
Local historians trace the old track from Hawkshead to Dalton, which has linked Furness farmsteads since the 12th century. It's a Cumbria Wildlife Trust local group talk and the venue is wheelchair accessible. Details and booking
The Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness · Free
Photographs taken in Morecambe Bay working with local fishermen, in Tessa Bunney's first exhibition in Barrow. It closes on 4 October and the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Organiser
Rheged, Penrith · £3, children 16 and under free
Work by 57 UK artists celebrating the beauty, behaviour, symbolism and diversity of birds, in Rheged's gallery. It closes on 4 October. Organiser
11:00 Holker Hall and Gardens, Cark-in-Cartmel · £40 adults, £22.50 children
A guided forage through Holker's parkland and gardens with The Forage Box, learning to identify wild ingredients and tasting nibbles made from them. It lasts about three hours, so wear sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing. Organiser
18:30 Oxen Park Reading Room, Oxen Park · £5 suggested donation (cash)
Local historians trace the ancient High Road from Hawkshead to Dalton, a network of tracks linking Furness farmsteads since the 12th century. A Cumbria Wildlife Trust local group talk; the venue is wheelchair accessible. Organiser
19:15 Brewery Arts, Kendal · £18.00, £17 concessions, £16 under 26s
Sandra Oh plays the title role in Martin Crimp's version of Molière's comedy, screened from the National Theatre. Rated 15. Organiser
19:30 Theatre by the Lake, Keswick · £16, £12 under-26s
A wordless physical comedy of mime, clowning and puppetry about an awkward office worker, his boss and a troublesome briefcase. Also on the evening of 30 September. Organiser
19:30 Cartmel Village Hall, Cartmel · £3 visitors, free for members
Kevin Grice tells the story of Brockhole, now 125 years old, drawing on the Gaddum family archives. A Cartmel Peninsula Local History Society talk. Organiser
19:30 St John the Evangelist Church, Carlisle · Free
A free early showing of the opening episode of The Chosen season 6, with refreshments and discussion afterwards. Tickets are needed through TryBooking. Organiser
19:30 Carlisle Cathedral, Carlisle · £25, £20, £15
Roger Sayer, the organist on the Interstellar soundtrack, plays his arrangements of Hans Zimmer's score, opening with pieces from Holst's The Planets. His playing is projected on big screens and there is a Q&A afterwards. Organiser
19:30 Parkin Memorial Hall, Pooley Bridge · Free
Lee Schofield of the Lowther Farming Partnership talks about nature recovery between Penrith and Kendal, for the Friends of the Ullswater Way. Organiser
Brewery Arts and venues across Kendal, Kendal · Tickets via TryBooking, prices vary by event
Three days of comic art in Kendal with exhibitions, talks, live drawing and screenings. Guests include Bill Sienkiewicz, the opening night is Asterix vs. Tintin: The Rematch, and Little LICAF has family activities. Organiser
Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre, Ulverston · £15 event only
A short weekend break of guided meditation and talks at the Buddhist centre in Conishead Priory, with time for woodland walks and the cafe. Accommodation and meals are booked separately. Organiser
Carlisle Cathedral, Carlisle · £7.50 entry, £15 with Moon View Tour
See Museum of the Moon after hours with atmospheric lighting and soundscapes, with an optional climb up the sandstone stairs for a view from height. Further Moon Lates run on 3, 9, 22, 28 and 29 October and 1 November. Organiser
The Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth
A weekend exhibition of original prints by members of Cumbria Printmakers. Organiser
Zeffirellis, Ambleside
Live music at the Zeffirellis jazz bar in Ambleside, listed on the venue's programme for 2 October. Book through Zeffirellis. Organiser
10:30 Holker Hall and Gardens, Cark-in-Cartmel
Learn Indian block printing with hand-carved wooden blocks inspired by the Holker gardens, then print a tote bag, apron or cushion cover to take home. All materials are provided and no experience is needed. Bring an apron or old shirt. Organiser
10:30 Theatre by the Lake, Keswick · £12
A guided tour of the technical box, wings and stage with a member of theatre staff, lasting about 90 minutes. Groups are limited to 12 and children under 16 need an adult. Organiser
13:30 St John the Evangelist Church, Carlisle · Free
A free early showing of the opening episode of The Chosen season 6, with refreshments and discussion afterwards. Tickets are needed through TryBooking. Organiser
18:30 Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass
A Friday evening open mic session at Muncaster Castle for local performers and anyone who fancies an evening of live music. Organiser
18:40 The Royalty, Lake Road, Bowness-on-Windermere
An evening of drag cabaret with international performer CeCe Monsoon, raising funds for Rainbow Hub. Organiser
19:00 Cooke's Studios, Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness · Free
A Theatre Factory production of stories old and new celebrating Barrow and its people. Free or pay by donation, but seats must be booked in advance through TicketSource. Organiser
19:00 Skiddaw Hotel, Keswick · £32 per person
A live salsa demonstration and beginner lesson with Keswick Salsa, with a tapas platter and a glass of sangria; no partner or experience needed. Book through Brasserie 31 at the hotel. Organiser
19:30 The Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere · £16, children £12
A silent physical comedy of mime, clowning and puppetry in the style of the old silent film stars, about a shy office worker and a troublesome briefcase. Runs for an hour with no interval. Organiser
19:30 Theatre by the Lake (Studio), Keswick · £16, £12 under-26s
An award-winning solo show about Elton John's 1980s libel battle with The Sun. It runs about an hour and a quarter with no interval. Organiser
19:30 The Sands Centre, Carlisle · From £29.70
Showaddywaddy play The Sands Centre. Organiser
20:30 The Coro, Ulverston · £23 standing, £28.50 balcony, including booking fee
A double bill of tribute bands, The Smiths Ltd and Transmission, playing the songs of The Smiths and Joy Division. Doors open at 7.30pm and the venue lists it as 14 and over. Organiser