What's on in South Lakes

Tuesday 29 September 2026

• Talk: Life Before 999

  14:00 The Armitt Museum, Ambleside

  The Ambleside Oral History Group shares first-hand stories of emergencies in the Lake District before modern 999 services, including mountain rescue memories. Organiser

Thursday 1 October 2026

• Back to the Moon for Good Planetarium Show

  16:30 Grizedale Observatory, Grizedale · £13 adults, £8 children, family £35

  A presentation and planetarium film about returning to the Moon, followed by a look at the observatory's meteorite collection, including lunar samples. Lasts about 1.5 hours. Organiser

Friday 2 October 2026

• The Retrosettes at Zeffirellis

  Zeffirellis, Ambleside

  Live music at the Zeffirellis jazz bar in Ambleside, listed on the venue's programme for 2 October. Book through Zeffirellis. Organiser

• CeCe Monsoon presents Bold As Brass

  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

• A Brief Case of Crazy

  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

Saturday 3 October 2026

• Stevie Williams at Zeffirellis

  Zeffirellis, Ambleside

  Live music at the Zeffirellis jazz bar in Ambleside, listed on the venue's programme for 3 October. Book through Zeffirellis. Organiser

• Lakeland Motor Museum Monthly Morning Meet

  10:00 Lakeland Motor Museum, Backbarrow

  The museum's monthly morning meet, 10am to 12.30pm. Organiser

• An Evening of Flanders & Swan and Hinge & Bracket

  19:30 The Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere · £16 adults, £14 Friends of the theatre

  A tribute evening of witty songs and sketches from two much-loved British comedy double acts. Runs for 1 hour 50 minutes. Organiser

Monday 5 October 2026

• An Evening with Larry Lamb

  18:00 Brantwood, Coniston · £35 including supper

  The actor shares poetry, stories and conversation in John Ruskin's Drawing Room, after a bowl of homemade chilli (meat or vegan). There is a chance to meet him and buy a signed copy of his autobiography. Organiser

Friday 9 October 2026

• Historic Hawkshead Guided Walk

  10:00 Hawkshead National Park car park, Hawkshead · Free

  A 2.6 mile volunteer-led stroll past the Old Grammar School where Wordsworth studied, St Michael's Church and Ann Tyson's cottage. Grade 2, on pavements and good paths. Organiser

• Evening of Latin America at The Book Brewery

  19:00 The Book Brewery, Ambleside

  Tickets include three freshly made empanadas and samples of three Argentinian wines, plus an introduction to Latin American literature and a browse of the books, which are 10% off that night. Organiser

• MUSE and FOO's Double Header Tribute Night

  19:00 The Royalty, Bowness-on-Windermere

  Two tribute acts back to back: EMUS playing early Muse albums and In Your Honour playing the Foo Fighters' first five albums and best-known songs. Organiser

• Dark Sky Astronomy

  20:00 Grizedale Observatory, Grizedale

  A three-hour evening on moonless nights at Grizedale Observatory, with hands-on use of telescopes, the planetarium, meteorites and a robotic telescope, and a complimentary hot drink. Book through the observatory. Organiser

Saturday 10 October 2026

• Lakes in a Day Half Distance

  14:30 Rothay Park, Ambleside

  A waymarked 23-mile trail run from Ambleside down the western shore of Windermere over Claife Heights and past Bigland Tarn to Cartmel, with about 850m of ascent. Organiser

Sunday 11 October 2026

• Martin Taylor Live at Zeffirellis

  20:00 Zeffirellis, Ambleside · Main room £28, side seats £25

  Fingerstyle jazz guitarist Martin Taylor MBE returns to the Zeffirellis jazz bar with a set of standards. Organiser

Tuesday 13 October 2026

• The Trial of Romeo Oscar

  The Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere · £35 adults, £12 under 25s (other concessions available)

  Alan Ayckbourn's latest play is a courtroom drama in which an android is tried for murder. Runs about three hours including an interval. Organiser

• Yew Beauty! Guided Walk in Yewdale

  10:00 Coniston Tourist Information Centre car park, Coniston · Free

  A 2.7 mile National Park guided walk through the Yewdale valley past a limekiln, a bank barn, a 17th century cottage and a Victorian folly. Paths can be uneven or muddy. Organiser

• Harps North West

  11:00 Allan Bank, Grasmere · Free with normal Allan Bank admission

  A harp quartet plays folk, arranged pop, classics and new pieces in the Wordsworth study, with a chance to chat and try the instruments. Pop-up performances between 11am and 1pm; the room is on the ground floor. Organiser

Wednesday 14 October 2026

• Back to the Moon for Good Planetarium Show

  16:30 Grizedale Observatory, Grizedale · £13 adults, £8 children, family £35

  A presentation and planetarium film about returning to the Moon, followed by a look at the observatory's meteorite collection, including lunar samples. Lasts about 1.5 hours. Organiser

Thursday 15 October 2026

• Floating Sound Bath at Lakeside Hotel

  19:00 Lakeside Hotel and Spa, Newby Bridge · £45 per person

  An hour resting on supportive floats in the hotel's warm indoor pool while crystal and Tibetan bowls and a gong are played around the water. Adults only; arrive about 15 minutes early, and a waiver is required. Organiser

Friday 16 October 2026

• Hudson and Hudson: Married at First Sleight

  19:00 The Royalty, Bowness-on-Windermere

  A comedy and magic show from married couple Alan and Kat Hudson, mixing stand-up, sketches, magic and mind reading. Alan won Penn and Teller: Fool Us; both have appeared on Britain's Got Talent. Organiser

• Dark Sky Astronomy

  20:00 Grizedale Observatory, Grizedale

  A three-hour evening on moonless nights at Grizedale Observatory, with hands-on use of telescopes, the planetarium, meteorites and a robotic telescope, and a complimentary hot drink. Book through the observatory. Organiser

Saturday 17 October 2026

• Langdale Marathon and Half Marathon

  10:30 New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Great Langdale · Marathon £52.50, half marathon £42.50 (under 25s £26 and £20)

  A trail marathon and half marathon through Great Langdale, starting and finishing at the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. Race numbers are collected on the day and you can swap from the marathon to the half until 9.45am. Organiser

Wednesday 21 October 2026

• Building Detectives Walking Tour

  10:30 Townend, Troutbeck, Windermere · £10 per adult

  A guided look at traditional Lake District buildings in Troutbeck, including the outside of Townend and rare access to a bank barn on a working farm. Book on 0344 249 1895; meet in the courtyard 10 minutes early. Organiser

• Twilight Tales at Dove Cottage

  16:00 Dove Cottage and Wordsworth Museum, Grasmere · Children £10, adults £5

  A Halloween family session with hot chocolate, gingerbread and crafts, then Georgian dress-up and a chance to hear the Wordsworths' writing. At dusk the group moves into Dove Cottage for spooky Cumbrian stories. Book through Wordsworth Grasmere. Organiser

• Family Dark Sky Canoeing on Coniston Water

  17:10 Brown Howe Car Park, Coniston · £57 adults (14+), £52 children

  Paddle rafted canoes across Coniston Water at dusk, stop in a quiet bay for hot drinks and stargazing, then return by glow-stick light. Part of the Cumbria Dark Skies Festival; also on 28 Oct. Organiser

Thursday 22 October 2026

• Blawith Beacon Trek

  10:00 Torver Parish Rooms, Torver · Free

  A 7 mile volunteer-led trek over Torver Low Common and the Beacon, with archaeology, lunch at Beacon Tarn and views of Coniston Water. Expect boggy paths and steep climbs. Organiser

• Planetarium Show: Messengers of Space and Time

  16:30 Grizedale Observatory, Grizedale

  A talk in the lounge followed by a planetarium film on how real-time data is changing our view of the universe. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. Organiser

• Burneside Brass and Burneside Training Band

  19:00 The Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere · £10 adults, £7.50 seniors and children

  A concert of film and television favourites from a local brass band and its training band. Runs for 1 hour 50 minutes. Organiser

• Murder at Gatsby Manor

  19:00 Merewood Country House Hotel, Windermere · £49 per person

  A 1920s murder mystery dinner with a pre-dinner Prosecco, two-course dinner and a live Criminal Cabaret performance. Gatsby-style dress is optional. Organiser

Friday 23 October 2026

• Back to the Moon for Good Planetarium Show

  16:30 Grizedale Observatory, Grizedale Forest, Grizedale · £13 adults, £8 children, family £35

  A presentation and planetarium film about returning to the Moon, followed by a look at the observatory's meteorite collection, including lunar samples. Lasts about 1.5 hours; also on 1 and 14 Oct and 5, 18 and 27 Nov. Organiser

Saturday 24 October 2026

• Storytime with Gruffalo Granny

  Grizedale Forest, Grizedale · Free

  Hear the brand-new Gruffalo story and meet the Gruffalo, with forest crafts and games. Meet-and-greets are first come, first served, so arrive early. Organiser

• Shadows of Townend: Folklore, Fear and Farmhouse Magic

  18:00 Townend, Troutbeck, Windermere · £18 per ticket

  A candlelit Halloween tour of the 17th-century farmhouse with a costumed guide, on the Browne family's superstitions, remedies and protective marks. Two one-hour sessions, at 6pm and 7.30pm; the house has uneven floors, steps and a spiral staircase. Organiser

• Alex McAleer: Mind Reader

  19:30 The Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere · £18, under 25s £12

  A mentalist show of apparent mind reading, psychology and dry comedy with plenty of audience interaction. Runs for 1 hour 45 minutes including an interval. Organiser

Sunday 25 October 2026

• Arachnophobia at Zip World Windermere

  Zip World Windermere, Windermere · From £23, plus a £5 booking fee per order

  The Treetop Nets get a Halloween makeover for a two-hour family adventure with spooky theming. Parking charges apply. Organiser

• Half-Term Pumpkin Carving at Allan Bank

  Allan Bank, Grasmere · £5 per child plus admission

  Short carving sessions with pumpkins prepared for you, sharp plastic tools and a tea light to take home. Sessions run through the day, 30 minutes each; children must be accompanied. Organiser

• Top Secret: The Magic of Science

  14:00 The Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere · Adults £15, children £12

  A family show of science experiments and magic tricks that turns the theatre into a laboratory. Runs for 1 hour 40 minutes including an interval, and can be booked with a visit to the World of Beatrix Potter. Organiser

Monday 26 October 2026

• Halloween Crafting at Windermere Jetty Museum

  Windermere Jetty Museum, Windermere · Free

  A free drop-in half-term craft in the Learning Centre where children make a fish mask to take home. Also running on Saturday 24 October. Organiser

• On Your Bike Baffo

  11:00 The Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere · Show only: £10 adults, £8 children

  A cycle-themed clown show with silly stunts and live music, aimed at young children. Two shows, at 11am and 2pm. Runs for 45 minutes. Organiser

• Twilight Tales at Dove Cottage

  16:00 Dove Cottage and Wordsworth Museum, Grasmere · Children £10, adults £5

  A Halloween family session with hot chocolate, gingerbread and crafts, then Georgian dress-up and a chance to hear the Wordsworths' writing. At dusk the group moves into Dove Cottage for spooky Cumbrian stories. Book through Wordsworth Grasmere. Organiser

• Monster Mash Kids' Halloween Party

  17:00 The Swan Hotel, Newby Bridge · £12 per child, adults free

  A Halloween party for children with a UV mini disco, themed treats, games and challenges, and pizza and chips for the children. Costumes are encouraged and adults can buy cocktails. Organiser

• Nature's Nightlife Family Walk at Grizedale

  17:00 Grizedale Forest, Grizedale · £8 per person

  A guided evening walk listening for owls and learning about the forest's night-time wildlife, ending with hot chocolate and marshmallows round a campfire. Bring torches and warm clothes; no dogs. Also on 29 Oct. Organiser

• Talk at the School: Folklore and Spooky Tales

  17:30 Hawkshead Grammar School Museum, Hawkshead

  The director of Hawkshead's ghost tours, Tallow Tales, shares the village's horrifying tales, folklore and legends in a talk of about 40 minutes with time for questions. Refreshments provided; tickets at the door or on Eventbrite. The schoolroom is often cold. Organiser

Tuesday 27 October 2026

• Astro Norma

  11:00 The Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere · Show only: £10 adults, £8 children

  A musical quest with a piano and a lot of cosmic silliness to find Grandpa's lost star. Two shows, at 11am and 2pm. Runs for 45 minutes with no interval. Organiser

• Ghost Stories with Tallow Tales

  15:00 Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop (National Trust), Hawkshead · Adults £6, children £4

  Spooky stories and folklore told by candlelight in the upstairs room of the bookshop, with some audience participation and scares suitable for families. Book by phone on 0344 249 1895; the room is upstairs and not accessible, and the tales may start outside in fair weather. Organiser

• Twilight Tales at Dove Cottage

  16:00 Dove Cottage and Wordsworth Museum, Grasmere · Children £10, adults £5

  A Halloween family session with hot chocolate, gingerbread and crafts, then Georgian dress-up and a chance to hear the Wordsworths' writing. At dusk the group moves into Dove Cottage for spooky Cumbrian stories. Book through Wordsworth Grasmere. Organiser

Wednesday 28 October 2026

• Mary Poppins Relaxed Film Screening

  14:00 The Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere · £5 film only, £12 with light lunch; carers free (£7 with lunch)

  A dementia-friendly showing of the 1964 film, with the option of a soup and sandwich lunch first. Runs 2 hours 19 minutes. Organiser

• An Evening with Lee Child

  19:30 Daffodil Hotel and Spa, Grasmere

  The Jack Reacher author talks about writing, his collaborations and his relationship with the Romantic poets, in conversation with Michael McGregor of the Wordsworth Trust, to mark his new novel Chain Reaction. Books on sale, with signing afterwards. Organiser

• Screen Classics: Pat and Margaret

  19:30 The Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere · £10 including cheese and wine from 7pm

  A screening of the 1994 comedy drama about two estranged sisters, with cheese and wine served before the film. Organiser

Thursday 29 October 2026

• Cathedral Cave from Tilberthwaite

  10:00 Tilberthwaite Quarry car park, Coniston · Free

  A 4.4 mile National Park guided walk to Little Langdale, Slater Bridge, Cathedral Cave and Hodge Close quarry, on good paths with some short climbs. Organiser

• Claytime

  11:00 The Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere · Show only: £12 adults, £10 children

  An interactive half-term show in which the audience helps build a world from clay, with a hands-on workshop. Two shows, at 11am and 2pm. Runs for an hour. Organiser

• Ghost Stories with Tallow Tales

  15:00 Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop (National Trust), Hawkshead · Adults £6, children £4

  Spooky stories and folklore told by candlelight in the upstairs room of the bookshop, with some audience participation and scares suitable for families. Book by phone on 0344 249 1895; the room is upstairs and not accessible, and the tales may start outside in fair weather. Organiser

• Monster Mash Kids' Halloween Party

  17:00 The Swan Hotel, Newby Bridge · £12 per child, adults free

  A Halloween party for children with a UV mini disco, themed treats, games and challenges, and pizza and chips for the children. Costumes are encouraged and adults can buy cocktails. Organiser

• Nature's Nightlife Family Walk

  17:00 Grizedale Forest, Grizedale · £8 per person

  A guided evening walk listening for owls and looking at the night sky, finishing with hot chocolate and marshmallows by the campfire. Bring a torch; no dogs. Organiser

Friday 30 October 2026

• Bird Box Decorating

  10:30 World of Beatrix Potter, Bowness-on-Windermere · £6.50 per bird box

  A half-term activity in The Burrow where children decorate an acorn or oak-leaf shaped bird box with their own designs and take it home. No start time is listed on the page. Organiser

Saturday 31 October 2026

• Halloween Pumpkin Carving at Allan Bank

  Allan Bank, Grasmere · £5 per child plus admission

  Short carving sessions with pumpkins prepared for you, sharp plastic tools and a tea light to take home. Sessions run through the day, 30 minutes each; children must be accompanied. Organiser

• Animals! Family Performance

  11:00 Windermere Jetty Museum, Windermere

  An interactive show with Buzzard, Rabbit and Porpoise, original songs and plenty of chances for children to join in. Organiser

• Ghost Story! Halloween Late

  17:00 Dove Cottage and Wordsworth Museum, Grasmere

  A late Halloween opening themed on Gothic horror, with candlelit tours about the origins of vampire stories, poetry in the library, creative writing, crafts and a pop-up bar. Most suitable for over-16s, though families with younger teens and children are welcome; costumes encouraged. Organiser

• Shadows of Townend: Folklore, Fear and Farmhouse Magic

  18:00 Townend, Troutbeck, Windermere · £18 per ticket

  A candlelit Halloween tour of the 17th-century farmhouse with a costumed guide, on the Browne family's superstitions, remedies and protective marks. Two one-hour sessions, at 6pm and 7.30pm; the house has uneven floors, steps and a spiral staircase. Organiser

Sunday 1 November 2026

• Grizedale Growl canicross (West Side)

  09:00 Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre, Grizedale

  Running with dogs on marked forest trails, with a longer and a shorter option (usually around 10k and 5k). Registration opens at 8am and the start is at 9am. Entries are through Lakeland Paws. Organiser

Thursday 5 November 2026

• Back to the Moon for Good Planetarium Show

  16:30 Grizedale Observatory, Grizedale · £13 adults, £8 children, family £35

  A presentation and planetarium film about returning to the Moon, followed by a look at the observatory's meteorite collection, including lunar samples. Lasts about 1.5 hours. Organiser

• Bonfire Night at Low Wood Bay

  18:00 Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa, Windermere · From £12.50 per person

  A fireworks display over Windermere at about 7.30pm, viewed from the Gallery Lounge (arrival from 6pm, DJ and food to buy), the lawns or a two-course bonfire dinner. The display is subject to weather. Organiser

Friday 6 November 2026

• Dark Sky Astronomy

  20:00 Grizedale Observatory, Grizedale

  A three-hour evening on moonless nights at Grizedale Observatory, with hands-on use of telescopes, the planetarium, meteorites and a robotic telescope, and a complimentary hot drink. Book through the observatory. Organiser

Saturday 7 November 2026

• Christmas Paper Decorations Workshop

  10:30 Allan Bank, Grasmere · Free with normal admission

  Make festive paper decorations from templates by paper artist Emma Boyes, with materials provided. Two sessions on the day, 10.30am to 12pm and 2pm to 3pm; children must be accompanied. Organiser

• Windermere RUFC Fireworks Extravaganza

  17:30 Windermere Rugby Club, Dawes Meadow, Bowness-on-Windermere

  The rugby club's annual fireworks night with three live bands, street food, real ales and mulled wine. Gates open 5.30pm. Organiser

• Dark Sky Astronomy

  20:00 Grizedale Observatory, Grizedale

  A three-hour evening on moonless nights at Grizedale Observatory, with hands-on use of telescopes, the planetarium, meteorites and a robotic telescope, and a complimentary hot drink. Book through the observatory. Organiser

Tuesday 10 November 2026

• Harps North West

  11:00 Allan Bank, Grasmere · Free with normal Allan Bank admission

  A harp quartet plays folk, arranged pop, classics and new pieces in the Wordsworth study, with a chance to chat and try the instruments. Pop-up performances between 11am and 1pm; the room is on the ground floor. Organiser