This year seems to be positively rushing along: very soon, the Early May Bank Holiday weekend will be upon us. This Bank Holiday weekend actually begins on Friday, 29th April, with the actual May Bank Holiday itself falling on Monday, 2nd May. If you are contemplating a mid-Spring escape, why not take one in the Lakes? This picturesque corner of England always has something for everyone to enjoy. Besides the great outdoors, bustling towns, pretty villages and hamlets to explore, myriad attractions both in and out of doors, there are also special events to look forward to.

Cumbria Life Sausage Festival at Muncaster Castle. (courtesy of www.muncaster.co.uk)
Cumbria Life Sausage Festival at Muncaster Castle. (courtesy of www.muncaster.co.uk)

Between 30th April and 2nd May, visitors to the Lake District can indulge in the Cumbria Life Sausage Festival, with special emphasis on what else but the inimitable Cumberland sausage: the longest and the best. There will also be a sausage eating contest, as well as the challenge of making the World’s Longest Sausage Sandwich. The fair will be held at the historic and haunted Muncaster Castle, where visitors can also meander through lovely rhododendron gardens and visit the Hawk and Owl Centre in its grounds.

If you love walking, why not participate in the Ulverston WalkFest? Ten days of walks are planned, but simply join in when you can. For more information, please visit the Ulverston WalkFest website. Some highlights include:

  • exploring a hidden woodland valley with former National Park/National Trust Ranger, Chris Berry, on an easy 4-mile walk covering both woodland and low fell at a leisurely pace
  • a guided 5-mile moderate walk to Birkrigg Stone Circle
  • a map-reading activity on a moderate walk using compasses and involving the measurement of contours and distance
  • the chance to meet alpacas at an alpaca farm
  • osprey viewing from the Roudsea Wood Nature Reserve with the Reserve Warden. (This last depends on the activities of the birds, of course!)
'Ospreys returned to the Lake District in 2001, after an absence of more than 150 years.' (Photo courtesy of http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-28878289.)
‘Ospreys returned to the Lake District in 2001, after an absence of more than 150 years.’ (Photo courtesy of http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-28878289.)

At Allan Bank in Grasmere, one of William Wordsworth’s former homes, the National Trust is also hosting creative afternoons, where local craftsmen come along on Saturdays until 16th July, to ‘get crafty and provide demonstrations and workshops in a variety of traditional crafts’. And on each Tuesday and Thursday in the late morning, until 19th May, visitors to Allan Bank are given the opportunity to ‘meet one of our garden Volunteers, learn what inspires them and find out about our work to restore the garden.’ (exploresouthlakeland.co.uk)

View of the house and grounds at Allan Bank, Grasmere, Cumbria. Once home to William Wordsworth and Canon Rawnsley, Allan Bank was rescued from the ravages of fire in 2011. (Image courtesy of http://www.nationaltrustimages.org.uk/filming-locations/properties/north-west/allan-bank-and-grasmere)
View of the house and grounds at Allan Bank, Grasmere, Cumbria. Once home to William Wordsworth and Canon Rawnsley, Allan Bank was rescued from the ravages of fire in 2011. (Image courtesy of http://www.nationaltrustimages.org.uk/filming-locations/properties/north-west/allan-bank-and-grasmere)

For Beatrix Potter fans, there are special Curator Tours at the Beatrix Potter Gallery where, until 27th October, ‘as part of the 150th Anniversary Celebrations in 2016, this unique after-hours tour gives you access to original Beatrix Potter artwork and the chance to pick the brains of our Beatrix Potter experts. Join the Curator of the Beatrix Potter Collections for a tour of the Gallery exhibition, discover about how Beatrix Potter was inspired to create, conserve and campaign in a life that took her from fashionable London to an idyllic Lakeland village.’ (www.exploresouthlakeland.co.uk)

Much of Beatrix Potter's original artwork resides at the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead. (Image courtesy of http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beatrix-potter-gallery-and-hawkshead)
Much of Beatrix Potter’s original artwork resides at the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead. (Image courtesy of http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beatrix-potter-gallery-and-hawkshead)

Well, these are just some of the things to see and do during the Early May Bank Holiday weekend in the Lake District National Park. Enjoy both indoor attractions and outdoor sights and activities whilst soaking in the exquisite charm and beauty of our Lakeland countryside. Come and stay with us at Blenheim Lodge, where your comfortable and pretty rooms will overlook this amazing scenery, and relax. Our DISCOUNTED TARIFFS for May Bank Holiday weekend starts from only £53.50 per person per night including breakfast in an en-suite room with Lake and fell views.

lake windermere from blenheim lodge, lake district
A view of Lake Windermere from Blenheim Lodge Bed and Breakfast, Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District National Park.

Blenheim Lodge . . . panoramic Lake views, peace and tranquillity, nestled against acres of beautiful fields and woodlands, in the heart of the English Lake District National Park.’

Visit our website: http://www.blenheim-lodge.com

Email: enquiries@blenheim-lodge.com

Telephone: 015394 43440