At the far end of Cockermouth, on Castlegate, is the Quince & Medlar. This is a relatively rare (for Cumbria) vegetarian restaurant, and one with a national reputation, having twice won the Vegetarian Society’s “restaurant of the year” award. In a listed Georgian building, it serves organic wines and beers alongside its excellent veggie and vegan menu.
Experience the art of Abbot Hall in a hands on and creative way with their monthly Sketch and Stroll tours.
from £0.00
Lancaster Literature Festival, or Litfest to its friends, is rolling out its 46th programme, having created a variety of events for its audiences since 1978.
from £3.00
Step into the majestic Blackpool Tower Ballroom for an experience like no other. With stunning architecture, live music and treats galore, Afternoon Tea here is highly recommended.
from £60.00
Come face to face with SEA LIFE Blackpool’s hungriest resident. This unique experience gives you the chance to feed Phoenix the green sea turtle and learn about this endangered species.
from £75.00
This spring, Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art presents Ali Cherri’s first institutional exhibition in the UK.
free entry
Ceremony, religion and symbolism are the focus of the Baltic’s new exhibition from Newcastle-based artist Mani Kambo.
free entry
Poetry at the Dusty Miller is a now regular night with invited readers, organised by Carcanet-published Carola Luther and Judith Willson in the Coiners’ Room in the Mytholmroyd pub.
free entry
A new festival is born as Outer Waves takes over Invisible Wind Factory and Make Liverpool over two days this May.
from £49.00
Privately-owned Cockermouth Castle dates back to Norman times and is occasionally open to the public.
A luxury B&B in the Georgian heart of Cockermouth
A snazzy wine and food joint, with a lovely terraced beer garden.
Percy House Gallery in Cumbria is a contemporary art gallery which majors in painting, photography, and craft from local Cumbrian artists and makers.
Castlegate House Gallery in Cockermouth offers a changing programme of temporary exhibitions.
A theatre-cum cinema in Cockermouth offering a wide programme of touring theatre, music, independent film and events to townsfolk and visitors.
Independent hotel in an idyllic setting.
An historic and atmospheric country house complete with roaring fires and wood panelling and set in its own grounds.
Dramatic landscapes and beautiful wilderness surround this Michelin awarded restaurant and hotel.
A beautiful boutique hotel in the Lake District, near some of the region’s most stunning lakes and mountains.
Pastoral fine-dining in the Lake District at this Michelin-starred restaurant
Interactive optical illusion, for each visitor to immerse themselves in. This specialty museum in Keswick will baffle, surprise and amuse.
Eclectic as ever. You'll find inventive reworkings, world-class contemporary dance and Greater Manchester's inaugural Improv Festival in our guide.
We've got many a good time in store this month as we round up the best walking tours, cultural classes and makers markets in the land.
We've got laughs and we've got leftfield on the live literature radar this month. Something for everyone, from poets playing with form to short story writers looking long.
With these lighter, brighter days and warmer temperatures, it's really starting to feel like summer here in the North West!
Open air clubs, new festivals and long-awaited gigs. The North West's live music scene is heating up this spring.
Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.
Willow weaving, textile collages, digital arts and ecology - all this and more in our exhibition top picks this month
Live scores, midnight movies and the latest from Wes Anderson are just some of our upcoming film highlights.
