Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns is a unique creative venue offering an inspiring range of art, craft and heritage ‘Quirky Workshops’ and courses, from the C17th farmhouse in the village of Greystoke. Nestled 5 miles equidistantly from Penrith and the Eden Valley, and Ullswater, on the northern fringes of the Lake District, in beautiful Cumbria, north west England.
Rose Condo is a multi-award-winning poet and spoken word artist, who carefully blends poetry and prose to create live shows she performs with aplomb.
From £11.00
Our Tourist Telescope is set on the coast – more specifically, Morecambe Poetry Festival, back for a fourth year with an impressive line-up now spread over two venues: the wonderful
From £65.00
This spring, Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art presents Ali Cherri’s first institutional exhibition in the UK.
Free entry
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
Expect a jam-packed day of outdoor performance, live music, family fun – plus Preston’s iconic Torchlight Procession and fireworks finale.
Free entry
Blackburn’s Confessional Festival turns ten, celebrating with two days of live music set beneath the stained glass and vaulted stonework of Holy Trinity Church.
From £20
Take in the expansive views of the moorland as you explore four large-scale artworks, accompanied by a bespoke soundtrack created by Opera North.
Free entry
Beckstones Art Gallery in the village of Greystoke is a small family-owned gallery, selling a range of artists’ work, leaning towards the traditional.
A few miles north of Penrith, Hutton-in-the-Forest is an exquisite country house, described by Simon Jenkins as “one of Britain’s top 100”.
Upfront Puppet Theatre is located near Penrith, Cumbria and is one of only four authentic working puppet theatres in England.
A visitor centre off the A66, containing gallery spaces, cinema screen, artisan shopping and local produce, as well as cafes and children’s play areas.
Thacka Beck Nature Reserve is within easy walking distance of Penrith town centre, offering a quick retreat for local residents.
Boasting an array of hot and cold food including homemade cakes, The Yard Kitchen is a café with a distinctly quirky feel.
The menu, as you would expect is full of wholesome treats. All day breakfasts, soups, sandwiches and superfood salads are all served with care.
A gallery and studio space displaying works by local artists – including paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, jewellery and textiles, as well as gift items.
Close to the centre of Penrith, Bank House is a stylish family-run bed and breakfast, in a Victorian house with a traditional garden.
A blend of historic and contemporary gives Penrith its edge, ancient tradition sitting side-by-side with trendy wine bars, hipster cafes and fine dining.
Ruins of a 14th century castle, former home of Richard III. Situated in Penrith’s Castle Park, and managed by English Heritage. Free to visit.
September and beyond brings culture, theatre, disgusting history and loads of fun.
Chocolate fountains, beautiful batiks and medieval marginalia - this month's supersized Exhibitions Guide has it all.
The autumn leaves might be falling already, but the harvest is plentiful as the live literature scene gets back into the swing of things after a summer break...
This season’s theatre is gloriously eclectic: from radical cabaret and reinvented classics to new musicals and boundary-pushing performance.
Take some eating-out tips from our August guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.
This month we recommend a season of Film noir, cult Australian movies and a huge celebration of DIY community cinema.
"Tours, tours, tours!" If this month's Tours and Activities guide were a sentient speaking person, this is what it would say.
