to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Come and experience a food destination like no other when you explore Cumberland: a region of Cumbria which encapsulates city, coast and lakes. One of the best ways to get a true flavour of the area’s amazing edible offerings is to visit one the regular foodie events. Tantalize your taste buds and take a look at this season’s programme, offering plenty of options…
Events & Country Shows
Cockermouth & District Agricultural Society Show | 3 August 2024
There’s something for all ages at this popular country show. Expect a diverse day from livestock judging, vintage crafts, showjumping and a beer tent, to sheep shearing demonstrations and even Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling!
Taste of the Sea Festival, Maryport | 10 & 11 August 2024
Cumbria’s popular taste festival comes to the pretty harbour town of Maryport. There’ll be a producer’s market, live music, cookery demonstrations, food stalls, bar, fairground rides and kids activities. It’s free to attend and everyone is welcome.
Taste events continue into the autumn and winter with Taste Cumbria Cockermouth on 28 and 29 September and Taste Cumbria Christmas, also in Cockermouth on 7 and 8 December.
Photo: Tom Kay Photography
Dalston Show | 10 August 2024
There's plenty for everyone to enjoy a fun-filled day out, with events like extreme bike battle, terrier racing and ever-popular Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling. Tuck into the flavours of the region as caterers and speciality bars will serve up tasty treats to quench your thirst and satisfy your appetite.
Gosforth Agricultural Show | 17 August 2024
Taking place in the Western Lake District, this quirky event features livestock competitions, show jumping demonstrations, live music, sporting events for kids, racing sheep, along with trade stands selling a variety of products and delicacies to keep you fuelled for a fun day out.
Keswick Show | August Bank Holiday (26 August 2024)
Founded in 1860, this traditional agricultural show is one of the area’s oldest. Expect pony games, tug of war, fell racing, children’s pet classes and more. A marquee of home produce will showcase the work of local artisans.
Black Combe Country Fair | August Bank Holiday (26 August 2024)
This popular event is set in the stunning Eskdale valley - a great spot for exploring food & drink! Visitors can expect dog show awards, a vintage vehicle display, fell pony rides and fell racing. Other stands will be available to purchase local goodies including food and local beer.
Ennerdale Show | 28 August 2024
Held just one mile from the stunning Ennerdale Water, there’s plenty to discover at this traditional Lakeland show. Head to the industrial and produce marquee for locally made and grown items, then enjoy a locally brewed ale, delicious food and the creamiest ice cream.
Harbour Fest 2024, Whitehaven | 31 August 2024
Returning to Whitehaven's historic Georgian harbour, Harbour Fest 2024 will play host to an array of delicious street food and local food stalls, alongside a host of independent cafes in the town centre.
Festival highlights include Trigger's Teabreak, which invites visitors to relax with a cuppa and immerse yourself in the history and ritual of tea. If coffee is more your thing, the festival will also present new work from poet Emma McGordon, who has worked with the community to develop a project called Coffee Cuplets. Throughout the festival, snippets of poetry will be attached to coffee cups and dispensed by the Harbour's much loved coffee van - so don't forget to grab a cup to take home your very own piece of poetry.
The event is programmed by Rosehill Theatre in partnership with Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners.
Hesket Newmarket Show, Caldbeck | 31 August 2024
A wonderful day out for all the family, this traditional agricultural show offers a plethora of activities and attractions for all ages from pet dogs and children’s fancy dress to horticulture and the infamous Hesket Newmarket Terrier Racing.
Food Events at the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
Experience a different style of foodie event with a Fish & Chip train (27 September) on board the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. Enjoy a fish and chip supper and return evening train ride starting at Ravenglass travelling up the magnificent Eskdale valley. Their Pie and Mash train on the 18 October is not to be missed either!
Save the Date: Autumn Shows
There are even more events happening beyond the summer with more fabulous agricultural and country shows, including Loweswater Show on 1 September and later that month the Eskdale Show on the 28 September.
Farmers Markets
Still in search of a foodie fix? Make sure to check out the local farmers markets across Cumbria, with regular ones taking place in Cumberland. These small, intimate markets are an opportunity to taste products from independent producers who you may not come across otherwise.
• Brampton – Last Saturday of the month
• Carlisle, held at Carlisle Cathedral – 1st Saturday of the month
• Egremont – 1st Saturday and 3rd Friday of the month
• Keswick – Every Saturday and 2nd Thursday of the month
Hungry for more?
Cumberland is awash with delicious places to enjoy a bite to eat. From Michelin stars to more relaxed yet equally fantastic dining in one of the area’s many traditional pubs or homely cafes, you’ll be spoilt for choice on where to eat out.
If afternoon tea is more your thing, indulge in miniature savouries and cakes served on a tiered stand, all washed down with tea, champagne or your preferred beverage – there’s everything from classic country hotels to modern and quirky.
Sample the area’s breweries and distilleries, each producing unique ales, gins, vodkas, whiskeys and ciders.
No visit to Cumberland would be complete without sampling some of its excellent local produce. Perhaps best known for Cumberland Sausage, there are so many more producers in the region making everything from ice cream and cheese to pies, cakes and bakes.
For more details, itineraries and ideas to help plan a perfect culinary break to Cumberland visit visitlakedistrict.com/taste.
The Cumberland Food & Drink Programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is supported by Cumberland Council and Sellafield.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
Related
Comments
Comments are disabled for this post.
