THE easing of the lockdown restrictions yesterday has opened up a whole raft of exciting activities to enjoy in the county.
Social distancing restrictions are in place, to enable us to enjoy the best of Cumbria safely. Please keep to the guidance to keep us all save and enjoy what the lakes and more have to offer. writes Karen Morley-Chesworth.
Here are 5 ideas for things to enjoy in July 2020:
1. Take to the lakes again
Ullswater steams begin their services again from Monday 6 July and on Windermere, the Windermere Cruises have two options to allow you to enjoy messing about on the water.
Ullswater ‘Steamers’ summer timetable has been published, covering sailings along the full length of the lake, with the welcome return of a shuttle service between Glenridding and the iconic Aira Force waterfall.
The attraction will operate its fleet of steamers on six daily cruises, with three return journeys departing from Glenridding and three departing from Pooley Bridge seven days a week, which – in accordance with social distancing guidelines – must be booked in advance. Click here to read more.
THE LAKE District, Cumbria’s most popular “paid-for” attraction will resume cruises on England’s longest lake from thisSaturday – 4 July 2020, with the new, “We’re good to go” seal of approval certificate from VisitEngland.
Windermere Lake Cruises resumed their cruises on Saturday (4 July) – click here to read more. However, they have also introduced a fleet of self-drive boats for those who don’t want to sail with others. And hundreds of happy families prompt extra Self Drive Motorboats to be made available to meet demand. Click here to read more.
2. Discover the motors of the stars & more
Lakeland Motor Museum re-open this weekend to provide a great indoor attraction for all ages to enjoy. To ensure the safety of visitor allowing everyone to social distance, pre-booking essential, with staggered entry.
The attraction successfully applied for VisitEngland’s “We’re Good To Go” industry-standard stamp of approval, enabling the Lakeland Motor Museum in Backbarrow, Cumbria, to open to visitors after three months. Click here to read more.
3. Take a Treetop Trek
Windermere-based adventure attractions Treetop Trek and Treetop Nets also re-open to visitors this weekend at Brockhole, The Lake District Visitor Centre – just in time for the summer.
Treetop Trek joined other outdoor-based attractions at a special webinar hosted by Cumbria Tourism recently, where reopening strategy and best practice were shared by 35 different local businesses, which specialise in the outdoor sector.
Capacity will initially be restricted to 25% to allow time to adapt to the new safety systems without compromising customer service, so booking in advance will be even more important to avoid disappointment. Click here to read more.
4. Live theatre back in Cumbria
Despite theatres across the country being in darkness due to the COVID pandemic, there is a little light of hope from our own Theatre by the Lake in Keswick who today have announced a creative way forward.
Despite its temporary closure Theatre by the Lake is announcing a programme of free artistic activity for their audiences and community: the TBTL play reading club, Cumbrian Creatives – a network for local artists, and a community exhibition which will reopen the theatre in 2021. Click here to find out more.
5. Visit one of our National Trust venues
The National Trust is begging to reopen some their gardens and parklands in England and Northern Ireland through advanced booking, including some in Cumbria.
A spokesperson for NT said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for you to visit the places you love, and enjoy the landscapes and nature we’ve all missed.
“We’ve opened more than 200 coast and countryside car parks in England and Northern Ireland. However, our houses remain closed. We’ve started to open some gardens and parklands in England and Northern Ireland through advanced booking.”
And there’s plenty more to do in Cumbria
This is just a little taste of what’s on offer. If you run a venue or have an event coming up, please share it in the comments below, email us the details and/or include it on our social media. We are here to help Cumbrian businesses and events promote what’s great about lakes and more. Email us today with your details.
