ULLSWATER VALLEY HOSTS SECOND BLOOMING WONDERFUL DAFF FEST!
This April Daff Fest returns to the Ullswater Valley for a second year. Enjoy a colourful series of that encourages everyone, both young and old, to delight in daffodils and enjoy spring time just as our local literary greats once did. From guided walks with Lake District National Park Rangers to garden tours, daffodil trails and a spot of theatre – there are plenty of reasons to visit England’s most beautiful lake over the next few weeks.
Highlights for 2017 include:
The Ullswater Yacht Club Easter Regatta from Sat 15 – Mon 17 April
In the first big regatta of the year, enjoy 10 races over 3 days on beautiful Ullswater
Old Herbaceous starring Peter Macqueen on Fri 7 April at 7.30pm
Sponsored by 1863 Bar Bistro Rooms, theatre of a green-fingered nature staged in Pooley Bridge Village Hall
Guided Walks from the LDNPA Volunteer Rangers
Five guided walks lead by the LDNPA Volunteer Rangers taking in stunning vistas all around the Ullswater Valley
Daily Children’s activities at Rheged
Daily drop in craft sessions for families on distinctly spring-like themes
Daff Trails with Ullswater Steamers
Ullswater Steamers have laid out a daffodil trail for you to explore between Aira Force and Glenridding/Pooley Bridge. Prizes to be won en route. Quiz sheet to download coming soon. For more details visit www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk
Walk the Ullswater Way
Take in a stretch of the beautiful Ullswater Way during Daff Fest. Stop off at Waterfoot Park and take a selfie on the daff-themed selfie board and share your pictures with the hashtag #UllswaterWay
New for 2017: Go Gold!
Organisers are keen to encourage residents and businesses alike to brighten up their window boxes, hanging baskets and doors with ‘daffs’. Whether you prefer paper whites, jonquilles or narcissi, show your love for the an Ullswater icon and go gold for Daff Fest!
Heather James, Chair of the Ullswater Association commented:
“It’s fantastic that Daff Fest returns for a second year. It’s always a challenge to predict when the golden hosts are going to make an appearance, while it looks like they may be on the early side this year, we really hope lots of locals and visitors take the opportunity of celebrating the best our valley has to offer over the three weeks.”
To find out how your business can get involved in 2017 and beyond please contact the Ullswater Association on marketing@ullswater.org
For full listings of all events taking place as part of Daff Fest 2017, please visit www.ullswater-daffodil.com.
ENDS
For further information or images, please contact Sam Bunting
on 07866 492 891 or sam_bunting@hotmail.com
Notes to the Editor
Heather James from the Ullswater Association is available for interview. To arrange a suitable time please contact Sam Bunting on 07866 492 891 or at sam_bunting@hotmail.com
Images to accompany this story are available here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hboxzsxc6z5zvra/AACBXvVYyelIZ_apP_m-rYFSa?dl=0
Full Listings for the Ullswater Daff Fest 2017
Sat 8 – Sun 30 April
This April Daff Fest returns to the Ullswater Valley for a second year. Enjoy a colourful series of events in and around our beautiful lake that invites everyone, both young and old, to delight in daffodils and enjoy spring time just as our local literary greats once did. From guided walks with Lake District National Park Rangers to garden tours, daffodil trails and a spot of theatre – make time to celebrate ‘daffs’ with us. For details of all events visit www.ullswater-daffodil.com
Fri 7 April, 7.30pm
Old Herbaceous
BY REGINALD ARKELL
dramatised by Alfred Shaughnessy
Part of Daff Fest 2017, sponsored by 1863 Bar Bistro Rooms
Pottering amongst the seeds and cuttings at the back of his ramshackle greenhouse in the garden of a Gloucestershire manor house is Herbert Pinnegar. Now in his twilight years, he’s full of memories and tales of a bygone era. In-between potting up and potting on, he recounts his journey from orphan boy to legendary head gardener ‘Old Herbaceous’ and tells of his friendship with the lady of the house, Mrs Charteris. Sown with seeds of gardening wisdom, this charming one man show is a love story – a humorous portrayal of a single-minded yet gentle man with a passion for plants.
Tickets:
Theatre ticket: £10
2 course pre-theatre dinner at 1863 Bar Bistro Rooms & theatre ticket £30
Book online at Ullswater-daffodil.com
Timings:
6pm: Pre-theatre dinner at 1863
7pm: doors open / bar opens
7.30pm: Performance with one interval
Venue
Pooley Bridge
Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2NH
Daffodil Cafe
20% off at Daffodil Cafe
Daff Trails at Aira Force
Sat 8 – Sun 30 April 2017
As part of the valley Daff Fest we have laid out a daffodil trail for you to explore between Aira Force and Glenridding/Pooley Bridge. Prizes to be won en route. Quiz sheet to download coming soon. For more details visit www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk
Family Activities at Rheged
Gnome Treasure Hunt
Sat 8 – Sun 23 April
Ask for a Treasure Hunt sheet at our welcome desk, then set off around the centre to find our mischievous gnomes and follow the clues to the treasure
20p
Paint a Daff Pot
Sat 8 – Sun 23 April
Join us in Create to paint your pot and get a free Daffodil bulb to take home with you. Plant the bulb and watch it grow in your finished hand painted pot.
Drop in family activity for all ages
£5 to £10 depending on pot size
Stained glass daffodil window decoration
Sat 8 – Sun 23 April
Join us in Create to herald in Spring with this beautiful daffodil stained glass window decoration. Hang your creation somewhere close to your window and watch your daffodil shine bright in the sun.
Drop in
Age 5+
£1
Ullswater Yacht Club Easter Regatta
Sat 15 – Mon 17 April, 2017
Ullswater Yacht Club is supporting the Ullswater Daff Fest 2017 at its first big event of the year, Easter Regatta from April 15-17. There’ll be daffodils everywhere in the clubhouse and winners will receive bunches of daffodils as well as their trophies. UYC is expecting a big turn-out for the event with visiting competitors from the RS200, Feva, Aero and Musto Skiff classes and there will be an exciting new format of ten races over three days. Visitors to Ullswater will be able to watch the racing from the lake shore at the Northern end of the lake. The first race on Saturday will not start before 12.30pm, with 10.30am starts on Sunday and Monday. For details visit the UYC website at www.ullswateryachtcub.org, ring 01768 486333, email honsec@ullswateryachtclub.org
Askham Hall Garden Tour
Tue 25 April, 11am
Tour the gardens at the award-winning Askham Hall restaurant, cafe and spa hotel, with a chance to see the vegetable patches where produce is grown for the kitchens.
The Grade II listed gardens are full of stunning features, including colourful terraces, a 230ft long double herbaceous border, unusual species of plants, formal lawns, kitchen gardens, woodland, meadows and ponds. Furthermore there is a huge orchard abundant with daffodils at this time of year. Take in the views down to the River Lowther and enjoy the secluded spots of the garden. Get even closer to nature with the Askham animal trails. Along the family-friendly route there is the chance to see shorthorn cattle, rare-breed pigs, boer goats, ducks and chickens. For the eagle-eyed, the surrounding area is also a haven for red squirrels, rabbits, badgers and pheasants.
The tour begins at 11am, so please arrive by that time. The tour will end around lunch time after which you will have time to relax or enjoy lunch in the atmospheric Kitchen Garden cafe, with outdoor seating and children’s play area.
Restricitons/ suitability: Only partial access for disabled. Dogs not permitted in the gardens.
- Askham Hall, Askham, Penrith, CA10 2PF askhamhall.co.uk
- Special price of £5 per adult includes the tour and garden entry – limited to 25 spaces
- Contact 01931 712350 or email enquiries@askhamhall.co.uk to reserve your space (advance payment required)
Nic’s Nordic Walks
Daff Fest Activities:
FREE 45 Minute Nordic Walking Taster
Thu 20 April, 3pm
Aira Force
Learn to Nordic Walk Course – Ullswater –
Wed 26 & Thu 27 April, 2-4pm
both days – £45 – 4 hours intensive tuition
Session 1 – Basic & Hill Techniques
Session 2 – Speed Techniques & Fun Walk fully understanding the techniques & gaining confidence on the Lakeland fell paths